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New School Family News, February 2023

A Message From Dr. Robert Mack

Dr. Robert D. Mack, Vice Provost for Student Success and Engagement

Dear Parents and Family Members,

As we enter the heart of the semester, I hope your student is thriving and making connections across campus. During such a mild winter season here at our New York City campus, I find myself looking ahead to spring, a time of regrowth and renewal.

Here at The New School, we are certainly in a season of renewal. After the challenges we faced as a community in the fall semester, I’m proud to be co-chairing the Student Remedies Task Force, alongside co-chair Mikayla Durham, a student at Eugene Lang College and the Director of Engagement in the University Student Senate. Through various listening sessions and meetings, the Task Force will identify and share immediate and long-term recommendations.

As I shared with your students earlier this month, this year’s national theme for Black History Month, set by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), is Black Resistance. This theme explores how “African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings” since the nation’s earliest days.

Unfortunately, the struggle for equity, inclusion, social change and justice continues. Black people continue to experience systemic disparities and inequities at a disproportionate rate. We must continue to challenge systems of oppression and work to amplify Black voices because Black lives, Black history, and Black stories matter. The Division of Student Success remains committed to supporting an inclusive academic experience for all students.

While our world continues to face many challenges, including the tragic earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, I often find comfort in the power of community. I’m tremendously proud of a group of New School students from Turkey who coordinated a clothing and supply drive in our University Center last week. As we look forward to the remainder of the semester, I hope you’ll encourage your student to seek out community here at The New School. Together, each of us is stronger.

I wish you and your family well and appreciate your continued partnership in supporting your students.

In New School Pride,

Rob MacK

National College Health Assessment

Please encourage your students to participate in the National College Health Assessment! On February 12, your student received a unique link to take The National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey conducted by the American College Health Association.

The results of this survey help us to deliver robust health and wellness programs and services for New School students, like our Campus Food Pantry and Safe Zone program.

All students who submit a survey will be automatically entered in a random drawing for amazing prizes including an Apple iPad with Pencil, Apple AirPods Pro, $100 Visa gift cards, $50 Omny cards for subway travel, or a $20 gift certificate to O Cafe.

Health and Wellness at The New School

From the Desk of the Dean

Dr. Shondrika Merritt, Associate Provost for Student Affairs, Dean of Students

While it's only February, here at The New School we’re already thinking ahead to the fall semester. As you connect with your students this week, encourage them to consider applying to serve as a Resident Assistant or Orientation Leader for the upcoming school year. These are two amazing opportunities for New Schoolers to gain experience, give back to their university, and make incredible connections with their peers.

When I reflect on what makes the college experience so impactful, I think about how it’s often the experiences outside the classroom–like serving in a leadership role on campus–that shape our students into the people they will become. I recently connected with Xusheng Yu, an Orientation Captain and MFA student studying Industrial Design at Parsons, who reflected on his time working with the Orientation team, sharing: “I love serving as an OL and student leader at the New School because it is so fun and rewarding! It’s such a great opportunity to meet student leaders across campus, build community, improve leadership skills, and learn more about myself. It’s been a unique and unforgettable university experience!”

I hope each of your students is finding their involvement home here at The New School, and as always I remain available to connect with you or your student to offer support and encouragement. Get in touch at merritts@newschool.edu.

University Commencement: May 19, 2023

Please mark your calendar for The New School's 87th Annual University Commencement on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. EDT. It is with immense excitement that we invite our community to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of the Class of 2023, as well as our newest Alumni who recently graduated in December 2022.

Commencement takes place at Arthur Ashe Stadium on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens. The ceremony will be livestreamed for guests unable to join us in person.

The days leading up to the university-wide commencement ceremony are filled with celebrations and recognition ceremonies in-and-around campus for individual colleges, programs, and affinity groups. Please visit the Commencement website for a full schedule.

Visit Commencement Site

Parent and Family Council

New Parents! The Parent and Family Council would like to extend their support to you. If you are interested in reaching out to ask any questions about their families’ experiences with The New School, please fill out this very short form, so one of our members with a similar student experience can reach out.

Make sure you take a look at our Impact Report and see all the wonderful things our students can do when supported by our amazing and generous donors.

Take the Survey

Meet a Mentor

Current students and new alumni are invited to participate in Meet a Mentor, a program that promotes exchange of information, stories, and experiences between seasoned alumni professionals and the next generation of New School graduates. Mentors come from fields ranging from digital designers to social justice advocates to business entrepreneurs, published writers, game inventors, fashion marketers, and more. Zoom chat 1:1 for 45 to 55 min sessions and learn how to navigate your next career steps from these volunteer professionals.

Student Sign-Up

Parent and Family Engagement

Parents and families are an important part of the New School community. That’s why we want to help you stay engaged in the academic process and connected to The New School. Visit our Parent and Family website to increase your access to vital information.

Need to get in touch with us? Email families@newschool.edu.

Visit Family Site