CORRECTED: The article was corrected on Sept. 8, 2025, at 8:55 p.m. CDT. It previously stated that program details had been announced in the survey email, but the survey’s purpose was to gauge student interest in a study-away program. Any proposed program is still contingent on New York State Education Department approval.
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Tiffiny Tung sent an email on Aug. 26 to Vanderbilt undergraduates with information on the new VU-NYC campus, as well as a short survey to evaluate student interest in a potential study-away program.
The email provided new details on a potential VU-NYC program, stating that campus attendees would receive full class credit, maintain their financial aid, be provided housing and have the opportunity to study abroad. As described in the email, one of the program’s most prominent proposed features would be a combination of in-person learning and “credit-bearing internships,” giving students the chance to get hands-on experience in their field of study. No programming for the VU-NYC campus is official yet, as any proposed program must be approved by the New York State Education Department.
The survey linked in the email included six questions. Respondents were asked about their interest in the program, when they would plan on participating, what would most influence their decision to participate, what types of internships they would most want to see, what other additional comments they have and if Vanderbilt could contact them should they decide to conduct a focus group. The survey’s overarching goal was to give Vanderbilt administrators an idea of what students would want included in the study-away program.
“Your responses will help guide our planning, partnerships, and support for Vanderbilt students interested in studying away in NYC,” the survey said.
Student reactions
In an email to The Hustler, junior Emma Schwarz shared that she felt the VU-NYC campus may lack overall appeal to the student body, as there already exists a plethora of desirable semester-long study-away programs, and most undergraduates only participate in one throughout their college career. When faced with the choice between New York and a foreign country, she believes students would likely lean towards a location across the border.
“When faced with options like studying in Europe or Asia, I’m just not sure how New York compares,” Schwarz said. “While I know they said doing both would be an option, I also think most students wouldn’t want to miss more than one semester in Nashville.”
Schwarz also expressed her concerns that the VU-NYC campus opening would harm students who decide to continue their studies in Nashville. Though she approves of Vanderbilt’s goals toward campus expansion and rise in national presence, she believes funding should largely be allocated toward active construction projects in the Nashville campus.
“At the time of the announcement — and to an extent, now — I worried that it would divert resources from the Nashville campus that I chose to study at,” Schwarz said. “I also thought about how many areas of campus are under construction, and it feels like they’re focusing too much on other ventures instead of the campus their students actually live on.”
Sophomore Thomas Turak shared a similar sentiment in an email to The Hustler, stating that the VU-NYC campus would serve only to take funding away from those at Vanderbilt’s Nashville campus. Along with the completion of their various construction projects, Turak stated that the current campus required multiple improvements before another could be built.
“Our campus here in Nashville is not perfect and has many areas that still need improving upon,” Turak said. “Many areas are still under construction, parking is limited, food has noticeably gone downhill and tuition is still some of the most expensive in the entire country.”
Turak also questioned the intentions guiding the expansion, stating that the VU-NYC campus’s benefits will likely go towards the university itself — not its student body.
“Instead of reinvesting the incredibly large endowment to help make Vanderbilt a better place, they decided to build another campus in hopes of luring more students in,” Turak said. “This will have no positive effect on the current Vanderbilt students.”
Other students have shared that they believe the VU-NYC campus will be a positive addition to Vanderbilt. Sophomore and New York native Layla Sheehan believes many students can benefit from this new campus, particularly due to its location.
“I do think this expansion is beneficial for Vanderbilt students,” Sheehan said in an email to The Huster. “The amount of opportunity available in NYC is just unmatched – and this program would give students more access to that world.”
Though she believes New York City would be a great place for Vanderbilt students to visit, Sheehan expressed that she likely would not take the opportunity to study there through the VU-NYC campus. Sheehan expressed her preference to complete a study-away semester outside of the country over one in New York.
“I don’t think I would apply for this program,” Sheehan said. “While I think it’s an amazing opportunity, I don’t really feel the need to go to New York for a semester. I think I would rather go abroad to Europe and experience something different.”
First-year Matt Casavant was initially surprised about the implications of the VU-NYC program on future incoming students and the format of the program itself.
“Growing up around New York, I truly understand how special the city’s atmosphere is in building communities of professional and academic success,” said Casavant. “However, I was still a little unsure of the operation behind the new campus. I really hope students cannot start their academic journey at any of these surrounding hub campuses, as I believe that will strongly impact the community atmosphere at Vanderbilt.”
However, Casavant also expressed excitement for the new opportunities that the VU-NYC program may bring for various career-related internships in leading industries such as business.
“I could see the significant benefits for students wanting to enter business or other tech-related fields that are prominent in the New York City area,” said Casavant. “I think this would be especially helpful in their upperclassman years after they’ve established a baseline that will allow them to fulfill and gain internships that ultimately lead to jobs and further experiential opportunities.”
