Fisk University
As Fisk University faces community pushback related to a data center planned for its campus, Meharry Medical College is expressing support for the proposed facility to be undertaken at its fellow North Nashville-based historically Black institution of higher education.
Meharry President and CEO James Hildreth sent a letter to students, staff and faculty of the college on June 18, addressing Fisk’s proposal for a 70,000-square-foot data center to be located on the southern end of the university’s campus.
“I have spoken with Dr. Agenia Clark, president and CEO of Fisk, and she has assured me the university is collaborating with Metro Nashville and adhering to all necessary rules and regulations related to the data center,” Hildreth wrote in the letter.
“Since its founding in 1866, Fisk has been one of the most impactful institutions in Nashville and the nation. From its location along the Jefferson Street corridor of higher learning, Fisk has been an anchor for North Nashville and a faithful center of excellence, nurturing and producing generations of professionals and civic leaders. Fisk has both built and protected North Nashville through periods of growth and challenge. The Fisk Innovation Center holds great promise to benefit both Fisk and the community for generations.”
The data center is a part of Fisk’s $1 billion campus master plan, called “Quantum Leap.” The center would be a part of a larger student innovation center, proposed to also offer 30,000 square feet of space dedicated for student use. Fisk has maintained that the center is a part of an effort to ensure students are not left behind as technology, particularly AI, rapidly develops.
“Fisk has always been a good neighbor to Meharry, and we trust that it has done and will continue to do its due diligence as it develops its plans for the center,” Hildreth continued in the letter.
“We look forward to working with Fisk and all stakeholders to ensure this initiative is good for the community and achieves its intended purpose to close the digital divide that is leaving many of our residents behind."
Nashvillians continue to fiercely oppose the construction of data centers, including the Fisk plan and a proposed facility to sit near the Nashville Zoo, often citing concerns over environmental harm, water usage and increased noise levels.
Several weeks ago, hundreds of citizens attended a Metro Planning Commission meeting to express their support for strict data center regulations. This comes as Metro Councilmember Rollin Horton is proposing legislation to impose restrictions on the tech facilities, which currently face no regulations in Davidson County.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell issued an executive order last week putting the “full weight of the Metro government” behind efforts to pause the development of large-scale data centers. O’Connell expressed his support for a 90-day moratorium on data center construction, an effort that is also currently making its way through the council.
In a statement sent to reporters Tuesday, Fisk University said it is “aware of the proliferation of environmentally harmful data centers that have created issues in the communities where they exist.” Fisk went on to say that it is committed to its principle of "do no harm” and is basing its proposal around existing data centers the university contends are not causing harm in their respective communities.
“Fisk University strongly supports efforts to regulate the development of harmful data centers in Davidson County,” the statement reads.
“We look forward to working with the mayor's office, the Metropolitan Council, and numerous Metro agencies to ensure that Fisk's Innovation Center is constructed and operated in a manner that does not burden our neighbors. This has been our approach over the last two years of planning an innovation center that will elevate our university and have positive outcomes for Fisk and North Nashville for decades to come. Like other institutions of higher education, we seek to enhance the educational experiences of our students and constituents with critical technology access.”
