Announcing the Student Remedies Task Force
As we look forward to the start of the semester, we wanted to let you know how we are working toward potential remedies for current and graduating students following the impact of the strike on their learning experience. While we will not offer tuition refunds, we will be forming a Student Remedies Task Force this spring to develop recommendations for current and graduating students. Prior to the end of the fall semester, a message was shared with students about the need for a robust process to identify and address these concerns.
What Will the Task Force Do?
The Student Remedies Task Force will be charged with assessing how the strike and a variety of other activities on campus affected the student experience in the fall, and will work with members across the university to review policies and processes. It will then recommend a set of equitable and achievable remedies that can be implemented in the coming months for current and graduating students. Recommendations will be advanced to the Executive Deans and Provost for final approval.
Who Will Have a Say?
Central to the success of this work will be ongoing collaboration between our students, faculty, and staff. Rob Mack, Vice Provost of Student Success and Engagement, and a student leader will serve as co-chairs. Membership will include one student and one staff or faculty member from each college, chosen by the Executive Dean in consultation with their college communities. Given the significantly larger student population at Parsons, it will have two students, one faculty and one staff as members. Each member of the task force will exemplify a strong understanding of the college community, culture, and curriculum. Staff and faculty representatives will demonstrate a commitment to assisting with the implementation process of college-specific recommendations. Representatives from Student Success and Engagement and the Office of the Provost will support the work of the Task Force.
How Will It Work?
The work of the Task Force will commence with weekly listening sessions and meetings at the start of the semester, with the goal of identifying immediate recommendations in February for the spring semester. Meetings will continue through March to outline long-term recommendations for the upcoming academic year and beyond. Recommendations will explore both community-wide remedies and college-specific priorities and needs. The Task Force will provide regular updates to the community throughout the spring.
As we shared in December, we want to ensure our students, faculty, and staff have the opportunity to be heard and play their part in resolving existing issues, as well as reshaping the future of The New School. While this Task Force specifically addresses the student experience, there will be other efforts coming soon that address the broader impact on the entire campus community including a reimagining of the strategic planning process which has been underway since fall 2022. We look forward to working with all of you to chart a path forward for our university.