ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Parsons School of Design Dismisses Third of Adjunct Faculty Amid Union Dispute

institutional · 2026-04-22

In late March and early April 2009, twelve adjunct faculty members from the Fine Arts Department at Parsons School of Design, which is part of The New School, were either terminated or labeled as 'non-rehired' for the 2009/10 academic year. Out of these, nine were outright dismissed, while three grandparented instructors received emails indicating that there were no available classes for them. Deborah Kirschner mentioned that five grandparented faculty would be assigned course loads by June 1, which would lower the non-rehire total to nine, although none of the twelve will be returning. Peter Drake highlighted a complaint from the College Art Association regarding the treatment of adjuncts, while Sven Travis insisted that no faculty cuts occurred, linking non-reassignments to changes in the curriculum.

Key facts

  • Approximately one-third of adjunct faculty (12 out of 42) in Parsons' Fine Arts Department were fired or not rehired for 2009/10.
  • Nine adjuncts were designated as 'non-rehired', while three grandparented faculty were told no classes were available.
  • Deborah Kirschner stated five grandparented faculty would get course loads by June 1, reducing non-rehires to nine.
  • The College Art Association submitted a complaint to Parsons over adjunct treatment.
  • Affected faculty taught subjects including Drawing, Sculpture, Painting, Professional Practices, Theory Practice, and Career.
  • Sven Travis claimed no faculty cuts were made, with numbers growing, and non-reassignments were due to curricular changes.
  • Peter Drake noted a shift of MFA teachers to BFA, moving away from traditional object-making.
  • The dismissals were communicated via email before spring recess in March/April 2009.

Entities

Artists

  • Peter Drake
  • Deborah Kirschner
  • Sven Travis

Institutions

  • Parsons the New School for Design
  • The New School
  • School of Art, Media and Technology
  • Fine Arts Department
  • College Art Association
  • artcritical

Locations

  • New York
  • United States

Sources