New School faculty members in Manhattan set up an encampment in solidarity with students protesting against Israel’s offensive in Gaza. They demanded the university divest from companies supporting Israel, an end to NYPD presence on campus, and the expunging of disciplinary charges against students. The encampment, named after a professor killed in an Israeli airstrike, followed more than 40 student arrests and numerous suspensions by the school.
The faculty accused university President Donna Shalala of spreading false narratives to justify NYPD intervention against protesting students. They called for a general strike at the university, urging students, faculty, and staff to cease all labor for the New School. Additionally, faculty were encouraged not to submit final grades in support of the strike. Over 94% of faculty members voted in favor of a vote of no confidence in Shalala and the Board of Trustees after the mass arrests of students.
The protest also extended beyond the New School, with demands for universities and municipalities nationwide to drop charges and disciplinary actions against the over 2,000 student protesters arrested or disciplined. The faculty members organizing the encampment acknowledged the students as their teachers and hoped that their actions would inspire similar protests at other institutions in the US.
The faculty-led encampment marked the first of its kind in the US, aiming to continue the student-led movement against Israel’s offensive in Gaza. The organizers emphasized the importance of faculty supporting student initiatives and standing united against oppressive forces. They challenged the administration’s actions, highlighting the need for universities to uphold principles of justice and human rights in their operations.
The solidarity encampment at the New School reflected a growing trend of faculty taking a more active role in supporting student activism and protests. The faculty’s call for a general strike and refusal to submit grades demonstrated their commitment to standing alongside students in their fight against injustice. By setting up their own encampment, the faculty aimed to amplify the voices of the students and continue the momentum of the anti-Israel protest at the university.
The faculty protesters at the New School exemplified a shift towards greater collaboration between faculty and students in advocating for social justice causes. Their actions highlighted the power of collective resistance and the importance of unity in challenging oppressive systems. By standing in solidarity with the students, the faculty members at the New School demonstrated their unwavering support for the movement against Israel’s offensive in Gaza and their commitment to upholding the principles of justice and accountability within their institution.
