Frequently Asked Questions

We work with Unions. So if you are a Union member, we want to see that your Union knows that you are taking New Brookwood classes and supports you. Here is a sample letter. You can also have an elected Union leader write a simple email saying that they support you taking a class–email to rgulley@newbrookwood.org. 

People who are not yet Union members but are organizing, are curious about what it would take to organize or are retired Union members are welcome to take classes. In that case, you can ask someone you know who is a Union leader to write a letter for you. Reach out if you have questions. 

If you are not a Union member, are not retired, or are not organizing, you are welcome to reach out and tell us what you think you will get out of taking classes, but please know, this may not be the place for you yet. 

We are committed to serving students who want to advance the working class. 

If you are sponsored or can access professional development funds

If you are sponsored by a Union or employed by an organization that will benefit from your training, we ask that you request our standard tuition of $500 per class. This is the main way we raise money to cover operating costs at New Brookwood. If your Union or organization cannot pay $500, we ask that they pay what they can (this varies widely). 

If you are paying for yourself

If you are coming to New Brookwood on your own or your Union/organization is unable to pay your tuition, we ask that you make a donation that is meaningful to you. You can make a one-time donation, or–and we love it when folks do this–make a monthly donation that will support this work today and into the future.

Please note–we are a small organization, and our website currently has a single page for donating and paying tuition. If you are taking class, we will assume that your “donation” is meant for tuition, and will mark it as such. If we have any questions, we will reach out to you. You can also reach us with any questions –rgulley@newbrookwood.org.

Like the original Brookwood, New Brookwood Labor College is non-accredited and offers no grades or diplomas. We exist to serve students who are interested in building a radical and inclusive labor movement. Curriculum is rigorous, expectations are high, and work produced in the College will advance both the immediate needs and long-term goals of the labor movement.

Like the original Brookwood, New Brookwood Labor College is non-accredited and offers neither grades nor diplomas. 

We consider this a strength because we have the freedom to determine how to enroll students, who can apply and be accepted, what classes we teach, and how we engage our community.

One significant departure from traditional education models is that we do not "graduate" students–once you join New Brookwood, you will always be welcome. Students who have completed the core classes may continue to take new classes as they are offered or participate in advancing New Brookwood in other ways (some of which we know and some of which we anticipate our community will develop).

No. New Brookwood Labor College draws on the traditions of liberal arts education and exists to engage students in deep thought and discussion about the labor movement and the working class. We anticipate offering some classes that will engage students in specific organizing, bargaining, and enforcement tactics, and that organizing tactics will be present in our work but this is not our primary purpose. 

We have relationships with institutions that offer excellent training opportunities and we are happy to offer referrals–drop us an email at newbrookwood@gmail.com.

There are many models of popular education, and while we see New Brookwood more as liberal arts education for the working class, it certainly draws inspiration from some of the core tenets of popular education. In particular, we see education as inherently political, we believe that students and teachers are co-learners, and we seek to understand context–to connect the personal to the systematic and to understand history as part of where we are now and where we hope to go.

We are looking for people who are passionate and committed–who believe that another world is possible and want to work to create it. We are more interested in your beliefs, values, and interest in engaging in deep thought and debate than we are in your previous academic achievements.

New Brookwood Labor College curriculum is rigorous and we have high expectations for student engagement, but we are more interested in your passion and commitment than your previous academic achievements. Anyone wishing to enroll at New Brookwood must submit an application plus one letter of recommendation from a bonafide labor union and one letter of recommendation from someone else who can speak to their commitment to the movement. We believe that an inclusive labor movement is one that is accessible to everyone, so to the best of our ability we will work to meet our students' needs for success. Please reach out if you have specific questions.

The following policies and expectations were approved by the New Brookwood Labor College Board of Directors on 04/09/2019. 

 Academic  integrity is essential to a strong teaching and learning environment  and New Brookwood students are expected to complete coursework honestly .  This means presenting only original work and thoughts as the student’s  own and giving credit where credit is due. Students may not plagiarize  or cheat on work and must use appropriate citations in written work. New  Brookwood students are also required to present themselves and their qualifications honestly.

New  Brookwood recognizes that as a non-traditional institution, students  may need extra support to meet academic integrity standards. Faculty are  available to answer questions, provide training, and work one-on-one  with students to ensure high standards of academic honesty.     

 New  Brookwood Labor College is committed to providing equitable access to  learning opportunities for all students and will work to make reasonable  accommodations whenever possible.  Please reach out to New Brookwood  faculty with any learning needs.  

 New  Brookwood is an equal opportunity institution and diversity is a  central part of our mission to build an inclusive labor movement.  Neither enrollment nor hiring decisions will be made on the basis of  race, ethnicity, creed, religion, national origin, gender identity,  sexual orientation, age, marital or partnership status, pregnancy or  family obligations, disability, public assistance status, or veteran  status. Whenever possible, New Brookwood will make accommodations for  enrolled students who require additional support to participate fully in  classes or in community activities. 

Likewise,  harassment within our community will not be tolerated. This includes  but is not limited to unwelcome advances, coercive requests for sexual  or other favors, and/or verbal or physical threats or intimidation.  Students, staff, or faculty who experience harassment should email newbrookwood@gmail.com or communicate with a member of the faculty or the Board. 

  New Brookwood Labor College will follow St. Paul Public Schools  decisions regarding closures and delays. In the event that classes need  to be cancelled we will do our best to reschedule.   

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that  enhances our mission to build an inclusive labor movement and advances  the working class. Behavior that is contrary or detrimental to this  mission, including but not limited to harassment, intimidation,  coercion, hazing, plagiarism, cheating, or misrepresentation will be  dealt with by the New Brookwood Labor College Board of Directors and may  be grounds for removal.