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NYU Adds Screens To Library To Prevent Student Suicides
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Aug 19, 2012
Modified Aug 19, 2012
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Aug 19, 2012
Modified Aug 19, 2012
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New York University has added gold screens resembling digital pixels to the atrium of Bobst Library as a preventative measure against suicides. Three students have jumped to their deaths in the library since 2003, and the renovation goes further than the eight foot plexiglass barriers that weren't able to keep Andrew Williamson-Noble from killing himself in 2009.
The Times reports that Joel Sanders Architect was tapped for the project of enclosing the atrium, which was initially called "One of New York's most spectacular architectural experiences" when the library opened in 1973. “The whole idea was to come up with something sympathetic to the Philip Johnson design while being in and of today,” NYU's director of construction management told the paper. “We didn’t want something that would have been hip 40 years ago.”
The last NYU student to commit suicide was a Recorded Music student back in February.
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student suicide
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Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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