Community Input
The New School embraced remote and hybrid work long before the COVID-19 pandemic. But this change was accelerated in March 2020, when most university employees were asked to work from home. This was a welcome change for some and a burden for others.
Business Services conducted the Staff Needs Assessment Survey in March 2021 to evaluate how staff were handling remote work. 78% of the staff participated in this survey, which has given the university insights into workload, productivity, the impact of remote work on personal life, comfort returning to campus, and even connection to the university community.
This survey also revealed to the university community the importance of space to our daily work. What attributes of the space are important? Which amenities provide the most value? What do staff need at a workstation to complete their tasks? The responses to these questions have largely shaped the design of our new Admin Hubs. These hubs are co-working spaces on campus for administrative staff, both those with assigned workstations and those without. Here staff from across the university can collaborate or consult with colleagues, work independently, hold a private meeting, or work at an open workstation for a day.