As an institution, we believe in the importance of life-long learning and in the centrality of education to a robust democracy. In our commitment to excellence — in the fine and performing arts, design, the liberal arts, and the social sciences — we eschew the cautious and predictable in favor of the courageous and bold.

From our founding, the university has viewed the world as an extension of the classroom, and through our curriculum and our programs we continue to engage the world. In 2003, we undertook a comprehensive identity study, Project Mirror. As a result of this project, we have determined that our civic engagement and innovation are best identified by the name The New School. This name unifies the schools and sets the university apart from our peers. Accordingly, effective June 2005, New School University will be renamed The New School. I am pleased to use this opportunity to introduce the university’s new name, the integrated new names of the schools, and our new visual identity.