Preparing for What Comes Next
A Message from Joel Towers, President and University Professor
To The New School community,
Today marks three weeks since the closest U.S. presidential election in 24 years (as measured by the popular vote) was decided in favor of Donald Trump. No matter how narrow the margin of victory or limited the mandate it confers, elections have consequences. Beginning on January 20, 2025, U.S. domestic and foreign policy will be set by the incoming Trump administration. In the many conversations I have had with students, faculty, staff, and trustees since the early hours of November 6th, I have heard significant concern for how the next four years may impact The New School and our community. I am writing to you today with some initial reflections on where we are and my assurances that The New School will stand firm in support of our mission and our unwavering commitment to the pursuit of knowledge, the protection of academic freedom, and the rich and beautiful diversity of opinion and people who constitute our university.
To protect the university, we must be over-prepared for whatever comes next, even if the start of the new administration is still two months away. Discerning the President-elect’s policy proposals from his rhetoric, which has always been difficult, is additionally complicated by the extreme political polarization of the times in which we live. That said, the 2016-2020 administration offers important lessons as do the positions taken by the Trump 2024 campaign.
Given what is currently known, it is reasonable to prepare for the possibility that the incoming administration will seek to implement immigration policy that may well target people from specific countries or undocumented members of our community. If that is the case, we will respond, as we have in the past to threats to our international and undocumented students, with access to support and resources, collective advocacy to oppose actions that threaten higher education, and programming to help our community stay abreast of the issues.
Specifically, it is, and remains, The New School’s policy to welcome, admit, and support students without regard to their citizenship status. We steadfastly protect the privacy rights of all our students, faculty, and staff. We do not release records in our possession that may disclose citizenship status to any law enforcement authority, absent a court order or legally enforceable subpoena. And The New School does not permit law enforcement authorities, absent a court order, legally issued warrant, or other legal mandate, to enter university buildings for the purpose of detaining any student, staff member, or faculty member solely based on immigration status for the purpose of possible deportation. If our existing policies prove insufficient to protect the university mission and our community, we will pursue additional measures on our own and in collaboration with other universities.
Our educational mission is more relevant and necessary than ever. Our university plays an important and powerful role as a convener for diverse individuals and ideas, a center for rigorous education and deep research, a venue for discourse and debate, a place open to new ways of thinking, and an environment for proactive engagement. We provide pathways for people of all backgrounds to thrive and contribute to a just, resilient, and dynamic future. We are an engine of democracy, creativity, culture, and the advancement of knowledge that leads to opportunity, growth, and sustainability. Preserving the university as a place beyond the narrowness of political polarization has never been more important.
The work of powering democracy is demanding, complex, and ongoing. It requires participation, perspective, and patience when sometimes it might seem to veer off course. In times of uncertainty and change, we can keep learning. We can keep working. We can keep our principles and values intact. And we can derive hope and optimism from the compelling ideas, strong voices, and compassionate people at The New School.
Over the weeks and months ahead, I will continue to provide updates on what I am hearing from all of you and the actions we are taking to support our community.