University to sell Briarcliff Campus in coming years

Over the next few years, the University plans to sell off the Briarcliff campus, with the help of real estate firm Newmark Knight Frank, as part of their five year Strategic Plan.

According to the University's website, the offices and residence halls currently located on the Briarcliff campus will be gradually moved to the main PLV campus, which will undergo an expansion.

"The regulatory approval process and the work required to consolidate the two campuses should take four to five years if all goes well," Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Bill McGrath said.

Junior Michael Oleaga, who lives in one of the Briarcliff campus residence halls, said he only found out about the sale through his involvement in PLV's campus newspaper, The Paw Print, and because he "attend[s] the Student Association meetings" and has heard University President Stephen J. Friedman and McGrath speak about it. "I bet there are many [students] that still have no clue about [the sale]," Oleaga said.

McGrath said the move will "provide a stronger sense of community and campus life."

While the sale is sure to bring in some profit for the school, McGrath explained that it is mostly for the sake of student life. "The sale is a component of the campus master plan which is all about improving student life and making Pace more attractive and competitive," he said.

McGrath also noted, "Surveys and anecdotal feedback from students indicate a strong preference to be on campus in Pleasantville."

He continued to explain, "And obviously walking to class rather than driving or taking a shuttle bus is much more convenient."

Oleaga disagreed about students' preference for living on campus. "I believe there are reasons students choose to move to Briarcliff instead of Pleasantville," he said. "I've lived in three different dorms in Briarcliff since my freshman year and absolutely prefer being on this campus."

Oleaga said he thinks adding residence halls at the main PLV campus will make it "cramped," whereas having residence halls at the Briarcliff campus offers students "an escape from everything" and a "much more peaceful and quiet" environment.

McGrath explained that they have just begun the process of putting the campus on the market. "I will not speculate on potential buyers or uses for the property, [but] I can tell you that it is a beautiful property with great potential," he said.

The University originally purchased the campus from Briarcliff College in 1977. University alumna Susanne Villemarrette, who was originally a Briarcliff College student, said she was one of only about 50 girls from the all female college who stayed when her school was bought by the University and became co-educational.

"Dow Hall was beautiful. I hope [whoever buys the campus doesn't] tear it down," Villemarrette said.