President Obama recently called the whole nation’s attention to the rapidly changing character and affordability of Morningside Heights during the ServiceNation Presidential Candidate Forum, saying: “The neighborhood has changed. When I came here in 1980, you know, some of the apartments around here didn’t look quite what they look like now. And I could afford them then.” To me, this came across as a surprisingly candid moment, more than just a passing thought or idle chatter. Furthermore, I couldn’t help wondering if there was a degree of self-criticism implicit in those remarks. President Obama was, after all, a tiny part of the decades-long process that has resulted not only in higher market prices for M’side rents, but also the first-class education of many wonderful leaders like himself. This tension between progress and preservation was a very poignant topic for a discussion on the nature of service, for it raises the question: how are we serving our local community, which has sacrificed so much so that we might succeed? That question seems almost prophetic in light of the latest developments with the approaching Manhattanville expansion.

At a recent University Senate meeting, President Bollinger stated, “We are making the case that part of the stimulus package would be well-spent on Manhattanville,” according to a February 10 Spectator article. The stimulus package that he refers to is, of course, the famous American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which was President Obama’s first legislative priority upon taking office to shore up our collapsing economy. The job creation that the act was designed to generate would allow for more lasting GDP growth that isn’t completely negated by inflation and thrift. The problem, of course, is finding enough so-called “shovel-ready” jobs, and Bollinger is arguing that the over $6-billion Manhattanville expansion is one such shovel-ready project.

There are many in the local community who would disagree with Bollinger’s assertion. For one thing, the Community Board voted almost unanimously against the project. As of now, the Singh family, Nick Sprayregan, and Ramon Diaz are the three remaining business owners in the expansion zone whose property may be taken by eminent domain, if New York State and Columbia have their way. But there are legal challenges to the state’s asserted right that must still be settled in court before Columbia can start building on these properties. The Revised General Project Plan from Columbia and the Empire State Development Corporation calls for the seizure of both the Singh family gas station and Floridita restaurant in the first phase of the project, Phase 1 stage 1, from 2008-2015. One possible dilemma here is that the Singhs haven’t lost their ongoing legal challenge to the state’s use of eminent domain, and there is no set time line for the court’s decision, which must predate any seizure or demolition. Another issue is that Floridita restaurant has a legal right to remain on the property until 2015, when its lease runs out with Columbia.

Now, there may yet be a good explanation as to how Columbia plans to overcome these legal challenges in a way that would still qualify the project as “shovel-ready.” So far, unfortunately, they are either unwilling or unable to provide us with any such reasoning, which leads me to my main critique: transparency. According to the president’s stimulus Web site, transparency and accountability are paramount in the administering of our tax dollars. It says: “We cannot overstate the importance of this effort. We are asking the American people to trust their government with an unprecedented level of funding to address the economic emergency. In return, we must prove to them that their dollars are being invested in initiatives and strategies that make a difference in their communities and across the country.”

The fact is that right now, no one knows anything about Columbia’s specific plans to receive stimulus funds, except that they exist. The administration has kept mum, coyly refusing to confirm or deny the existence of their application, or tell us what agencies are involved. Local politicians that might have kept them accountable are being kept in the dark. And ultimately, in the current economic climate, no one knows whether the Revised General Project Plan (which was supposed to begin last year) is even still economically viable. No matter what your position on the expansion may be, surely we can all agree to hold our university to the same standards to which we hold our government. We have a right to know about and participate in a process which, after all, is being carried out in our names.

The Student Coalition on Expansion and Gentrification does not oppose Columbia seeking stimulus money for the expansion. We do, however, oppose them doing so in a nontransparent way. By doing so, Columbia would be going against the paramount goal of its alumnus-president, just months after he so tactfully reminded us of that balance between progress and service. Ultimately, Columbia is defined by its affiliates and vice-versa. Whether we like it or not, as students, people will judge us based on our school’s actions. So let’s show the whole city that Columbia still cares about the principles of transparency and accountability. Let’s do some service to our community. Please join us in a student-community rally, this Saturday, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the Sundial, to say, “No blank checks for the expansion.” A petition will be circulating to demand a meeting with the administration, which has ignored our repeated requests for a meeting to discuss these issues. Come, rally, and be heard!

The author is a student in the School of General Studies majoring in political science and sustainable development. He is a member of the Student Coalition on Expansion and Gentrification.