Standing Together as a Community
A Message from Dr. Donna E. Shalala, Interim President
Dear members of The New School community,
A fellow university President sent me a message about the sadness we all feel, reminding me of the fragility of life on this planet.
Fragile, a song performed by Sting decades ago, is worth listening to.
The words of the opening stanza are:
“If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one
Drying in the color of the evening sun
Tomorrow’s rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay
Perhaps this final act was meant
To clinch a lifetime’s argument
That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could
For all though born beneath an angry star
Lest we forget how fragile we are.”
We are one community with the responsibility to ensure the safety and well being of all. The New School must continue to be a place where we listen to and vigorously discuss difficult and sometimes painful issues. Respectful dialogue is a hallmark of great American universities. Our Muslim, Jewish, and SWANA students, staff, and faculty are feeling particularly vulnerable, and it is on us—everyone of us—to reach out to them, no matter our anguish or political views.
The university’s policy is clear: “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.”
I want to emphasize: We as a community have zero tolerance for Islamophobia, antisemitism, racism toward Jewish people, Palestinians, Arab Americans, and other SWANA people, or discrimination or bullying of any kind—ZERO!
Anyone who believe they have experienced bias, discrimination, or harassment on our campus is urged to report it. Students who need extra support can email email@example.com. Employees can seek additional support through the Employee Assistance Program.