Commuter Crisis
During the fall of 2008, I began my time at New York University as a commuter. I started, an eager and enthusiastic child. I ended, broken and running for the hills. It wasn’t necessarily the commute that ruined my freshman year, but the detachment I felt from the NYU community.
It was as if I were walk alone in a sea of people rushing past me in the opposite direction. I, of course, have no one to blame but myself. I participated in rarely any of the school activities, simply going to class and returning home. For some reason the title of “commuter” alienated me, and I felt that the school was not my own. To this day, it remains one of my greatest shames.
Fall of 2012, I begin the school year as a commuter once again. This time for the New School. And I refuse to cower like I did before.
I encourage all of you incoming commuters to take part in all the events that interest you at this year’s Welcome Week. There is much that the university has to offer. Take ownership for the New School for it is truly yours.
Below is a list of the Welcome Week activities. And so you don’t get lost, make sure to use the Campus Map.
Thursday, August 16th
5:00–7:00 p.m. School of Undergraduate Studies: New Student Orientation
Wollman Hall, 65 West 11th Street, 5th floor
Hour long Campus Tours are held mostly everyday from Monday, August 20th to Friday, August 24th. They meet at the Orientation Help Desk in the lobby of 90 Fifth Avenue.
Monday, August 20th
1:00–2:00 p.m. Academic Technology Orientation
55 West 13th Street, room 908
Learn about the online and on-site communication and information services that support courses and research at The New School. Find out what resources you have access to and where to go for technology help and support. Repeated Thursday, August 23, 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
4:00–5:30 p.m. Tour of the University Art Collection
Departs from the lobby of 55 West 13th Street
Meet the curators, Silvia Rocciolo and Eric Stark, who lead a short tour of The New School’s art collection, including important site-specific works by Kara Walker,
Sol LeWitt, Martin Puryear, and José Clemente Orozco. Participants receive a map for a self-guided tour of all the art displayed in the landmark building at 66 West 12th Street (designed by Bauhaus architect Joseph Urban). Repeated Thursday, August 23, 4:00 p.m.
6:30–7:30 p.m. Healthy Living and Fire Safety in the Residence Halls (last names A–L)
Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th Street, lobby
This information session is mandatory for all new students living in a university residence hall.
7:45–8:45 p.m. Healthy Living and Fire Safety in the Residence Halls (last names M–Z)
Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th Street, lobby
This information session is mandatory for all new students living in a university residence hall.
Tuesday, August 21st
1:00–2:00 p.m. Writing Center Orientation
6 East 16th Street, room 1009
The University Writing Center helps students become better writers by offering individual tutoring in every aspect of academic writing. Tutoring can take place face- to-face at the center or over the telephone. Members of the staff describe the resources available and explain how to make the best possible use of the Writing Center. Repeated Wednesday, August 22, 4:00 p.m.
4:00–5:00 p.m. Library Orientation
6 East 16th Street, room 1009
Learn about the resources and services of the three New School library collections (Fogelman, Gimbel, and Scherman) and the Research Library Consortium. Library staff answer questions and show you how to make the best possible use of our libraries. Repeated Wednesday, August 22, 1:00 p.m.
6:00–8:00 p.m. Beyond Ramen
Lang Café, 65 West 11th Street, ground floor
Welcome to your kitchen. Don’t be afraid. You don’t have to be a chef to make delicious food, and you don’t have to go broke eating every meal out. Feeding yourself is a way of taking control of your life. Guest nutritionist Rachel Knopf tells you: where to food shop in New York City without draining your bank account, how to tackle your food preparation fears and how to plan meals for when you’re super-busy. Knopf offers recipes that are quick, affordable, healthful and, most important, delicious! Samples are served.
Wednesday, August 22nd
1:30–2:30 p.m. Group Fitness Class
80 Fifth Avenue, room 808
Learn about group fitness activities from the staff of Recreation and Intramural Sports. Pilates, yoga, zumba, and dance are some of the activities offered. Repeated Thursday, August 23, 2:30 p.m.
2:30–5:00 p.m. Tour of the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center and the Rubin Museum of Art
Meet in the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center Orientation Room, ground floor (enter at 2 West 13th Street).
Take a tour of the Sheila C. Johnson Design Center and the nearby Rubin Museum of Art. The Johnson Center, Parsons’ main facility, features an award-winning design by Lyn Rice Architects, where the ground floors of four historic buildings form an urban quad and open up Parsons Galleries to public view. The Rubin Museum of Art is the premier collection of Himalayan art in the Western world. Tour concludes with a reception at the museum’s café.
7:00–9:00 p.m. Open Mic Night
Wollman Hall, 65 West 11th Street, 5th floor
Come out and take a swing at the mic! Share your music, poetry, dance moves, songs, and art, or just enjoy the talents of your classmates at this showcase hosted by your orientation leaders. Refreshments are served.
10:00–11:00 p.m. Bicycle Safety and Repair Workshop
Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, Arnhold Hall, 55 West 13th Street, 2nd floor
Learn how to repair and maintain your bike and get tips for riding safely in New York City. Refreshments will be served. This event is co-sponsored by Facilities Management and the Office of Recreation and Intramural Sports.
11:30–1:30 a.m. Bike at Night
Departs from the lobby of 55 West 13th Street at 11:30 p.m. sharp.
Join the staff of Recreation and Intramural Sports for a late-night guided city bicycle ride. Bikes are provided free of charge to students who don’t have one. (Free bikes are limited; first come, first served)
Thursday, August 23rd
10:00–12:00p.m. It’s Never Too Soon: Introduction to Milano School Career Services
6 East 16th Street, room 1103
Carol Anderson, director of Career Development and Placement Services for Milano, introduces career services offered by the school.
3:30–4:30 p.m. Sustainability at The New School: Be Part of the Solution
66 West 12th Street, room 510
The New School is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2040. Learn what every student on campus can do to help the university meet this goal and find out where most of The New School’s carbon emissions come from, how reducing personal electricity use effects carbon emissions, why recycling is so important, how composting plays a role in mitigating global warming, and how you can get involved in sustainability efforts on campus.
4:00–5:00 p.m. Self-Care Workshop: Acupressure
80 Fifth Avenue, Student Health Services Conference Room, 3rd floor
Learn how auricular acupressure can relieve stress and help you maintain wellness.
5:15–6:15 p.m. Self-Care Workshop: Mindfulness and Meditation for Stress Reduction
80 Fifth Avenue, Student Health Services Conference Room, 3rd floor
Learn how to meditate and how to incorporate the four foundations of mindfulness into your life.
7:00–11:00 p.m. A Night at the Movies: Film TBA
Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, Arnhold Hall, 55 West 13th Street, 2nd floor
Join new students from all divisions of the university for a screening of a provocative film and a post-screening discussion. Free soft drinks, popcorn, and other snacks are provided.
Friday, August 24th
9:00–2:00 p.m. The New School Serves: Volunteering in New York City
Excursions depart from the Student Study Center, 90 Fifth Avenue, 2nd floor
New students are encouraged to participate in volunteer projects around New York City. Students can browse and sign up for volunteer opportunities at the Orientation Help Desk at 90 Fifth Avenue.
6:00–8:00 p.m. Jazz Night
Jazz Performance Space, Arnhold Hall, 55 West 13th Street, 5th floor
Start your first weekend at The New School with some hot sounds provided by students from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.
6:00–10:30 p.m. Staten Island Yankees Game
Departs from the lobby of 90 Fifth Avenue
Cross the harbor for a free minor league baseball game, including free ballpark snacks. Only 25 tickets are available beginning Monday, August 20; sign up at the Orientation Help Desk at 90 Fifth Avenue.
9:00–12:00 a.m. Residence Hall Movie Night
(Note: Commuters are welcome to attend.)
Screenings at 20th Street, Stuyvesant Park, 13th Street, William Street, and Loeb Residence Halls
Each residence hall starts the year off by showing a classic college-themed film. Resident advisors host this event, and snacks and soft drinks are free.
Saturday, August 25th
10:00–3:00 p.m. Introduction to Student Resources and Services
Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, Arnhold Hall, 55 West 13th Street, 2nd floor
All new NSPE students are invited to this interactive session, especially those who were unable to attend information sessions offered by individual offices. Representatives from Career Development and Placement, Student Services, the University Library, Computing Services, the Writing Center, Health Services, and many student organizations are on hand to provide information and answer questions. RSVP to Jackie Hadley at jhadley@newschool.edu.
3:00–8:00 p.m. New School, New York Scavenger Hunt
Meet in the Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, Arnhold Hall, 55 West 13th Street, 2nd floor.
Have a ball learning your way around New York City on our social media scavenger hunt. Teams compete by following clues sent via text message.
Sunday, August 26th
11:00–2:00 p.m. Classical Music Brunch
Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, Arnhold Hall, 55 West 13th Street, 2nd floor
A delicious Sunday brunch is even more delightful when accompanied by a chamber concert by students from Mannes College The New School for Music.
Monday, August 27th
6:00–8:00 p.m. School of Writing: New Student Orientation
Wollman Hall, 65 West 11th Street, 5th floor
Wednesday, August 29th
7:00–8:30 p.m. Jazz Faculty Concert
Jazz Performance Space, Arnhold Hall, 55 West 13th Street, 5th floor
Faculty members from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music perform jazz standards and original material.
Thursday, August 30th
4:30–7:30 p.m. 15th Annual Welcome Block Party
12th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
Join students, faculty, and staff for free food and activities including art, live performances, and student organization tables. Bring your NEWcard, your New School ID. (Rain location: Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, Arnhold Hall, 55 West 13th Street, 2nd floor)
6:30–9:00 p.m. Milano School Cross-Cultural Potluck Supper
72 Fifth Avenue, 6th floor
Continuing graduate students prepare the food for new students at this welcome party. The potluck event is one of the most enjoyable and anticipated orientation events for grad students.
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