Important Updates
Thank you to everyone who joined yesterday’s online forum. More than 1000 students, faculty, and staff attended, and we especially want to acknowledge the representatives from the University Student Senate who played an important role in the discussion. We appreciated hearing the experiences and concerns shared by members of our community and want to continue to find ways to keep the dialogue going.
We are following up to share some of the steps the university is taking to be as supportive as possible in light of the considerable stress many students are feeling. The university’s leadership, faculty, and staff are working continuously to create ways to enhance the academic experience, provide critical services and support, and safeguard the sense of community that is so important to us all. We will be communicating additional measures in the days ahead.
We are continuing to augment the Student Emergency Assistance Program to provide short-term financial support to address specific needs. Alumni, faculty, staff, Trustees, and others have stepped up to personally contribute to this fund in recent weeks. We are grateful for their support!
Refunds are being processed for university housing and dining services, Those funds will be showing up in students’ accounts next week.
Technology equipment is being delivered to students without access. The deans’ offices and IT have coordinated to provide laptops and Chromebooks to students who have reported that they do not have the necessary technology to continue their studies. We will continue to try to meet these basic needs.
Registration is open to all continuing students without regard to account holds. We recognize that the coronavirus has placed considerable hardships on students and their families. Our priority is to ensure that all students can continue their education at The New School next year. No student will be prevented from registering because of a financial balance.
We are working quickly to direct CARES Act emergency funding that has been made available by the Federal Government to meet the greatest needs. We will share more as the specific guidelines are developed.
News for the Class of 2020
This is an important update regarding Commencement. We have all been holding out hope that the Commencement ceremony would be able to proceed as planned. With each passing week, a different reality has become clear. The decision point was made even more stark this week when our venue was converted into a temporary medical facility. There is simply no choice but to find a different way to mark the occasion this year. We know it is a huge disappointment, and we share in that sadness. Yet we are fully committed to celebrating the Class of 2020 in May with a dynamic virtual ceremony. More information will be shared soon as details come together, and input from students is most welcome! Please email your suggestions to commencement@newschool.edu.
We know that a virtual ceremony is not the same as the thrill of marching in a cap and gown in front of a live audience of thousands. That is why we will gladly welcome any 2020 graduate to participate in Commencement exercises in spring 2021.
We are also committed to creating enhanced access and opportunities beyond graduation. The deans at each of our colleges are developing plans that will allow 2020 graduates to return to campus to use Making Center facilities to complete projects, performance spaces in Arnhold Hall for recital opportunities, media production equipment and spaces, and libraries and the University Center for research and gathering. Other ideas being explored include ways to ensure the Class of 2020 can take advantage of additional professional development courses, critiques, and opportunities to showcase their work. Please stay tuned for more information.
Thank You
To everyone, thank you for all that you are doing to stay engaged, supportive, and positive.