Project Silences
Enthralled in this project, I encountered a challenging obstacle in sourcing recent and historical data on Westinghouse. Despite the daunting task, I persisted in my efforts, diligently seeking information that would offer a comprehensive understanding of the institution's academic, social, cultural, and economic facets. Yet, the information at my disposal only provided glimpses, leaving many questions unanswered, covered in archival silence.
Confronted with these archival silences, my project felt somewhat incomplete. However, upon its completion, I came to view the absence of answers as a revelation. It beckons a contemplative exploration, inviting me and the audience to consider why certain information remains beyond public access. Is it deliberately concealed, indicative of deeper underlying issues going beyond the walls of Westinghouse? Or perhaps it is simply a matter of neglect, where the significance of preserving such data went unrecognized?
This project has created a profound appreciation for the art of archival collection, underscoring the vital role of these exhibits in forging connections and unearthing seemingly forgotten narratives. Through these curated narratives, the richness of stories and histories is preserved and made accessible to all who seek to bring noise to their silence.
Silent Conclusion
With my project, I sought to understand the impact of NYU and Metrotech on Westinghouse across these various facets. I aimed to verify whether NYU's involvement was beneficial or detrimental to Westinghouse and explore avenues for further improvement.
Although I gained valuable insights from the available information, silences remained, leaving critical questions that still need to be answered. Without this context, I can only make inferences about Westinghouse and the involvement NYU has with them. Nevertheless, through research, I uncovered a palpable influence from NYU, particularly noting the past partnership of the YES program between Westinghouse and Polytechnic, which is now integrated into NYU. However, this once flourishing collaboration has dwindled into what is now the Articulation Agreement, offering minimal support to Westinghouse. Restructuring this agreement into a more nurturing program similar to the successful model observed in the case study at UMBC could bring significant improvements to the school and the neighborhood of MetroTech.
Such an adjustment could pave the way for Westinghouse to reclaim its former prestige and enable students to surpass expectations once again. While various challenges contribute to Westinghouse's struggles, proactive measures such as increased involvement from NYU or alternative universities and expanded school funding could alleviate these issues. While that is easier said than done, it is essential to make changes to prevent the school and its students from descending into despair. If change isn't enacted and the school faces permanent closure, I aspire for my project to stand as a living archive, preserving the school's rich history and documenting its evolution, pitfalls, and triumphs.