NEW SCHOOL FACULTY MEETING

Saturday, March 21, 1953

10:30 A.M.

AGENDA

1. Discussion of recommendations contained in the New School Study.

a. That in view of the predominance of women under thirty in the student group (over one-third of the total), and in view of the fact that more of them than of the men have had only a high school education, consideration be given to the adequacy of the present curriculum to serve their particular needs and interests.

b. That further study be given to the possibility of enlisting as students a large proportion of "Proprietors, Managers and Officials (including Junior Executives)", through the offering of more courses in such fields as labor relations and problems of management.

c. That careful consideration be given to the provision of a larger number of two-term courses and of courses that together give a more adequate coverage of basic fields.

d. That care be taken not to over-emphasize the utilitarian as over against the broadly cultural in the construction of the curriculum of the New School.

e. That serious thought be given to a plan whereby the bringing in of friends by a New School student might be rewarded by some appropriate means, perhaps by public recognition for those bringing in the largest number.

2. Proposals for more general courses on personal development, human relations, civics, economics, and other fields.

3. Can the third hour be developed into the equivalent of a full course? What is needed in order to justify the granting of two points of credit for it?

If this is feasible, three hour courses would carry four points of credit, which in turn would shorten the B.A. program and make it more attractive in other ways as well.

4. Your comments on briefing and counseling in class at the beginning and the end of each term.

THE NEW SCHOOL

66 West 12th St. New York 11
Oregon 5-2700

March 10, 1953

Dear Mr. Seligmann:

Not having heard from you last week,
I am leaving this note for you.

After getting your expense memorandum
I spoke with Dr. Simons, who has allowed an
expense account of $10 per session, which I
hope will solve the problem.

May I ask you to consider this as completely confidential, since we would be unable to afford such changes more generally.

With cordial greetings,

Mr. Kurt Seligmann
Sugar Loaf, N. Y.

The New School for Social Research
66 West 12th Street
New York 11, N. Y.

Dear Instructor:

According to my records, the last session of your current term Course # 620 will be May 27.

Sessions Missed: Mar 25

Make-up Sessions May 27

Final Examination Date June 3

Will you please remind credit students that term papers should be submitted by the 13th session of the course. Only under exceptional circumstances will extensions be granted beyond the close of the term. Forms for this purpose may be obtained in the Student Adviser's office.

All regular credit students (B. A., General, P. R. Certificate, or Transfer Credit) are required to take an examination and to submit a term paper. Students applying for Teacher's Alertness Credit or veterans who are not credit students need do only one - either a term paper or an examination.

Examinations are planned for the regular class period and, if possible, in the regular classroom for one week following the close of the term.

Please notify me concerning the following points as soon as possible:

1. Any difference in examination plans from those indicated above.

2. Whether or not you wish a proctor for your examination. Proctors must be arranged for as early as possible.

3. Examinations questions for mimeographing should be sent in at least two weeks before the examination date.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sugar Logaf, N.Y.

May 6th, 1952

Mr. Charles F. Godley
Registrar
The New School for Social Research
66 West 12th Street
New York, N.Y.

Dear Mr. Godley:

Thank you for sending me various papers concerning
examination. Besides the eight students listed by you
I have in my course the following "either" students whose
requirements, if I am correct, are either term paper,
or an examination:

Levinstein, Leon

Limon, Luba

Lowe, R.A.

Setkovski, Walter

Frankfurt, Daniel

I presume that they should tell me which one of the exa-
inations they want to make.

Daniel Frankfurt entered my class only two weeks ago. Exami-
nation for him is rather difficult.

Walter Setkovski found a job and left the class on April 30.
I do not think that he has time to make his examination.

Faculty evaluation:

My course is that of lectures. It is rather hazardous
to pronounce myself about the students' ability and progress
before examination. They all seemed attentive listeners and
they participated in the discussions that followed each
talk. That is about all I can say. If this is sufficient at
I will fill in the evaluation papers in this sense.
Kindly arrange for a Professor for examination.

I shall submit the _examination questions_ in time.

I understand that examination takes place on June 3, 1952,
No change of examination plan is projected.

THE NEW SCHOOL

May 7, 1952

Mr. Kurt Seligmann
Sugar Loaf
New York

Dear Mr. Seligmann:

Thank you for your letter regarding your non-credit students and your telephone call stating that you are planning an oral examination. This is quite satisfactory. If you wish to save yourself a trip, you may give the exam after your regular meeting on May 27, or we shall reserve your regular room for you on June 3rd.

There should have been a grade sheet in your envelope to cover the names of the students you listed in your letter. You may use the enclosed list if there was not one. Enclosed also is a new list with Mr. Lowe's name since he is a credit student.

Mr. Satkovski has been kept on the list since he has not withdrawn officially. Mr. Frankfurt was transferred to your course so late because he is a veteran and was enrolled in Mr. Blake's course which was cancelled after the middle of the term. We cannot expect him to do very much in your course so we will credit him with a satisfactory status as long as his attendance has been satisfactory.

KURT SELIGMANN

Sugar Loaf, N.Y.

February 18, 1952

Miss Clara W. Mayer, Dean
The New School
66 West 12th Street
New York 11 N.Y.

Dear Miss Mayer:

I asked your permission to defer my lecture of March 25, and you have been kind enough to grant me this permission. I would like to know whether the lecture The Quest of Space is scheduled for April 1, or May 27? Kindly let me know your decision in this matter.

For the lecture Color and Cinematic Experiments, I plan a projection of a color sound film on contemporary painting. Is it possible to have a classroom larger than 21 for this evening, and may I rent a good sound projector at the school?

As a part of my lecture on the non-objective, I would like to invite -at my expense- a guest speaker, as I wish to present the problem in form of a dialogue. Would you consent to this?

The students' response on February 5 was satisfactory; I have the impression that everything will work smoothly.

THE NEW SCHOOL

August 30, 1951

Dear Mr. Seligmann:

Here are the details with regard to the course you will
be giving at the New School during the coming year: #624,
Aesthetic Experience, is scheduled for 15 weeks in the spring
on Tuesdays, 8:30-10:10 P.M., beginning February 5th. #669,
Etching and Printing, is scheduled for 15 weeks in the fall and
spring on Mondays, 8:00-11:00 P.M., beginning Sept. 24th and Feb.
4th.
We try to keep formalities to a minimum but to these then
we ask your most earnest attention. The Registrar will
write you in detail as to just what we do expect shortly
before the opening of classes. I look forward to your
being with us and hope that, on many counts, you will
find the association both pleasant and productive.

The enclosed blank is the form of oath required by New
York State of every public and private school instructor
at each institution where he teaches. When you have
signed it, will you please return it to me for my signa-
ture? Also kindly fill out the withholding tax form,
which is needed for our files.

For auditing purposes, formal confirmation is needed of
our financial agreement, viz.: For course #624: 50% of
net income. For course #669: 2/3-1/3 division of net income
up to $20 per 2-hour session; 50% beyond $40 per 2-hour session.

It is our understanding that, in the event of insufficient
registration, the course may be withdrawn upon the initiative
either of yourself or the New School,

Will you be good enough to signify your acceptance?

Mr. Kurt Seligmann,
80 West 40th St.,
Studio 64,
New York 18, N. Y.

THE NEW SCHOOL
FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH

66 WEST TWELFTH STREET
NEW YORK 11, N.Y.

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

OREGON 5-2700

February 16, 1953

Dear Mr. Seligman:

Permit me to approach you personally in a matter which, while seemingly unimportant, has become quite an issue with many of our students. It is the question of smoking in the classrooms. Years ago we made the typical compromise: no smoking during the first hour of each session, unrestricted smoking afterwards.

Being a smoker myself -- which I hesitate to admit -- I sympathize with those who cannot indulge themselves during the first hour. However, I also feel with those who, whether a majority or a minority, have to suffer from the enjoyment of others because smoke is all pervading.

As long as we observed the rule everything was bearable. Recently more and more instructors and students have disregarded it, to the growing dismay of non-smokers. Several students actually withdrew from classes for this reason.

I know from experience that the rule can be easily "en-
forced" by example and persuasion -- if both are combined. There is
strong pressure for a general non-smoking rule in all classes. It can
be met if we stick to the compromise. It, in turn, will be observed
if you yourself comply with it.

This, then, is an earnest appeal to you please not to
make fun of this rule but to refrain from smoking during the first
hour, to remind your students of this, and to help them to make it
work.

HS:LYF

Mr. Kurt Seligman
Sugar Loaf
New York

THE NEW SCHOOL

April 2, 1952

Mr. Kurt Seligman
80 West 40th Street, Studio 64
New York 18, New York

Dear Mr. Seligman:

Miss Robertson of Dean Mayer's office has told me that you telephoned regarding the requirements for credit students in your course since you were not certain as to the details. Attached is a copy of a letter which was sent to instructors with the class slips at the beginning of the term. You will note that all credit students except Teacher's In-Service Credit (also called Alertness Credit) and non-credit veterans are required to do both the final examination and the term paper. The Alertness Credit students and the non-credit veterans may do either one, the choice depending upon you.

We shall send you near the close of the term a grade sheet for credit students and one for the non-credit veterans. The final examination is scheduled for the week following the last session of the course at the regular class time and, if possible, in the regular room. The instructor is not required to be present for the examination, but may ask for a proctor. You will receive a notice about this later in the term.

I hope this clarifies the question, but please do not hesitate to call me if there is anything further I can do for you.

Enc.

THE NEW SCHOOL

December 24, 1952

Dear Mr. Seligmann:

Following the suggestion made at the last faculty meeting, we have ordered additional proofs of the spring catalog which are now available on the third floor. We would appreciate it if you would look them over before our January 10th, 1953, meeting, so that we can discuss the spring program -- especially with a view to advising your students on what may be of interest to them in the next semester. You may recall that it was proposed we split up into sub-groups in order to go over the courses in each field in greater detail.

Dr. Simons will report on a recent visit to the New School of a representative of the State Education Department, particularly with reference to the B.A. program and ways to arrive at more objective standards of grading.

Once again we are planning a summer session and would welcome ideas as to how it might be most profitable to students we already have; and how it might be used to attract others.

KURT SELIGMANN

Sugar Loaf, N.Y.

April 10, 1952

Mr. Charles Godley
Registrar
The New School
60 West 12th St.
New York 11 N.Y.

Dear Mr. Godley:

Thank you for your letter of April 2. From Miss Mayer's office I got information that only final examination, not terms/papers were necessary for all students.

In order to clarify this problem, I shall call you next Tuesday when I am in New York.

KURT SELIGMANN

Sugar Loaf, N.Y.

February 18, 1952

Miss Clare W. Mayer, Dean
The New School
66 West 12th Street
New York 11, N.Y.

Dear Miss Mayer:

Having been invited by the University of Illinois to have a series of lectures there I asked your permission not to lecture at the New School on March 25. You were kind enough to grant me this permission. The subject of my talk, on March 25, would have been The Quest of Space. I would like to know whether this subject should be treated upon on April 1, or at the end of the course, i.e. on May 27? At first glance the latter solution seems more convenient, as otherwise all lectures would have to be displaced from March 25 on. Would you kindly let me know your decision in this matter?

During my lecture Color and Cinematic Experiments I would like to project a color sound film on contemporary painting. Is it possible to make this projection in a class room larger than N.21? Is there a good sound projector at the school?

As a part of my lecture The Illmatched Brothers, I would like to invite a guest speaker in order to present the problem in form of a dialogue. Would you consent to this?

And finally: when are the term papers due?

Very sincerely yours,

THE NEW SCHOOL

Dear Instructor:

These slips come to you in place of a class list so
you may know your students as soon as possible. Additional
slips will reach you from time to time as there are more
registrations. You will also be notified of transfers or
other forms of withdrawal.

The blue slips represent credit students as follows:

<table><thead><tr><th>Status</th><th>Requirements</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1. B. A. Candidates</td><td rowspan="4">Term paper and final examination</td></tr><tr><td>2. General Credit</td></tr><tr><td>3. Transfer Credit</td></tr><tr><td>4. Public Relations Certificate</td></tr><tr><td>5. Teacher's In-service credit</td><td>Term paper or final exam</td></tr><tr><td>6. Attendance certification</td><td>Attendance only</td></tr></tbody></table>

In the case of veterans we have noted on the lower right
hand corner of the slip the code "SRA". Veterans are re-
quired to be regular in attendance but are not necessarily
credit students. However, every veteran must either take
the final examination or write a term paper, whichever the
instructor may decide.

Will you please announce at the first three meetings of
your class that the ticket-taker at the door holds the attend-
ance lists and that it is the responsibility of all credit
students and veterans to sign this list prior to entering the
classroom each session.

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL CREDIT STUDENTS

CREDIT WILL NOT BE GRANTED UNLESS ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE met.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CREDIT STUDENTS: (B.A., General Credit, Transfer Credit, and Public Relations Certificate)

1. Write a Term Paper (for details see attached Special Instructions)

2. Take a final examination

3. Attend all class sessions

4. Do the required reading

TEACHERS ALERT LESS CREDIT (Board of Education Increment Credit only)

1. Regular attendance (no more than one unexcused absence is permitted.)

2. Do 60 hours of outside reading

3. Term paper of 1,500 words - (Instructor may require an examination in place of the Term Paper.)

ATTENDANCE

It is each student's own responsibility to sign the attendance sheet at each class meeting, as well as the third hours: this sheet is held by the tickettaker at the door of the classroom. Credit will be withheld if attendance is not recorded or absence unexcused.

NO MORE THAN ONE UNEXCUSED ABSENCE IS PERMITTED.

To obtain excuse for an absence a written statement setting forth the reason for absence must be presented to the Registrar. Only valid absences can be excused. Illness excuses must be accompanied with a doctor's certificate; absences due to business should be verified by a note from the employer. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, must be made up by doing an extra assignment called for by the instructor, such as a book report, extra reading, etc.

TERM PAPERS

Must be submitted no later than two sessions before the last of any class.

WITHDRAWALS, TRA SFERS, Etc.

Students who wish to drop credit or make any other change concerned with credit, must notify the Registrar's Office by the 8th session of the term; otherwise final records will indicate failure for the course. Change from non-credit to credit or transfer from one course to another or refund is governed by the general New School rule - only prior to the third session of any class.

NO REFUNDS ARE GRANTED IN WORKSHOPS AFTER THE FIRST SESSION OF THE COURSE

STUDENTS WHO DO NOT COMPLETE CREDIT REQUIREMENTS AND FAIL TO NOTIFY THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE BY THE 8TH SESSION OF THE TERM WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO MAKE UP THE WORK.

NEW SCHOOL FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
66 West 12th Street
New York 11, N. Y.

# INSTRUCTIONS FOR TERM PAPERS

## PURPOSE

The purpose of a term paper is to give the student the opportunity to study in greater detail and gain deeper insight into that phase of the material presented in the course which interests him most. The term paper should give proof of outside reading and show ability to organize material and present a valid conclusion based on it. Therefore it should contain an outline, a bibliography, and detailed references to reading in the text.

## REQUIREMENTS

The student should keep the following factors in mind while preparing his paper: amount of research (not length of paper), originality, evidence of having thought through a problem, ability to ask pertinent questions, integration of facts, neatness, and composition. What you say will receive first consideration, but how you say it will also be judged. How much you write is of minor importance, but it is doubtful that any subject can be satisfactorily presented in less than 10 typewritten (double spaced) pages.

As to form, it is suggested that you make use of the following regulations: (1) Enclose in quotations all material taken directly from other sources. (2) Paraphrasing is permissible, but always give credit where credit is due. Do not be too modest, however; no one has a monopoly on ideas. (3) In using footnotes number them consecutively and place them at the bottom of each page; as in the following example:

1. William F. Ogburn and Meyer F. Nimkoff, SOCIOLOGY Houghton Mifflin Company, 1946, pp. 10, 12.

2. Ibid. pp. 14-38.

As to content, the following divisions of the paper should be evident: (1) a statement of purpose—just what your objective is, what you are trying to find out; (2) the evidence which you have brought to bear upon the problem; (3) a summary statement or conclusion of about 300 words presenting what you did find out.

THE PAPER WILL BE DUE ON THE SECOND TO THE LAST MEETING OF THE SESSION.

THE NEW SCHOOL

May 20, 1952

Dear Colleague,

Some points seem to be unanswered in our booklet, "American Business Has a New Idea". Perhaps many of your questions will be clarified in this note I hasten to send you.

If a businessman gives $1000, which is tax deductible, the New School is ready to give scholarships for his employees worth $600. The recipients of these scholarships may become Associates, can take graduate courses, B.A. courses, workshop courses, and/or any other courses in the New School equalling a total of $600 for one year. The employer is free to determine how these scholarships are to be allotted as long as the total is within $600.

I have spoken with several students who are connected with business firms and who are interested in informing their employers of the Business Scholarship Plan so that they may study next year tuition-free.

Will you please inform your students about this plan as soon as possible, because they can benefit if this information is passed along in time. Will you kindly return the questionnaire to me at your earliest convenience? I neglected to ask you to sign your name to it. Will you please do so?

hs:bb