Background
The New School is a leading urban university in design, liberal arts, the performing arts, and social and political thought. The New School offers more than 70 degree programs, including bachelor's, master's, doctoral degrees, complete certificate programs, and hundreds of continuing education classes.
There are 8 schools that comprise The New School:
- Parsons The New School for Design
- Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts
- Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy
- The New School for Social Research
- The New School for General Studies
- The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music
- Mannes College The New School for Music
- The New School for Drama
The New School’s 9,825 matriculated students attend class on campus in the heart of Greenwich Village or participate in the university’s growing online programs. Nearly 40% of undergraduate students are African American, Hispanic, Asian American or Native American. 23% of all students are international; 74% receive financial aid. There are 2,143 faculty, 351 full-time and 1,792 part-time. The student faculty ratio is 9.3 to 1.
For more facts and figures about the university, please visit www.newschool.edu/quickfacts.aspx.
Transformation of The New School
The quest for original ideas and the respect for democratic ideals led to The New School’s creation in 1919, and that is still among the school's most important traditions.
The university is poised for a transformation that builds upon its unique history and tradition of civically engaged, progressive education. This new academic plan will expand the undergraduate programs, integrate the primary themes of The New School–design, liberal arts, social sciences, urban studies, and performing arts–and construct an intellectual program that prepares students for the challenges of an increasingly complex world.
The "new" New School will be populated by students in cross-cutting, university-wide programs, some of which will be collaboratively developed with overseas partners. Growing our international presence is an important element of our strategic plan. One example of our inter-disciplinary focus is the new Environmental Studies program offered out of both Parsons and Lang College. This innovative BA/BS program allows undergraduate students to study and work at the intersection of society and nature, relying largely on interdisciplinary courses that capitalize on the faculty's expertise and student interests.
Accomplishments, 2001 to Present
Fundraising Success
- The endowment has grown from $90 million to as much as $232 million (before the 2007/2008 market meltdown).
- In spite of the flagging economy, the university had a strong year in fundraising. The university brought in $88 million last year, exceeding its combined two-year goal for fiscal years 2007 & 2008 by $10 million.
Faculty Standing
- The New School has doubled the size of its full-time faculty, tripled the number of faculty with tenure, and extended tenure from just one school to all eight academic divisions.
- In 2004-2005, Bob Kerrey established the Faculty Senate to formalize the faculty’s collaborative role in the university’s strategic planning.
Enrollment Growth
- In the past two years, applications rose from 4,437 to 5,695, an increase of 1,258 potential students (28%). The size and caliber of this pool have allowed the university to improve selectivity and increase enrollment at the same time.
- The New School’s online academic program, launched in 1993, has been called “a national model” by Crain’s New York Business (March, 2007). With online programs such as Parson’s new Fashion Marketing AAS, online enrollment this year alone is estimated to increase over 27% this fall.
A Growing Campus
- The New School is engaged in a comprehensive plan to ensure academic resources and facilities for a growing student body. We are moving forward with plans for a new building at 65 Fifth Avenue, which will join the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center and the newly opened Welcome Center to create a New School crossroads at 13th Street and Fifth Avenue.
- These new buildings and renovations have necessitated that programs and classes held in those spaces be moved to temporary quarters for the duration of the construction/renovation. Many stakeholders are eager to participate in the making of this new building: students, faculty, administration, trustees, community and government officials. They all have weighed in and will continue.