First Year FAQ's Start of Term All Faculty Meeting

Start of Term All Faculty Meeting

At the start of each term, First Year holds a program-wide meeting to share new procedures and engage in topics relevant to introductory art and design education. Please be mindful of an email in your inbox announcing this date prior to the first week of the fall and spring term.

Substitute Guidelines

It is a requirement that Part-Time Faculty send email notification of course absence to the appropriate Course Coordinator and Associate Director of Part-Time Faculty Affairs. Per the Union Contract, Part-Time Faculty are entitled to take Safe and Sick Leave when applicable or emergency instance leave. In addition to notifying us and having an absence plan approved, you are required to submit your time off election in MyDay. HR’s Time Off Procedures page will walk you through how to do so.

Whenever possible, we would appreciate two weeks advance notice that you will be missing class and require a substitute. In the case of an emergency or illness, please give as much notice as is possible. If you are able to secure a substitute currently teaching the same course, you may recommend this substitute to your Course Coordinator and Associate Director of Part-Time Faculty Affairs. Otherwise your Course Coordinator will reach out to the full faculty teaching the course to find a substitute.

Syllabus, Canvas and The Learning Portfolio

When is my Syllabus Due?

Look for email communication from your Course Coordinator for a date to submit your syllabus draft for Coordinator feedback. Course syllabus templates can be found HERE.

In addition, post your syllabus to Canvas by the first week of class and turn in a final digital copy to the Parsons Deans’ Office when requested.

Are First Year courses required to use Canvas?

Yes. Canvas is a critical home base for your course.

Canvas is the primary course management tool in Parsons First Year. We have worked to increase consistency for students across our sections. Use Canvas Assignments, Grading and Modules in all classes.

Something that became very apparent in our remote teaching semester was the value of flipping the classroom and rethinking crits, demos and lectures. Here are some ideas for using digital content in an in-person class.

• The Flipped Classroom: Content like video demonstrations and lectures may be assigned as homework prior to a classroom session. This may allow for less faculty-centered content delivery in the classroom and increased student interaction, discussion and project work.
• Rethink the Demo/ Lecture: Content like video demonstrations and lectures may also be assigned for independent and small group viewing during a classroom session. This may allow for students to self-pace demonstrations, or interact with peers in response to lecture concepts.
• Rethink the Critique: Digital tools may be used during live classroom sessions – for example a canvas discussion or mural brainstorm could happen during class and be projected on the screen.
• Shared Resources: Course sections may continue to access the shared videos, worksheets and resources that were developed by faculty for multiple section use, or shared per individual faculty choice into the course google folders. These resources can be accessed via the Course Resource Folders

How do I find support for Canvas issues?

Canvas: Frequently Asked Questions

Are First Year courses required to use the Learning Portfolio?

Yes.

The Learning Portfolio is a tool that allows students to reflect on their work and the ideas that cut across the first year. If you would like to learn more about the Learning Portfolio or start your own teaching or resource portfolio, you can get started HERE.

Why? There is a value for a student to think about how their classes relate to one another. It’s also an opportunity for you to see what they are doing outside of your class!

Do my students need to launch their own Learning Portfolio?

No.

Each student has a portfolio automatically created for them before they get to campus. The address of their portfolio will have their user name in it. For example here’s John Doe’s portfolio address:

https://portfolio.newschool.edu/doej100

Can I search for my student’s Learning Portfolio?

Yes.Your student’s automatically-created Learning Portfolio is made with their net ID, the same ID that is part of their email address, so if your student John Doe’s email is doej100 their portfolio URL will be:https://portfolio.newschool.edu/doej100

You can also look in CanvasLearning Portfolio links are often found within the student bios on Canvas if they have added them. In the "People" navigation link for your class, click on the student's name to see if they’ve added a link to their LP.

TIP: Some faculty find it useful to create a google sheet that students can enter their own URL so the links for the entire class are easy to access

Is there a new editing interface within the Learning Portfolio?

Yes.

The template is designed to take advantage of the new Wordpress Block Editor which makes the experience of editing more drag-and-droppable.

What is the block editor? The new Wordpress Block Editor (also called Gutenberg) makes the process of creating a post, adding images, more intuitive. Here’s a brief video that will give you an idea of how it works and some more info on the Wordpress site

AI and Generative Tools in the First Year

We are seeing an increase in the use of AI in our classes. Here are some resources you can consider as you refine your syllabus that will help you address the use of these tools in your own classroom.

Generative AI at The New School

Language in our First Year course templates

The ways that you might allow or restrict the use of these tools should be considered and reflected in your syllabus. We have included the following language in the course templates with the expectation that you will supplement it with your own policy:

• Do not submit any final work - writing or images - generated by AI tools without written permission from your faculty.
• AI tools deliver results that have been synthesized and averaged from many non citable sources. Misrepresentations are easy to miss.
• The AI tech space is rapidly changing and will continue to be contested. Be discerning in how you use these tools.
• Remember why you are at Parsons - to invest in yourself as a creative. Explore these tools with curiosity and criticality, rather than dependency.

Student Cohorts and Student Support

Will students be in Cohorts?

FALL

In the Fall semester, First Year will continue the cohort model. Students will be pre-registered into cohorts of 36 students and will shuffle accordingly.

In Spring semester students will register on their own with a full choice for classes.

Spring

The Spring semester differs from the fall when students are provided a schedule that includes cohorts of students across classes. In the Spring, students are able to make a number of choices (for example which elective or Integrative Studio and Seminar they take) and have registered for their own schedule.

Are we still using Week 8 for mid-term check-ins?

Yes. The First Year Program asks all faculty to include a mid-term check-in as part of the week 8 class session. This gives you class time to provide each student with a detailed and clear assessment of how they are progressing in the course. This is a crucial moment for students – and we have seen how effective early and clear communication is to motivate students, and to provide the real opportunity to grow. It is a key moment for all students – regardless of their grades – to be seen and supported by faculty.

Below are some suggestions for Week 8/ Midterm Check-ins.

• Hold one-on-one zoom meetings with each student – summarize grades, accomplishments, growth opportunities.
• Hold a brief zoom meeting with the class and provide independent assignments for the remainder of the class period. Use the remainder of your teaching time to record voice feedback or in-depth written feedback to each student. (Beyond typical grading).
• If you decide to hold an in-person class on Week 8, take time for one-on-one check-ins in a quiet area with each student. (Just note that a student’s class standing is an individual conversation – not to be discussed in a room with multiple students.) Or provide written feedback.

Regardless of your approach, students should have up-to-date grades by the mid-term and a clear sense of their standing in the class. Faculty will also continue to fill out the Starfish Survey, written as a message directly to the student, for any needed follow-up with advising or other student support offices.

Can individual First Year students use the Making Center?

Yes, but access is limited. Students continue to have individual access to Making Center facilities, but pressures on shops, tools, and Making Center staff necessitate that faculty communicate some limitations. There are not enough orientation sessions or spaces in the facilities to allow students to orient to every shop in their first year. The ideal message for students is that they should figure out the thing that they would most love to explore and sign up for an orientation in that shop.

Some general notes for the Making Center:

• If your class is not centered around the use of the Making Center, Do not assign a single shop (for example the laser lab) as a making requirement for a project. Ideally faculty will assign projects that can be accomplished using a selection of shops/processes from which a student can choose rather than assigning one shop/process to the entire class. This will help avoid over taxing any single Making Center facility. Of course the exception here is the N2 shop for Space/Materiality classes and also some electives that focus on specific facilities.
• Space/Materiality and the N2 Shop Students will receive a shop orientation in the Making Center N2 woodshop in their Space/Materiality class and will be able to use that facility once they have received their sticker that certifies their access. Please note that some students take Space/Materiality in Spring rather than the Fall.
• Health & safety orientations Orientations for the laser lab, 3D printers, wetlabs and other specialized spaces will be open to First Year students, but again, please message that students should figure out what they would most love to explore and sign up for an orientation in that shop.
• Guiding students early The Making Center runs many of its orientation sessions early in the semester – within the first 6 weeks of class. Faculty should consider working with students early to determine their interests in various tools and processes. This way students can independently join orientation sessions that give them access.
• The Design Lab If you are interested in using the design lab with your students please be sure to read these updates about resources, hours, orientations, and equipment access.
• Task time, tools and printing Across all classes, faculty anticipate student access to open work spaces, tool check-out, equipment check-out, printing.
• The Making Center website The Making Center website has the most up to date information on available spaces and access: https://makingcenter.parsons.edu/

Can my entire class use the Making Center?

Classes will continue to have limits on access to the Making Center.

• Every Space and Materiality class will have an orientation session in the N2 shop.
• During class, Space and Materiality should continue to plan for the use of the in-class tool cart only + additional faculty tool bags stored in the faculty room.
• Sustainable Systems will not access L9 dye labs for regular classes

Are there tutors to help my students with writing, software challenges, time management, etc?

Yes

Course, Classroom & Student Support FAQ | Parsons Faculty

The University Learning Center (ULC) has a wide range of tutoring subjects and in class workshops. They provide Individual appointments in Writing, Software, Computer Programming, Oral Presentations, Math, Time Management and ADHD Coaching.

Where do I send students with financial related issues?

Course, Classroom & Student Support FAQ | Parsons Faculty

We ask you to please be flexible and understanding if a student comes to you to communicate their financial difficulties accessing a laptop, or any other tools or materials. Here are some recommendations on how to support the student:

• For long term laptop needs please have the student fill out the Special Access Laptop Request Form
• For short term laptop use, remind the student they can also Checkout a Laptop.
• Recommend the student to speak with a Financial Aid Advisor.
• Remain flexible and creative in the first few weeks of how a student (or any of our students) struggling with supplies, tools or equipment can remain engaged in the course. Some suggestions are:
• Have the student take notes and photos of key instruction moments and then use the lab computers to complete their homework.
• Propose to buddy up with another student as they do the in-class demos so at least they don't feel isolated.
• Document key moments of your in class demos and upload them on Canvas.
• Upload all presentation slides with comments/speaker notes on Canvas.

The One Stop Student Service Center serves as a single point of contact for the offices of Financial Aid, the Registrar, and Student Accounts, ensuring students receive accurate and timely information without needing to visit multiple offices. In person services are available at 72 Fifth Avenue, 2nd floor on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm and Tuesday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. Phone services and a 24/7 Digital Assistant are also available.

Communicating with Parents

FERPA at a Glance: A Guide for Faculty

Referring Parents Inquiries

If you get contacted by a parent or guardian asking for academic or program related questions or concerns you can forward them to the program director. If you receive questions or concerns about administration, housing, resources or other university wide related subjects you can forward them to New School Families

Student Participation & Attendance

First Year Guidelines on Attendance and Meaningful Engagement

Here you can find The First Year Guidelines and Recommendations on Attendance, Participation and Engagement. This document is a helpful resource to review as you finalize your syllabus, and plan for the start of the semester

Policies and Syllabus

Please see your First Year Semester Syllabus for up to date college-specific attendance policies that are in effect.

Student participation

It’s highly recommended that you explore the information about attendance and participation included in the Guide to Teaching and Learning. Here’s a relevant passage from Grading Attendance & Participation:

Attendance is easy; you can see if they’re there. But you can’t necessarily see if they’re engaged. Unless they ‘participate’. But why should a quiet student or a student struggling with language be penalized for lack of ‘participation’? Bias is inherent in evaluation of ‘participation’. Is ‘participation’ the faculty member’s perception that a student has spoken or contributed and how reliable is that perception? Are ‘better’ students perceived to be more active ‘participants’?

The document shares various strategies for offering students opportunities to participate that can be assessed.

Community: Workshops, Showcases, FY Journal & Notes

Will First Year run the usual evening Student Workshop Series in the Fall?

Yes.

More information about student workshops will be shared via email. Please be sure to promote them in your classes.

HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT THE FIRST YEAR JOURNAL?

The First Year Program will solicit submissions for a second publication of the First Year Journal in the final week of the Fall semester. Submissions for creative written and 2D works will be considered towards a current theme (to be voted on by the First Year and Journal team). All genres of writing and imagery will be considered, so long as the works are the intellectual property of the student (AI submissions not accepted) and were created since joining Parsons. Selected contributors will have the opportunity to read their work for the launch of the online Journal, and will receive two copies of the printed version.

Please check the FY newsletter for more info. Questions can be submitted to Parsons First Year

How will we showcase student work?

We will continue to celebrate student work in our in-person showcases on the 5th floor of 2 West 13th Street.

See the First Year Showcase Submission Guidelines for more information.

If you teach in Integratives or Sustainable Systems, please see instead the Integratives/Sustainable Systems Showcase Submission Guidelines (more information will be provided in the Start of Semester meetings for Integratives and Systems).

We will also continue to highlight work on Parsons Notes and Instagram on a rolling basis.

How can I follow First Year announcements and events during the semester?

Read the First Year Newsletter every Friday!!!! This comes to your inbox and includes student workshops, events, announcements, faculty development workshops and faculty news. Please promote workshops that are relevant to your course.

If you want to share your own news (exhibition, book release, etc.), email Parsons First Year Program with the subject line “For The Newsletter”. Note that it takes time to put the newsletter together- please share your item a week in advance.

Faculty Development

Are there regular opportunities to meet with First Year leadership?

Yes!

If you want to talk out a student issue and how to work with Advising, contact First Year Associate Director, Anne Gaines.

You may also attend office hours with First Year Director and Associate Director (see weekly emails for zoom link). These optional office hours are meant to support faculty in the midst of the unexpected, to brainstorm unique solutions or teaching approaches related to the classroom. You can stop by and say hello as well!

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Is there a resource that includes First Year resources related to Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice?

Yes.

Visit the faculty-created First Year EISJ resources website for information about EISJ related development opportunities as well as classroom reading and art and design resources.

Will there be any First Year faculty development workshops to assist in my Fall planning?

Yes. We will hold meetings during the year to help you manage your classrooms and develop your courses. Keep an eye on the messaging from parsonsfirstyear@newschool.edu

If I purchase supplies/materials for my course, can I be reimbursed?

NO. We are moving away from reimbursement as there is a lengthy process, that requires additional steps from Finance including but not limited to, adding a screenshot of a bank statement, & removal of tax. To prevent reimbursements make all purchase requests through the ADHT Operations team