Lang::Pat Korte
Pat Korte
Hello Everyone!
I am a junior studying economics at Lang and have been active in a variety of political projects at our university and in our city. I grew up in Newburgh, New York and Pawcatuck, Connecticut and come from a working class family. I was attracted to The New School because of its legacy of critical inquiry and political action. I am a founding member of the Radical Student Union (RSU) – formerly Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) – and have been active in the struggle for a university that embodies the values of participatory democracy and social justice in both its curriculum and structure. Why am I involved in politics? I want to see the creation of a participatory democracy and a world without poverty, racism, patriarchy, and heterosexism. For me, to be “radical” is to “go to the root” of a problem. Indeed, if elected I will ensure that the USS find solutions that go to the roots of the problems our university currently faces.
Of particular concern to me is the lack of social space and political power for students of color, LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) students, and working class students. As a member of the USS, I will ensure that these constituencies will be included in the USS and their interests will be defended.
I am also especially concerned with the lack of transparency, accountability, and democracy within our university. Specifically, I am concerned with the continued refusal of the administration and Board of Trustees to disclose our institution’s financial investments, create a committee on Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) that has actual decision-making power, and the much needed reallocation of university funds for scholarships (especially for low-income students) and social space. As a member of the USS, I will actively struggle for the success of these initiatives.