Welcome Back and Looking Ahead to the Spring Semester
A Message from Dr. Renée T. White, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
I am excited to welcome everyone back to campus for the start of the spring semester. As we enter a new year, I hope that everyone is returning from the winter break feeling refreshed and inspired, ready to dive back into ongoing work and embark on new projects.
While the year is young, it has already presented us with significant challenges. In particular, I would like to hold space here for those among us who have been impacted by the ongoing devastation of the wildfires across Los Angeles. Student Success and Admission staff have been in regular contact with current and prospective students directly affected by these fires, and will continue this outreach. Please know that we are here to offer our support to those who need it. At the bottom of this email you will find a list of available resources. This week also saw the inauguration of a new presidential administration, which is already posing threats to democratic norms, citizenship and immigrant rights, gender identity, trans rights, DEI programs, and the environment, among others. Already vulnerable communities are even more precarious now, and are understandably worried for their safety as legislative and policy protections are dismantled. Be assured that we remain steadfast in our commitment to all members of our campus community. The urgent need to uphold and preserve democracy and to stand firm in our commitment to diversity and academic freedom are among the most significant duties of our time, and speak to the importance, now more than ever, of the mission and values of The New School and the need to continue our collective efforts to make the world a better and more just place.
Last night I had the good fortune to listen to Nikole Hannah-Jones speak at the annual meeting of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U). She was clear-eyed, pragmatic, and brutally honest about the successes and failures of higher ed leaders. Among her many insights, she commented on the slow erosion of faith and investment in education as a public good, noting that we are at another moment where it is essential to act decisively and with purpose in defense of basic principles of democracy. She further remarked on the importance of higher education institutions continuing what our charge is – to be spaces of inquiry and discovery, places that educate and produce knowledge. The thing we do best is also what some people fear – that we graduate adults who are independent and critical thinkers, concerned about the world, and oriented to betterment for all. With that in mind, I would like to turn to the work we do and offer examples of how we intend to be true to our educational charge.
There is indeed so much great work happening across campus. At the start of the academic year, I was so pleased to launch the Provost’s Investment Fund, an initiative designed to foster collaboration and innovation across the university by nurturing programs that enhance our campus culture, promote interdisciplinary connections, and support equity, inclusion, social justice, and belonging. The first call funded 20 proposals across three areas: Culture of Care, EISJ Praxis, and Public Programs, with $120,000 to be awarded this pilot year. The projects funded include student-run initiatives such as the Spitting Image Art Fair, faculty research on pedagogy of care, and support for a mixed cohort of staff, faculty, and students to attend the NCORE conference, a key forum for promoting access, education, and cross-cultural understanding. The second round of funding will close on February 1 and you can apply here.
We also formally welcome this semester our scholar-in-residence Edisa Weeks, a choreographer and educator who joins us as part of programming for The Moment is Now: In Dialogue with Changemakers. More information will be shared soon about the various events and workshops she will be hosting on campus. The new Pedagogy as Praxis series will continue with three events this semester, starting with a conversation on “The Expanse of Radical Arts” on February 5. Organized by Gabrielle Williams, Assistant Professor of Literary Studies and Provost Faculty Fellow, this series invites guests to be in conversation with New School faculty to explore liberatory education, critical pedagogy, and new and transformative ways of teaching and learning as a collective.
The importance of community is paramount and the Provost’s Office continues to seek out new opportunities to build connections, spark new ideas, and lift each other up. This spring we will host our second annual Spark celebration, created to shine a spotlight on our community’s compelling and wide-ranging work, projects, and activities. As part of this upcoming celebration, we have launched the Spark Awards, a university-wide honor recognizing students, alumni, faculty, and staff who embody the bold, creative, and collaborative spirit that defines The New School. These awards celebrate those who inspire us with their ideas, innovation, and impact, and you can submit a nomination for the award until February 21. I will also continue to host my reading group focused on issues of equity, inclusion, and social justice in higher education, understood through the lens of Black scholars who emphasize the importance of community, empathy, and love in their work. The first session will take place on February 20 and you can sign up here.
In keeping with cultivating the spirit and power of the collective, I welcome your ideas and input and invite you to connect with the Provost’s Office to let us know how you are doing this semester. We would love to hear what you are looking forward to most this year in your work, studies, and scholarship here at The New School and how we can best support you. You are always welcome to reach out to us at provost@newschool.edu with questions, thoughts, and feedback.
You can also visit the Provost’s Office Events Hub to learn more about our initiatives and engagement opportunities. In addition to the events the Provost’s Office hosts throughout the year, I welcome opportunities to join you at your meetings and events on campus. Visit the Provost Engagement Request Form to invite me to an upcoming symposium, conversation, or reception.
We will continue to pay close attention to what is happening in Washington, DC and around the country and to offer support for our community. In addition to the resources listed below, we will be looking at other ways to handle the impacts of the legislative changes happening under this new administration. In the meantime, I wish you all a peaceful start to the semester.
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Supporting Students, Faculty, and Staff
Resources for Students
Student Success
Staff within Student Success are available to help you and your family navigate and access an array of resources. Please email studentquestions@newschool.edu if you need further support.
Student Support and Advocacy (SSA)
SSA staff are here to help you with a broad range of non-academic challenges and resources, including food assistance and emergency financial assistance. Do not hesitate to reach out to studentsupport@newschool.edu to discuss how SSA can support you both on and off campus.
Counseling at Student Health Services
Counselors at Student Health Services are available for in-person or virtual telecounseling if you would like to talk. Visit shsportal.newschool.edu to make an appointment.
Student Success Advising
Your academic advisor is available to discuss your academic plan and direct you to the best support services for your needs. Find yours on Starfish.
Academic Deans
Your dean’s office can help guide you through academic and other concerns.
Resources for Faculty and Staff
Through the Employee Assistance Program, The New School offers all faculty and staff work and life benefits, at no cost, including counseling sessions that focus on emotional well-being, stress management, and more. Call the EAP number, 888.238.6232 anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit the New School EAP website.