NYC's "New School" Faces Revolt Over Survival Plan

The New School, a famous liberal arts university in New York City, is making major changes to survive. School leaders say they must act because of falling student numbers and financial problems. But the overhaul is causing a crisis. Many professors and students are protesting. They argue the plan threatens the school's core identity. The university is known as a bastion, or safe place, for critical thinking and the arts. Critics fear the changes will weaken this reputation. They worry the school will become more like a standard business college. Administrators say the changes are necessary. Without them, they warn, the school's future is at risk. The conflict highlights a difficult question: how can a unique institution survive in today's competitive education market without losing what makes it special?