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Free Speech & Safety On Campus

Free Speech & Safety On Campus

Free Speech & Safety On Campus

Our responsibility as a university is to make space for educational dialogue for our community to better understand complex and challenging issues. We believe deeply in supporting a healthy and safe learning and working environment for all members of our community, prioritizing the emotional and physical safety of our students, faculty, and staff. We expect members of the New School community to act in ways that are consistent with our core values of respect, tolerance, and dignity.
We encourage you to familiarize yourselves with the resources and information on this page and to visit our Campus Safety website to learn more about safety preparedness on our campus.
Our commitment to freedom of speech may be found in our Free Exchange of Ideas and Freedom of Artistic Expression policies. This commitment extends to our staff and students, with both the president and provost reaffirming this commitment.
Messages from University Leaders
President Towers' August 1 Message A Message from President Joel Towers: Beginnings
President Towers' August 15 Message A Question for the Community
Invitation to Community Address by President Towers
Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility’s August 19 Message Third Communication to The New School Community from the Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility
Shondrika Merritt, Dean of Students, and Andrade Fearon, Senior Director of SLI August 26 Message Regarding Recent USS Funding Halt
Invitation to Community Conversations with President Towers
Lorenley Báez, Associate Provost for Equity and Belonging, September 9 Message Office of Equity & Belonging Welcomes You
University Announcements, September 11 Anticipated Demonstration Activity and Temporary Changes to Campus Building Access September 12, 2024
President Towers' September 12 Message Update on Today's Demonstration
Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility’s September 17 Message Fourth Communication to The New School from the Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility
Board of Trustees September 18 Message A Community Update on the Board of Trustees’ Review of the ACIR Fall 2024 Report
Board of Trustees September 25 Message Our Process for Reviewing the ACIR Fall 2024 Report
University Announcements, October 3 Message Our Preparations for Anticipated Demonstration Activity Across New York City
October 14 Invitation to Community Conversations with President Towers
Community Gatherings
View President Towers' August 22 community address.
Community Standards and Policies
- Demonstration Guidelines
  
  The university encourages the exercise of free speech, recognizing that, at times, the exercise of free speech and expression in a university community will result in exchanges that are heated, controversial, deeply passionate, and even uncomfortable for members of the university community. The New School’s establishment of Demonstration Guidelines defining parameters for such activities does not arise from any desire by the university to control such activities or impose a civility code but, rather, is derived from the consonant principle that such activities must not materially disrupt other university functions or interfere with the freedom of others, or otherwise violate the rights of others.
- Posters, Fliers & Other Visual Communication
  
  The New School encourages free expression and protects academic freedom, which are central principles to the mission of higher education and New School values. Students, faculty, staff, registered student organizations, academic, and administrative units may desire to display posters that promote an event, exhibit, or activity, recruit, or express an opinion.
  The university’s poster policy establishes the time, place, and manner parameters in the displaying of posters. The university’s staff responsible for building operations are authorized to remove posters that violate this policy immediately and without notice.
- Social Media
  
  The New School social media accounts should be welcoming and inclusive spaces for our community members and cannot be used to further personal and/or political viewpoints. Moreover, The New School does not tolerate hate speech, bullying, harassment, or attacks on individuals on the basis of their race, gender, age, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sexuality, appearance, or other protected characteristics in posts, comments, or DMs. Read our social media policy.
- Use of University Facilities
  
  Activities in university facilities must be consistent with the educational purposes of the university. Any recognized faculty or student organization is entitled to use university space, as available, for activities of an educational nature and has the right to invite speakers representing any and all points of view to the university. The university recognizes the obligation to provide space for these purposes when it is available and does so in response to requests for the use of space made through the appropriate channels. Responsibility for conduct at university events, as outlined in The New School’s policy on the use of university facilities, lies with the university sponsors of those events, even when an event is co-sponsored by an outside organization. All activities and all participants in them must respect the right of every individual to freedom of expression and follow university guidelines and codes of conduct.
  Events held on our campus are not intended to be, nor should they be construed as the university’s endorsement of any group’s political views, perspectives, or ideas.
- Reporting Bias, Bigotry & Harassment
  
  The New School is committed to creating and sustaining an environment where students, faculty, and staff can study, work, and thrive unhampered by discrimination or harassment. If any member of our community experiences or observes an incident that harms them or someone else, please file a report and seek help.
  Other violations of the Student Code of Conduct can be reported confidentially.
  An update on the reports made to the Office of Student Conduct (Fall 2023).
Community Dialogues
The university is committed to providing space to engage in open exchanges of ideas and to inviting our community members to actively listen in constructive and inclusive dialogue across a variety of subjects.
Faculty
Our Faculty Center will continue to offer resources and seek to provide additional faculty training opportunities to support educational forums and classroom dialogue. We encourage our faculty and academic deans to continue to collaborate and engage in offering a diversity of educational opportunities across the university.
Faculty in need of support for Teaching and Learning can email [email protected] and are encouraged to review these resources for faculty.
Staff
If staff are looking to form or join an employee affinity group during this time, please contact Ilana Levitt and Human Resources will help facilitate the organization of a group based on community interest.
Students
Join us for The Belonging Journey, a dialogue series focused on exploring structural inequalities, understanding power and privilege, and bolstering a sense of belonging as part of the remedy. For more information or to register for upcoming events, please visit our dedicated webpage.
Student Organizations
Student organizations play a significant role in providing community and programming specific to different identities, cultures, and interests. Learn more and get connected to organizations through Narwhal Nation.
Additional University Resources
- Department of Campus Safety
  
  The New School's Department of Campus Safety seeks to ensure that the rights of every member of the campus community are respected and that there exists a safe and secure atmosphere in all campus buildings. Campus Safety staff are available 24/7 to respond to emergencies on campus by calling 212.229.7001.
  These Student Safety Tips are provided by the New York Police Department and the Metropolitan Transit Authority Police.
- Campus Safety App
  
  The New School Campus Safety App is available for download on iOS and Android devices. It provides instant access to campus safety resources such as Friend Walk, a feature that lets you share your location in real-time with a friend.
- Student Support
  
  The Student Support team works with students to help them navigate non-academic challenges, distressing experiences, and crisis situations. Students who need extra support can email [email protected].
- International Student & Scholar Services
  
  The advising staff at International Student and Scholar Services are available to offer support and discuss student concerns. You can schedule an appointment through Starfish, attend our virtual drop-in hours on Tuesdays or in person on Thursdays from 2:00-4:00 pm ET. Email [email protected], or call 212.229.5592.
- Counseling at Student Health Services
  
  Counselors at Student Health Services are available for in-person or virtual telecounseling appointments. Visit shsportal.newschool.edu to make an appointment.
- Academic Advisors
  
  Academic advisors are available to discuss academic plans and direct students to the best support services for your needs. Find yours on Starfish.
- Office of the University Ombuds
  
  The Office of the University Ombuds is a safe, confidential space where you can have an off-the-record conversation about your experience or concerns and explore your options for moving forward.
- Support for Employees
  
  The New School is committed to providing an array of comprehensive benefits intended to meet the needs of faculty and staff and their eligible dependents. Employees can seek additional support through the Employee Assistance Program or by contacting [email protected] or calling 212.229.5671 x4942.
- What to do in an Emergency
  
  Call 911 for any situation that requires immediate police, fire, or medical response to preserve life or property.
  Other Emergency Phone Numbers
  Campus Security (24 hour)
  212.229.7001
  Student Medical Services
  212.229.1671, option 2
  Student Counseling Services
  212.229.1671, option 1
  Security Director's Office
  212.229.5101
  Know Where to Go
  Campus Security Office—68 Fifth Avenue, mezzanine level
  Student Health Services—80 Fifth Avenue, 3rd floor
  List Courtyard (general assembly point)—66 West 12th Street
  Beth Israel Hospital ER—East 16th Street between First and Second Avenues
  View the Campus Map
  External 24/7 Crisis Support Resources
  Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 (United States/Canada)
  NYC Well Text WELL to 65173 or call 1.888.692.9355 (more than 200 languages available)
  Lifeline 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
- Community Messages from the 2023-2024 Academic Year
  
  President Shalala's October 9 Statement About the Hamas Attacks on Israel
  President Shalala’s October 10 Message
  President Shalala’s October 23 Message Standing Together as a Community
  Provost White’s October 23 Message Centering Our Humanity
  Vice Provost for Student Success and Engagement Robert Mack's November 8 Message Supporting Your Safety and Protecting Free Speech
  President Shalala's November 15 Message in Response to the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) Demands Letter to the Administration
  December 4 Message Demonstrations on Campus
  January 31 Message The Work Ahead
  President Shalala's March 8 Message
  April 21 Message Update on University Center Demonstration
  President Shalala's May 3 Message Police Action at the University Center
  President Shalala's May 9 Message A Message to the University Community
  Provost White's May 9 Message What Comes Next for Our Community
  President Shalala's May 13 Message Announcing the Members of the Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility
  President Shalala's May 16 Message Update on the Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility
  May 20 Message Statement of Agreement to Vote on Divestment
  Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility’s June 12 Message Second Communication to The New School Community from the Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility
  Board of Trustees June 12 Message A Message to the University Community on Today’s Update from the ACIR
  President Shalala's June 12 Message Reminder of University Codes, Policies, and Guidelines for Conduct

Sign Up for New School Alerts

Download Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
Emergency Phone Numbers

Life-Threatening Emergency
911
Campus Safety (24 Hour)
212.229.7001
Student Medical Services
212.229.1671, option 2
Student Counseling Services
212.229.1671, option 1
Campus Safety Director
212.229.5101

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