This collection primarily reflects the activities of Alvin Saunders Johnson during his years as director and president emeritus of the New School for Social Research (1946-1971). The files consist of biographical materials, correspondence, subject files, and writings. Because much of Johnson's work as president emeritus of the New School was concentrated on fundraising, the correspondence and subject files largely document this activity. Other projects documented here include Johnson's proposal to establish a labor college at the New School (which never came to pass), and launching a Faculty of Retired Professors. The Writings series includes drafts, typescripts, and reprints from publications documenting Johnson's abiding engagement with social issues, in addition to chapter drafts for his autobiography, Pioneer's Progress (published 1952).

Arthur J. Vidich (1922-2006) was a long-term member of the faculty at the New School for Social Research as a professor of Sociology (1960-1991). He published dozens of books, papers, and edited anthologies, notably Small Town in Mass Society: Class, Power, and Religion in a Rural Community (1958). This collection contains material documenting his teaching, writing, lectures, and other academic and professional work spanning his entire career. Included are correspondence with colleagues, friends, and presses; manuscript and typescript drafts of his writings; conference and lecture materials; subject files relating to his colleagues and personal life; and items pertaining to his teaching at the New School and other institutions, as well as his role as chair of the New School Sociology Department; photographs; and audio and video recordings of lectures, talks, and courses.

John Everett (1918-1992) served as president of The New School from 1964-1982. This collection documents the activities of the president's office during his tenure, and includes some files from prior presidents. Also included is material from Everett's board service at other academic institutions, and manuscripts for speeches and articles he authored. Some files are restricted. Please email archivist@newschool.edu for details.

Michael Kalil (1943-1991) was an interior architect, philosopher, educator and artist, known for his innovative work with new materials and for humanizing digital technologies. From 1981 to 1991, he was the principal of Kalil Designs/Kalil Studio, a firm that specialized in high-profile commercial, prototype and theoretical, and residential design commissions. Kalil also served as an adjunct faculty member at the Parsons School of Design. The collection includes Kalil's personal and professional papers, including original artwork, sketchbooks, journals, photographs, project records, architectural drawings, photoprints and sketches, design prototypes, and posthumous materials.

These papers document the academic career of Reuben Abel (1911-1997), beginning with his undergraduate study at Columbia College and doctoral philosophy studies in the Graduate Faculty of the New School for Social Research, through his professorship at the university. It includes course notes and syllabi, and material documenting his student activities, such as his role as founder and editor of the New School student magazine, 12th Street: A Quarterly. Abel's papers reflect his position within the Graduate Faculty, consisting of correspondence with colleagues and deans, appointment letters, faculty minutes, and committee documents; in addition to his role as instructor and advisor to students, consisting of lecture notes, thesis committee work and doctoral exam requirement reviews. Contains one annotated typescript of his work, Man Is the Measure.

Stanley Diamond (1922-1991) was an anthropologist and poet instrumental in establishing the Anthropology Department of the New School for Social Research. He chaired the department for fourteen years, during which time he founded and edited the journal Dialectical Anthropology. These papers document Diamond's writings and research, his role as a teacher and administrator, and material related to his participation in conferences and public seminars. Includes drafts of journal articles and presentations, ethnographic research data and notes, teaching materials, and correspondence with colleagues and publishers. Materials span the entirety of Diamond's career, from his doctoral dissertation on the Kingdom of Dahomey to his later interest in the intersection of anthropology and poetry. Some files are restricted. Please email archivist@newschool.edu for details.

The Schools of Public Engagement was formed in 2011 with the reorganization of the New School for General Studies. As of 2016, the division consisted of: the Bachelor's Program for Adults and Transfer Students (BPATS); the School of Languages; the School of Media Studies; the Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy; and the Creative Writing Program. The collection also holds the 1991-2008 records of the World Policy Institute. Dating largely from the 1990s until 2014, these records contain correspondence, memoranda, reports, budget and financial material, and faculty and personnel files relating to the administration and governance of the Schools of Public Engagement and their predecessor programs, departments, and schools. Some files are restricted. Please email archivist@newschool.edu for details.