NSSR::Chris Crews
NSSR / PhD in Politics
Year
Class of 20??
Hometown
Athens, OH
About Chris
Hello fellow New School students! This is my third year serving on the USS. During this time I have seen many changes at The New School, and am proud to say that the USS has often been an important part those changes. Whether it is pushing for the creation of more student study space, which has materialized in the new 90 5th Ave. Student Study Center; working to include more students on university committees; pushing for more accountability and transparency with university administration; advocating for increases to TA/RA/TF salaries; supporting and organizing around social justice issues–in all of these areas the USS has been a prominent and important part of the story.
The reason I originally ran for Student Senate was simple: the New School was in a state of crisis and a strong student voice was badly needed. The school had just seen a multiple-day occupation (Dec. 2008), a faculty vote of no-confidence in forme President Bob Kerrey, and a general campus sentiment that graduate and undergraduate students alike were facing a lack of critical resources necessary to do even basic academic work. Our library was–and still is–non-existent, our study space was lost due to the closure of 65 5th Ave., classes were overcrowded, campus resources like the 55 W. 13th computer lab is a prime example–and we faced constant and widespread incompetence from many of the senior administration. This situation was unacceptable and had to be remedied.
For that to happen, we needed 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 was 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 was at hand. It was time for a strong and active student government to consolidate and expand existing student representation and power within all levels of our school. There was a sea change at work within the school during 2008-2009, and it was time for students to help push that wave ahead with more concrete victories and gains. Looking back from 2011–almost 2012–with a new President and many administrative changes, I think we have made significant progress, but there is still much work to be done.
As a student representative, 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. If you’re a NSSR student and need help or have questions, please contact me and I’ll do my best to help.