NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Fisk University has put out another statement amid ongoing backlash over the announcement of a planned data center on the HBCU campus.
“Fisk University is aware of the proliferation of environmentally harmful data centers that have created issues in the communities where they exist. Since inception, Fisk took a different approach and learned about the data centers that currently exist and are not doing harm in their communities,” the university said.
They added that this information “has guided Fisk’s commitment to ‘do no harm,’” and that, as such, the university “strongly supports efforts to regulate” data centers in Davidson County.
WSMV4 has confirmed that there are at least a dozen active data centers in the Nashville area and proposals for at least two more — the one at Fisk and another that would be adjacent to the Nashville Zoo.
Fisk’s proposal is for a 70,000-square-foot technology center that would be located along Herman Street between DB Todd Junior Boulevard and 17th Avenue North. While the university has said the project will better serve its students, many in the community fear otherwise.
Less than two weeks ago, Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) joined a press conference outside the university to voice his opposition.
“Not all money is good money. This project will have much more cost in terms of the public health cost, in the cost to the well-being and longevity of the students,” he said. “…If this project of AI data centers is not good for a zoo, then it’s not good to build at a HBCU.
Winston Wright, a 2017 graduate of the university, has also been outspoken about the project, imploring school leaders to consider the potential noise pollution from an on-campus data center.
“Just imagine what that would do to students who want to pull all-nighters, students are trying to get rest before an exam,” he said at the same press conference.
That opinion has been shared by thousands of other Nashville residents, prompting city leaders to develop regulations surrounding data centers.
Nashville leaders take on data centers
Earlier this month, Mayor Freddie O’Connell signed an executive order mandating Metro Government departments to “identify lawful and effective tools available to address potential adverse impacts…and opportunities to thoughtfully protect interests.”
Nashville leaders are currently considering two legislative actions for data centers — the first, a temporary moratorium on all new data centers, and the second, zoning regulations for certain centers.
Fisk University said in its statement on Tuesday that its leaders “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.”
WSMV4 has asked Fisk University what data centers they specifically looked to for inspiration for its own center and if the one planned for campus will be an AI center. When WSMV4 previously asked Fisk if it will be an AI center, the university said it had yet to identify a partner and that once it does, leaders “will work with them on all specifics based on our ‘do no harm’ approach.”
“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,” Fisk’s most recent statement continued. “…We seek to enhance the educational experiences of our students and constituents with critical technology access.”
