Year In Review

The Yeshiva College Student Council has always had many different functions on campus. Our overall goal is to improve student life. However, such a task falls into many different categories. There is the onus upon us to make sure that students' voices are heard. This is accomplished through hours of meetings with the administration, as well as through publications such as The Commentator. Another responsibility is to create and implement programs that allow students to sit back and relax every once in a while. This goal is realized through the many functions and events that the Student Council sponsors. Finally, there is our civic duty to the YU community as a whole. This is accomplished through the various blood and bone marrow drives that we have sponsored over the years.

The year started off with a myriad of events. Orientation consisted of our extremely successful cruise, our trip to "Stomp," and to a Yankee's game. Throughout the year the various class councils ran programs such as paintball, scavenger hunts, the Late Show with David Letterman, X-S New York, IMAX movies, and bowling at Port Authority. The Sophomore class, led by Aryeh Goldberg, ran the first ever YCSC Bowling Tournament. Additionally, the newly established Student Activity Club, headed by Moishe Singer and Shlomo Herman, successfully ran trips to see "Visiting Mr. Green," "Footloose," and "Les Miserables." The second semester saw the formation of the innovative new Tuesday/Wednesday Movie night.

There were also our big bash events this year. Students were treated to Dougie's and Gotham Grill while watching the World Series, the Super Bowl, Midnight Madness, and the NCAA Championships. Once again we ran a very enjoyable Chanukah Concert, as well as the first ever Yom Haatzmaut Carnival (I apologize to all those who had to sit in the frigid dunk tank). Concerts were abounding this year, as the students had the pleasure of hearing Chaim Dovid and the Diaspora Yeshiva Band live on campus. Yeshiva College Student Council was also proud to sponsor the Dramatic Society's production of "Lord of the Flies."

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Daniel Drabkin and his staff for their hard work on this year's yearbook. It has been three years since a Yearbook has been published, and I am proud to say that through their tenacity and Student Council funding, we are going to be able to bring the seniors a Yearbook that they can be proud of. Additionally, I would also like to thank Moishe Schmerler, Jennie Weiss, and their entire Senior dinner board for the tremendously successful job of planning, fund raising (via Intercampus Mishloach Manot), and implementing what promises to be the most successful senior dinner ever.

The discussion must now turn to our accomplishments in the everyday quality of life, specifically on campus. If I would have to narrow it down to one specific accomplishment in this area it would have to be the refurbishment and restoration of WYUR. Over the entire year, through the hard work and tireless efforts of the student council, led by Hadar Weiss, we can honestly say that next year the students' voices will not only be printed, but will be heard over the air waves in our dormitory rooms as well. For the Sephardic minority who aren't always heard as loudly as all of us screaming Ashkenazim, we have secured and installed air conditioning in the Beit Midrash. Another convenience that was instituted as promised was subsidizing car services to the airports on behalf of the out-of-town students. Led by Aryeh Goldberg, a rebate program was set up to reimburse students for their cab fairs to airports. Additional improvements that will be seen around campus next semester include a new and improved game room, as well as 24-hour access to the TV lounge in Rubin Hall.

Academically, YCSC played an instrument role in the hiring and establishment of a fully functional Academic Advisement Center. In addition, I would like to thank Nachum Stollman for supervising the four very successful blood drives that took place this year.

At this point it would be unfair to conclude without thanking the entire Office of Student Services for their continued support in helping us with all our endeavors. Their office has been a bastion of goodwill and assistance in implementing all that we toiled to achieve.

Finally, I would like to thank those who have helped out the Yeshiva College Student Council in all of its capacities. It is the individuals who incessantly take the initiative to help their fellow students and their school who truly receive a rewarding college experience. It is easy to be a nay-sayer, critical of others; however, it is truly noble to step up and take on additional responsibilities to help out and work on behalf of what you believe in. I wish Jonathan Mell and his council much luck next year. I am sure that they will put in all the effort necessary to have an even more productive year than this one. It has truly been an honor to serve as President of the Yeshiva College Student Council, an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.