SOY Constitution Unavailable for Months

Conflicting Reports as to Reason Why

The Commentator has learned that the 1998 Student Organization of Yeshiva (SOY) constitution has not been released to any student or faculty organization of Yeshiva University, or to the members of the current SOY Board.

The constitution was amended last April by the previous SOY government, and students who have requested to browse the revised constitution were denied access to it. Until recently, only two copies of the constitution were known to exist. One of those was thought to belong to SOY President Michael Gewirtz. The other was in the possession of Menachem Luftglass, the previous SOY President.

SOY is the organization that represents the students of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, including undergraduate students enrolled in the Mazer Yeshiva Program as well as semikha (Rabbinical) students. Although none of the student council constitutions have been printed in this years Guide to the Perplexed student directory (as has been the standard procedure in the past), SOY was originally asked to submit its constitution. Gewirtz, who didn't release the constitution, explained, "I had an issue as to whether I wanted it printed in the Guide and decided not to put it in. The constitution may be a public thing, but it shouldn't be flaunted in public."

SOY Secretary Eliezer Schnall asked for a copy of the constitution earlier this year during a conflict within the SOY board, but wasnt provided with one. Gewirtz explained, "The real reason Schnall didn't get it was because that particular situation resolved itself without use of the constitution." Other members of the current SOY Board, who wished to remain anonymous, claim that they have asked to see the constitution, but were denied access.

Gewirtz and several members of the previous SOY Board originally stated that there were two changes made to the constitution last April. The first change allowed for the creation of an additional Vice President whose duties would include overseeing the annual Seforim Sale. The second modification created a new Board position for a semikha graduate student who would be appointed by the current SOY government. It is not clear what powers or duties this semikha student would be granted.

SOY originally claimed that both amendments were unanimously approved by last years Board and added to the constitution. The addition that would allow for a semikha student to sit on the Board was proposed and created by Luftglass, who is now a semikha student. Ephraim Shapiro, the previous SOY secretary stated, "We don't believe that Luftglass created this position for himself this misconception is completely false."

After numerous requests over the course of one-and-a-half months, Gewirtz finally provided The Commentator with a copy of the SOY constitution. Hours before it was received, both Gewirtz and members of last years Board contacted The Commentator to retract their previous statements denying the existence of any amendment that would allow for a semikha student to sit on the SOY board. Accordingly, the version of the SOY constitution that was received by The Commentator contained no mention of this amendment.

Gewirtz explained that he originally misinformed this reporter when he stated that the semikha student amendment was added to the SOY constitution. He cited his failure to properly review the constitution as cause for this misinformation. However, members of the previous Board who also stated that the amendment was added to the constitution, did not provide an explanation for this apparent inaccuracy.

There are currently no faculty advisors or student committees that are directly responsible for the review of student council constitutions. Some students have expressed concern about possible manipulation of the SOY constitution by previous Board members for personal gain. As of press time, Gewirtz was still the only current SOY Board member with a copy of the constitution. He affirms that no changes were made before providing The Commentator with a copy. Additionally, he asserted that Menachem Luftglass, who still possesses the other copy, holds no official SOY position.