The Mission of New College
New College of Florida prepares intellectually curious students for lives of great achievement. It offers a liberal arts education of the highest quality in the context of a small, residential public honors college with a distinctive academic program which develops the student's intellectual and personal potential as fully as possible; encourages the discovery of new knowledge and values while providing opportunities to acquire established knowledge and values; and fosters the individual’s effective relationship with society.
Commentary on Mission Statement, Including Guiding Principles
As a member of the State University System of Florida, New College of Florida, the 4-year residential liberal arts honors college of the State of Florida, preserves its distinctive mission as a residential liberal arts honors college. To maintain this mission, New College of Florida has the following goals:
- To provide a quality education to students of high ability who, because of their ability, deserve a program of study that is both demanding and stimulating.
- To engage in educational reform by combining educational innovation with educational excellence.
- To provide programs of study that allow students to design their educational experience as much as possible in accordance with their individual interests, values, and abilities.
- To challenge students not only to master existing bodies of knowledge but also to extend the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
New College pursues these goals through highly selective admissions, an individualized and intensive "academic contract" curriculum, frequent use of individual and small-group instruction, an emphasis on student/faculty collaboration, a required senior thesis, and innovative approaches to the modes of teaching and learning.
Equal Education and Opportunity Policy
New College of Florida is committed to the principles of equal educational and employment opportunities for, and non-discrimination toward, applicants and employees with respect to race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and veteran status, as provided by law and in accordance with the College's respect for personal dignity. It is the College’s goal to create and maintain a work and study environment that is positive and free of unlawful discrimination. Further, the College encourages recognition of the diversity of its population and seeks to promote delivery systems, curricular activities, and programs that reflect this diversity in all facets of College life.