NSSR::Chris Crews
NSSR / PhD in Politics
Year
Class of 2013
Hometown
Athens, OH
About Chris
The reason I ran for Student Senate is simple: the New School is in a state of crisis and a strong student voice is badly needed. Graduate and undergraduate students alike are facing a lack of critical resources necessary to do even basic academic work. Our library is non-existent, our study space is a joke, classes are overcrowded, resources are always crowded–computer labs being a perfect example–and we face constant and widespread incompetence from many of the administrators of this school. This situation is unacceptable and must be remedied.
For that to happen, we need strong leadership from our student government. The past USS leadership has done their best to work with a bloated and bureaucratic administration under President Kerrey, but it has been an uphill battle. With the appointment of a new Interim Provost, as well as a renewed surge of opposition, the reality of new senior administration is at hand. Now is the time for a strong and active student government to consolidate and expand existing student representation and power within all levels of our school. There is a sea change at work within this school as we speak, and it is time for students to help push that wave ahead with more concrete victories and gains.
I bring a diverse set of experiences: a devoted academic, a community organizer, a former small business owner, a media producer and a published writer, artist and poet. But most importantly, I bring a passion to see our daily lives as students improve here at the New School.