Hundreds Rally Against Sweeping Cuts at New School

"Hundreds rallied outside the New School during a board meeting today, December 10, to protest sweeping faculty and program cuts that many say will be devastating to the century-old institution's progressive social research mission. At 4 pm today,around 300students, staff, and supporters gathered outside 66 West 12th Street, which houses the offices of President Joel Towers and Provost Richard Kessler. "Short on money, high on power, we don't trust Joel Towers," New School students and faculty chanted underneath the university building's scaffolding."

"The university in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, which includes the Parsons School of Design and the College of Performing Arts, is facing a $48 million budget deficit that administrators attribute to rising costs, federal funding cuts, and declining enrollment. This fall saw just 8,900 enrolled students, a record low for the last decade. But critics say the shortfall is the result of the New School's financial mismanagement and blame the administration for making faculty shoulder the burden."

"According to the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), 169 full-time faculty members - approximately 40% - and all non-unionized staff with over four years of service have received buyouts or early retirement offers. New School President Joel Towers said in a last month that layoffs will 'very likely be necessary.' Protesters also said the cutbacks run counter to the school's legacy."

The New School is confronting a $48 million budget shortfall amid rising costs, federal funding cuts, and falling enrollment, with this fall's headcount at about 8,900 students. Administrators have offered buyouts or early retirement to roughly 169 full-time faculty—about 40%—and to long-serving non-union staff, while warning that layoffs are likely. Hundreds of students, staff, and supporters rallied outside the administration offices to oppose sweeping faculty and program cuts. Critics contend the financial problems stem from mismanagement and argue the reductions undermine the institution's founding mission as an alternative, socially engaged university.

Read at Hyperallergic