Filled Beyond Capacity

Lack of Space Forces YC Students into MTA Dorms

Continuing the recent growth trend at Yeshiva University, undergraduate enrollment at the Main Campus has reached an all time high. With 1132 students registered this year, there is a shortage of housing available for undergraduates in the residence halls and the University regulated apartments. As a result, a number of students who signed up late for housing were force to take up residence on the first floor of Rubin and in the Strenger Residence Hall, a facility generally reserved for the students of The Marsha Stern Talmudic Academy Yeshiva University High School for Boys.

Faced with a similar problem last year, the University elected to create the "Independent Housing Program" (IHP) in two neighboring apartment buildings. This "solution" forced over eighty reluctant students to move into then ill-prepared apartments because there was no room in the dormitories. This year, with all of the traditional residence halls as well as the IHP apartments filled to maximum capacity, the University resorted to other creative efforts to accommodate the students.

Some of the eleven undergraduate students who were placed in Strenger Hall pointed out a few of the disadvantages of living in the high school dorms. Among these are the smaller size of the rooms, some of which have bunk beds as opposed to the traditional single beds found in the college dorms. Furthermore, the students felt they were missing the "dorm environment" that many regard as an essential element of the college experience.

Yeshiva College students in Strenger Hall were placed on the third floor, which is usually used for students of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and is separate from the high school floors. These students were asked to remain patient as the Office of Residence Halls looks for alternative housing arrangements, such as openings in the dorms or in the IHP apartments.

Efrem Nulman, University Dean of Student Services, explained that "many colleges are struggling with housing space…an ideal solution would be to look for a building to purchase and then convert this building into student housing. We already did this at Stern and until we can accomplish that here, we will continue to accommodate students in the best possible manner."

Mixed feelings can be found among the undergraduates assigned to live in Strenger Hall and on the first floor of Rubin. Simon Landsberg, a YC/IBC Freshman housed in Strenger emphasized that "it was a very, very rough start, but I am trying to adjust."

Ari Lieber, a YC/JSS Senior housed on the first floor of Rubin, referred to the Rebbeim and facilities also located on that floor. "I think that having spiritual advisors right next door and world class medical help only seconds away is a college student's dream come true. Having a Beit Medrash down the hall doesn't hurt either."

Paul Starkman, a YC/SSSB Junior residing in Strenger, informed The Commentator that he was recently issued a dorm room that became available in Morgenstern Hall, but would not be moving because he already paid the telephone installation fee for his room in Strenger Hall and the Office of Residence Halls refused to reimburse him for the cost. When this reporter informed the Office of Student Life of the situation, Dr. Nulman, who was not aware of the existing problem, immediately informed Starkman and all others in his situation that the University would help pay their telephone installation fees.

Meanwhile, the Office of Student Life and Office of Residence Halls are continuing to work together to accommodate the students who live in Strenger Hall and on the first floor of Rubin. The University is considering several immediate solutions for both this year and next. However, due to the expected continued increase in enrollment, long term solutions to this housing problem need be found. The University would not comment on the existence of any suitable buildings for purchase in the neighborhood. Until a new dormitory is constructed, the current difficulties are expected to worsen.