YU Moves to Shut Down MTA

Community Mobilizes in Support of Yeshiva University's High School

Sources within Yeshiva University are calling the decision to continue regular operations at its high school, The Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy (TMSTA), commonly referred to as MTA, "a stay of execution" rather than a commitment to maintain the status quo.

Rumors surrounding the impending shut-down of the eighty-year-old boys high school garnered Jewish communal attention when both The New York Jewish Week and The Forward published articles regarding University plans in their respective January 15th editions. Both papers reported on a trend of declining enrollment at the high school. This, coupled with alleged financial problems related to MTA, as portrayed by YU's vice president for Financial Affairs Sheldon Socol, has resulted in a questionable future for the high school.

An additional factor cited by University administrators is space considerations on the Washington Heights campus. The high school, shares the Uptown Campus with Yeshiva College, which is currently experiencing a serious housing and classroom space crunch. Exacerbating the situation has been the inability of the University to properly accommodate the record enrollment of students at YC. Compounding this problem, University officials believe that enrollment growth at the men's college will likely continue in the foreseeable future.

These issues have given rise to two potential courses of action. The possibility that MTA may be granted financial and administrative independence from the University while retaining, to some degree, an academic affiliation with YU has been discussed. Alternatively, MTA could "merge" with another institution, what one MTA administrator termed "a fancy way of closing the school."

The identity of the institution with which MTA would merge in this second plan, most recently believed to be Teaneck's Torah Academy of Bergen County (TABC), has been the object of much speculation. Recent developments have caused any agreement with TABC to be unlikely. In its stead, two Long Island schools are being considered. The Commentator has confirmed that one of the potential partners is the Rambam Mesivta. The other is believed to be the new boy's high school opened by Hebrew Academy of Long Beach.

A passionate plea in favor of maintaining the status quo at MTA has been issued by alumni, parents of students, and Jewish community leaders. This wide-ranging objection has sent the University cowering back from its original plans. A press release from the University announced that classes at both MTA and YU's girls high school, the Samuel H. Wang High School for Girls (Central) in Holliswood, Queens, "will be conducted next fall at all grade levels." It further stated that ninth grade students are indeed being "actively recruited and large classes are anticipated at both schools."

A letter affirming these commitments was sent to YUHS current and prospective parents. The letter was signed by representatives of all of the factions involved - MTA Principal Rabbi Michael Taubes, Samuel H. Wang Principal Mrs. Rochelle Brand, Dean of Undergraduate Jewish Studies and current University liaison to its high schools, Dr. Michael Shmidman, and chairman of the YUHS Board, Mr. Elliot Gibber.

Nonetheless, the press release did re-emphasize the continued effort to find a permanent solution to what it called "demographic trends and changing enrollment patterns." The trends to which it refers include the rise of alternate local Orthodox high schools in the suburbs where much of the affected population is now concentrated. According to the University's director of public relations, David Rosen, these new schools offer educational experiences that parallel that of MTA, and, as a result, present formidable competition to their less conveniently located rival. Rosen's point, when viewed in contrast to the University's recent press release, highlights what MTA administrators see as an ambiguous University position that is of help to no one and presents serious doubts about future plans.

MTA Principal Rabbi Taubes and General Studies Coordinator Dr. Seth Taylor see a set of erroneous facts permeating recent discussion about the issue. Both vehemently contend that attempts to pinpoint MTA as the source of these new YU frustrations overlook the truth. Taubes does admit that a comparison between enrollment figures of MTA '93 and MTA '98 might reveal a significant decline in numbers. However, he views that decline as neither surprising nor unintentional. "Those numbers reflect an overall effort to improve the standards of the high school, which has included a more rigorous and selective admissions process. This approach was encouraged by YU administrators."

Despite that decline, Taubes was quick to point out, a student body comprised of 350 boys, including a freshman class of 90 students (a 17 student improvement over last year's number), is still impressive. In fact, those figures seem to best any other Jewish high school, including those with which YU has raised merger discussions.

In addition to the explanation about the enrollment statistics, Taubes claims a lack of understanding, from a financial standpoint, concerning the high school's alleged financial difficulties. Acknowledging that while operating under YU auspices he has never had full access to all of the financial facts, Taubes can't think of any possible reason that MTA would cost the University any money, barring a "mismanagement of funds."

Regarding MTA's academic stature, Taubes points to recent AP results, New York State Regents examination scores, and what he calls "a clearly satisfied parent and student body" to bolster his claim that MTA is very successful in its endeavors to serve the community. "Even the word on the street," explained Taubes, "points to a disciplined, positive environment [existing here]." Dr. Taylor enumerated many of these points in a letter to the editor of The Jewish Week entitled "Vibrant School," which, as the title implies, was aimed at presenting a side of the recent MTA saga that was almost completely ignored in the initial wave of press coverage.

MTA faculty members are utterly amazed at the timing of the negative University suggestions about their institution. "Why now?" asked one administrator, echoing the sentiment of not only fellow staff members, but students and parents alike.

In response to the published articles and the rumors, an ad was placed by parents of current students and recent MTA graduates in the January 22nd issue of The Jewish Week. In it, they expressed their gratitude to the school and its staff and offered their continued support for the school. Among the signatories were YU Roshei Yeshiva Rabbi Mayer Twersky and Rabbi Mordechai Willig, as well as other prominent members of the YU and metropolitan area Jewish communities.

Dr. Norman Lamm, the president of YU who is responsible for making the final decision, met with various Jewish community leaders and rabbis of area synagogues including Rabbis Shmuel Goldin, Fabian Schonefeld, and Heshy Billet regarding the situation. The consensus among these leaders is that MTA, through its espousal of Yeshiva University's Torah U'Maddah philosophy, serves a unique purpose within the Jewish community.

Some, however, deem these efforts futile. If indeed the sudden emergence of this topic is not a response to recent specific problems, but instead a culmination of University attempts to rid itself of a high school, then stopping such an effort might prove too tough a task. At a recent meeting of the MTA rabbinical staff, Shmidman mentioned that YU, as a university, may simply not wish to remain "in the high school business."

Rabbi Yitzchak Cohen, MTA mashgiach ruchani, pointed out the assumption of this contention-that the tie between YU and MTA runs through the University. According to him and other MTA and YU rabbis, the connection between YU and MTA has always been through the yeshiva that they both share, the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS). In fact, MTA is officially affiliated with and somewhat administered by the RIETS Board.

Accordingly, the YU claim that universities should not be in the "high school business" are irrelevant to these rabbis. Moreover, this claim conflicts with the practice of many yeshivot to operate their own high schools as preparatory programs. As a result, these rabbis support the status quo. MTA general studies faculty, while just as vehemently opposed to a merger, seem to support a push for independence with a preservation of University academic affiliation.

Despite community efforts to save MTA, the University is believed to still be considering both the independence and merger options . The former, clearly most desirable from an MTA administrative standpoint, involves making the high school an independent affiliate of both RIETS and Yeshiva College. This would require the current YUHS Board to assume all financial responsibilities and to handle academic management of the high school. Despite reports to the contrary, it is unclear if the independent school would be permitted to remain in its present location.

Elliot Gibber, primary proponent of the independent operation initiative, expressed his plan in a meeting that he called on January 5 to discuss the issue with MTA and its staff. According to faculty members who attended the meeting, Gibber's plan seems to involve MTA remaining in its present location for the foreseeable future. It was unclear, however, what the long term implications of the plan would be.

Complicating the issue are the University's concerns about the shortage of space at the Uptown Campus for the growing ranks of the undergraduate men's program. Gibber reportedly has deemed the potential merger a failsafe option.

A confidential source has informed The Commentator that the independence option discussed recently is nothing new. As early as September 1995, when Gibber took control of the YUHS Board, he had disclosed his intention to separate the school from YU financially. That plan included a five-year trial period with a gradual transition toward independence. According to Gibber, such a plan was suggested, but was never in any way implemented.

Gibber informed The Commentator that negotiations for an independent MTA and Central to be administered by the current YUHS Board are ongoing. He explained that the YUHS Board's representatives are presently in the midst of serious discussions with University officials about the nature of an agreement regarding future independence.

Gibber described his belief that independence would lead to the severance of formal ties between MTA and the University or the Yeshiva. He expects MTA to lease space from YU and remain in its current location. He emphasized that MTA would retain "an educational affiliation with the University." The specifics of such an affiliation will include the maintenance of the status quo involving the opportunity for MTA students to take part in YC classes, shiurim, and special programs.

In contrast with Gibber's account, University officials have made it clear that many questions remain and that a long term solution must be reached in the near future. This sentiment was echoed by MTA's Taylor, who believes, "what we need now is a strong endorsement from the University or a solid plan for separation and independence."

A spokesman for the University declined to rule out any of the possibilities currently thought to be under discussion.

Related Stories:

• MTA: Pros and Cons
• MTA--The Historical Dimension
• MTA, YU, and the Tyranny of the Few