YC Student Senate Passes Resolution to Create Test Banks

Mesorah-Busting Initiative to "Level the Playing Field" Among Students

Driven by the hopes of achieving "equity for the student body," the YC Student Senate, an advisory organization made up of eight student representatives, faculty members, and deans, recently passed an important resolution to set up a test bank for all courses in the College. This proposal marks the first time members of the three groups have come together with a realistic proposal in an attempt to solve the long-standing problem of mesorah, or the transmission of test materials from students who took a given course at some earlier point to current students. Extolling the resolution as "part of a larger initiative to make YC's academics of the highest caliber," YC Dean Norman Adler felt confident that the faculty would approve the resolution.

The proposal calls for each professor to submit to the Dean's office a copy of each final exam in each of his/her courses. At the beginning of the following term, the Dean will release to the student body copies of two recent final exams in each course from the collected exams or from other exams that the professor submits in their stead. The exams would then be posted on the Yeshiva University web page and/or in binders in the library.

The resolution states that it aims to eliminate the unfair advantage that some students have over their peers merely because they come "blessed" with copies of old tests from friends and "older brother"- type figures which many others, particularly entering students, are unable to attain. Further, the proposal asserts, "If all students have easy access to exams previously administered, they would then have more time available to spend grappling with the substance of the course, mastering the material, and demonstrating that mastery to the professor during the exam." According to Senate estimates, somewhere in the range of 15 to 20 percent of courses currently have a "mesorah problem."

Though passed by an overwhelming majority of nine to one, the resolution has caused extensive debate. The general consensus among the Senators is that, in the long run, the measure will drastically improve academic quality at YU. Seeing the proposal as a "stronger impetus for teachers to change their exams from semester to semester," Senate chairman Jeff Kohn noted that test banks are commonplace in other high level institutions such as Columbia University. Kohn emphasized that the Senate works for the students assuring that that the proposal has the full backing of the Student Council. Similarly, Michael Ausubel, the principal student Senator behind the proposal, argued that the resolution would benefit the entire student body. Admitting that no single resolution could change the students' "cultural attitude towards mesorah" or the faculty violators, Ausubel nonetheless "hopes to see students working harder and gaining more from their education."

Dean Adler asserted his readiness to pass such a proposal as well. However, Adler shifted much of the blame to the students. Referring to mesorah as a "pervasive cultural tradition," he felt, "anything that increases the student involvement through more individual learning is to the good." He noted, though, "The issue is of the students' responsibility" and that only a small percentage of the faculty actually repeat tests. He went on to further contend, "mesorah undermines a student's education," and reproved those who utilize mesorah instead of studying on their own as being responsible for "doing damage to a Jewish religious education and the way that we are perceived."

Rabbi Shalom Carmy, who favors the proposal, explained, "The purpose of finals is not to trick students. Therefore, I believe it's legitimate of students to have some idea of the format of tests." He further argued, "Whether or not one holds what I hold, the fact is that copies of exams circulate and it requires some gift at self-deception to believe that they don't."

The Sy Syms Deans, on the other hand, are vehemently opposed to such a resolution, barring their school from any participation in the program. Associate Dean Ira Jaskoll feels the proposal fails to address the problem. Asserting that it should be an individual professor's decision what he wants to release, Jaskoll remarked, "If the students feel mesorah is the problem, they should go after that and have Student Council print it." Noting different teachers' styles, he said, "Some teachers want to give out their exams and do so. Others share the format of the exam with their students. But the teachers should not be forced to give out their exams." Jaskoll claims, "Impressing on the teachers to not give old tests, that which we at Syms already try to do would be more prudent means."

Jaskoll further asserts that at Syms, administrators are not aware of a "mesorah problem." Agreeing that exams should not be repeated, Jaskoll, however, claims that that the Deans at Syms have never been given any specific information on professors repeating tests. "If we were told that this is a problem and given specific names of teachers, we will look into it and speak individually to the teachers," assured Jaskoll, "but those students who claim mesorah is a problem are not working with us. No one will divulge which courses they claim to be mesorah."

Likewise, Dean Harold Nierenberg believes the proposal is not a good idea. Admitting that he is aware that certain students have mesorah, he remarked that students should not have tests before they are administered. He believes giving out more tests is a bad idea. Instead, he constantly encourages faculty to change tests from year to year.

Making clear that the "Senate is not doing this to undermine those teachers who have been lax in creating challenging exams," Ausubel explained, "The Senate tried to come up with the most feasible plan, not cumbersome, not overly bureaucratic. No one is aiming to point fingers but rather to create an environment where all students can thrive."

Student opinion was split. As Avi Kuznicki remarked, "I think it will level the playing field. Also, not that I want to study less, but I will feel more confident in my studying knowing the teachers' style of the test." Others disagree with the proposal because they do not feel the proposal will solve the problem. Though not at the vote, Senator Shaya Stern said he would have voted against the proposal, "because the professors that are giving the same exams will do so anyway for they are aware that their exams are currently circulating." Still other students believe, "most people do in fact get a hold of the mesorah so the resolution is effectively unnecessary," as Ronny Sulimanoff remarked.

Whatever the results of the faculty meeting, Chairman Kohn asserted, "The students have the capabilities and will go forward with the test banks themselves even if the faculty does not approve of the resolution."

Related Links:

• College Progresses, Syms Regresses
• Discuss the mesorah issue on our Message Board