BREAKING: Manhole Fire on 7th St. and 2nd Ave.

 

There’s some kind of fire with plenty of nasty-looking smoke on the corner of 2nd Ave and 7th St right now. Dennis Crowley tweeted this photo a little while ago. You might want to avoid that block on your way to class, but we know lots of you live right around there, so if you’re watching this from your window tweet at us or send your photos to tips@nyulocal.com.

At 9:32am, EV Grieve said they heard four fire trucks were on the scene.

10:24: EV Grieve has more photos. 2nd Avenue near the smoking manhole is closed off.


A Hurricane Might Hit Us On Move-In Day (UPDATED)

You might be worrying about ominous, even apocalyptic reports of Hurricane Irene, a Category 3 juggernaut barreling straight toward New York. At this point, it’s still in the Bahamas, but after a quick jaunt through North Carolina’s Outer Banks, there is a distinct possibility that it could hit New York on Sunday.

Unfortunately, freshman move-in day is this Sunday, and as a result, NYU Housing is going to accommodate impending travel delays by [UPDATED - please see below] changing freshman move-in to Monday. If freshmen are in the New York area on Sunday, unfortunately they will not be able to move in until Monday. The following is a statement from John Beckman, Vice President of Public Affairs:

“NYU has been following reports about Hurricane Irene closely. Because of its predicted arrival in New York City on Sunday, NYU has changed Move-In Day — originally schedule for Sunday, Aug 28 — to Monday, Aug 29. We believe this is the best course for ensuring the safety of our new and returning students.  We have begun the process of notifying students and families, and alerting city agencies and neighbors to this change.”

Additionally, there will be an email sent out to students shortly, which is attached after the break.

Read more…


GSOC Demands Union Recognition Outside Bobst (Again)

If you’re curious about the noise (and balloons) outside Bobst today, it’s the Graduate Student Organizing Committee (GSOC) loudly demanding that NYU recognize their union UAW Local 2110. As you might have remembered while studying for mid-terms last year, this is not the first time they’ve rallied near or inside Bobst. According to this declaration on the union website, GSOC/UAW Local 2110 in April presented NYU with their official certification and “requested that the NYU administration voluntarily recognize GSOC/UAW Local 2110 as the union for ALL graduate employees at NYU”:

We are demanding voluntary recognition from NYU in order to correct an injustice that has gone on for too many years. Over the past decade, the majority of NYU graduate employees have consistently chosen GSOC/UAW for union representation. But time and again, the university has blatantly ignored our preferences and denied our rights. Like any other workers, we want a union so that we can bargain collectively around wage, benefit and workplace issues, and achieve security and stability in the workplace.


Bobst “Phase II” Renovations to Begin Next Month

NYU announced last week that the “Phase II” of Bobst renovations, which will cost more than $10-million, are scheduled to begin immediately after the semester ends next month. According to current plans, floors four and five will be modified into a “research commons for a 21st century scholarship.”

What exactly does that mean? Apparently, that’s just a fancy way of saying “less depressing study space.” According to this press release, the new commons will:

  • Restore the best aspects of architect Philip Johnson’s late 1960′s design to provide visually attractive and stimulating spaces, especially views and natural light, amid open stacks.
  • Create a range and mix of reader spaces that foster quiet individual work; group study; collaborative work; and efficient use of technology.
  • Situate staff and services for optimal interaction with readers, and for staff effectiveness.
  • Enable efficient way-finding and reader self-sufficiency.
  • Improve lighting, acoustics, HVAC, access to electrical outlets, furnishings and traffic patterns to maximize reader comfort and productivity.

Read more…


Students Evacuated from Gallatin

1Lily Q is reporting that students are being evacuated from the Gallatin building at 715 Broadway. It’s unclear whether this is a simple fire drill or not. We’ll update with more info as it comes in.

UPDATE: There are fire trucks on the scene. Staff writer Andy Heriaud sends this photo:

Read more…


NYU May Expand No Smoking Areas

no smokingSmoking in dorm courtyards was banned last month, forcing none-too-pleased students onto the streets for their 2am smoke. Now, NYU may start insisting that you and your cigarettes back further away, filthy peasants. The possibility of imposing a 15 foot restraining order of sorts between smokers and NYU building entrances, exits and air vents is currently on the table Incendiary download.

We’ll get a little bit of pro/con going on this idea in upcoming posts and [hopefully] in the comments. For now though, submit your thoughts and suggestions to NYU on this website and vote in our poll.


L Train Delayed After Person Killed at 1st Ave Station

Before you start bitching about L train delays, Gothamist is reporting that someone jumped in front of the train this morning and is now dead Mad the download. According to the MTA, “Due to a police investigation at the 1st Avenue Station, there is no L train service in both directions between the Bedford Avenue Station and the 8th Avenue Station. Please expect delays in L train service at this time.” That means Williamsburg commuters are stuck on campus; expect the campus hipster level to stagnate until the MTA gets this resolved.

Update: 1010wins.com (and NYU Local reader Chris Kennedy) reports that “train service on the line, which was suspended for nearly 1 1/2 hours in both directions, has resumed.” A 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at the 1st Ave. Station. (via Gawker)


No Water At Kimmel

City Editor Kenny Hsu tells us there’s currently a water outage at Kimmel. Anyone in the building to provide an update?. Sweet insanity download


Is James Franco in Queer Cinema 101?

james franco in milkA tipster reports that James Franco is taking Queer Cinema, an undergraduate course in the Tisch Cinema Studies department Without a paddle natures calling download. Franco was said to have set off a mild frenzy when he showed up at the department floor. (Surprising, seeing as NYU students usually try to play it cool with, “Haley Joel Osmont? He’s actually a really sweet guy… I smoked with him once.”) His name is on the roster as James Edward Franco, though we’re told he already missed his first class. Franco – get it together.

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Three Fire Trucks Outside of Kimmel

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