A New Beginning for the USS

My fellow students and community members, 

I hope you are well. I know that my message finds you at a time of tremendous change and upheaval, not just in this country, but at our institution as well, and we have been feeling its deep impact, with the highs relieving and the lows more daunting than ever.

Much of the same can be said for us on the University Student Senate (USS). We have undergone a period of immense growth this year, and expanded our interests and purview in ways that we have never before. But as is the case with all periods of growth, there comes a time to reflect and review in constructive and honest ways.

At this critical juncture, I come to you humbly as the new Chair of the USS, taking over for Adam Young after his departure, and as a Psychology Master’s student at the New School for Social Research. My goal then, for the remainder of this semester, is simple: to guide the Senate to safe harbor, for a new generation of student leadership to take the reins. 

Having been with this institution for so long, I know more than anyone that collective action and shared governance is a work in progress. Nonetheless, it is still my belief that the USS can be a model for our wider community during these challenging times, as both a beacon of perseverance and a forum where good faith discussions on the strengths and limitations of undertaking great change can take place. 

The Student Senate Fee that we collect, not just from undergraduate students, but Master’s and PhD students as well means that the University Student Senate belongs to each and every one of you. It is up to you, then, to decide what the future of the Senate should look like. As this semester comes to a close, I sincerely hope you can lend us your voices and perspectives as we enter the final stretch of our mission.

The New School truly is one of a kind, but it is only so because of the community that can weather whatever may come. I look forward to sharing with you details of our elections, financial audit, and what we have accomplished this year in the coming weeks.

Linfei Yang, USS Chair