As conservatives, we strongly support Columbia's efforts to preserve the historic buildings of Morningside Heights. The university has in recent years been making creditable strides in this direction. We believe this is both good on general grounds of maintaining our heritage, and good for Columbia's ability to attract students and faculty.

However, Columbia must not allow itself to be bullied by local pressure groups, principally the Morningside Heights Residents Association and the Morningside Heights Historic District Committee whose interests do not always coincide with those of Columbia. The university needs to be able to grow and expand, and so long as this is done in an architectural style compatible with the high urbanistic standards generally prevailing in the neighborhood, this must be allowed.

As an example of Columbia's currently favorable record in this regard, we would like to record here our utmost approval of Robert A.M. Stern's new Broadway Residence at 114th & Broadway. As an example of what Columbia should not be doing, we note disgust and dismay at Bernard Tschumi's Lerner Student Center.

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