Students have occupied The New School’s University Center at 63 Fifth Ave. following the university’s decision to withhold pay to all striking employees.

In an email sent on Monday, the university announced that all employees who continue to strike will lose access to wages and university contributions to health insurance and retirement benefits, effective yesterday.

This afternoon, the student-led group in support of the part-time faculty, Student Faculty Solidarity, said that the university administration is no longer representative of The New School in an Instagram post announcing the occupation.

“The recent attacks from the administration on The New School community leave us with no option but to escalate student action,” the group said.

Students plan to stay in the University Center until the university resumes pay and benefits for all employees and a fair contract is reached, according to Student Faculty Solidarity.

“The university supports free expression by our students and is continuing to work to reach a strong, fair, and fiscally responsible contract for our part-time faculty,” Amy Malsin, the ​​assistant vice president of Communications and Public Affairs at The New School, said in an email to The New School Free Press.

This is a developing story. Check back here for updates and follow us on Instagram at @nsfreepress.