Supporting Your Safety and Protecting Free Speech
A message from Dr. Robert Mack, Vice Provost for Student Success and Engagement
Dear Students,
Over the past month, our community has experienced great distress due to the devastating events that are taking place in Israel and Palestine. Students, faculty, and staff have expressed an array of emotions and feelings of helplessness in the face of overwhelming adversity. We hear news from other college campuses where tensions have escalated and erupted, revealing hate, ignorance or an inability to coexist in a space with opposing perspectives.
It is important that we extend care and support to all members of our community dealing with issues related to loss, personal safety, and academic progress. I want to thank those who have made space—whether in their classrooms, their residence halls, or elsewhere—to be there for one another. Within Student Success, we are committed to finding the time to listen without judgment, creating spaces for dialogue, and being a supportive presence for every student’s well-being. Please visit the Student Resources Hub for a list of offices that can help you navigate this time, such as Counseling Services and Student Support and Advocacy.
As a learning community, we have the opportunity to listen and learn from each others’ perspectives and peacefully advocate for progress. Student Success will continue to respect freedom of speech and support students struggling through this or other conflicts.
I will continue to write about ways in which our community addresses this and other challenges. I leave you with a request to continue to care for one another and demonstrate civility. If you are feeling alone or unheard, please know that we value you as a member of our community and resources are available. Information regarding The New School’s commitment to free speech, student safety, and other resources may be found on this website.