For the students of Yeshiva University, opportunity knocks these next few weeks.

As returning students know, and as new students will soon find out, this time of our year is magical, for more reasons than one. Academically, we enter new classes with a new schedule; socially, there are new people on campus everywhere; on campus there are beautiful improvements wherever we turn; and, finally, spiritually, Elul is a time of renewed soul and revitalized determination.

As we enter this New Year, I'd like to consider what we might learn from Yom Kippur. Yom HaKippurim is the time for us to rethink our priorities, but more importantly, understand that our abilities are truly limitless. In Pirkei Avos, 5:27, the Mishna tells us, "L'fum tzaara agra" - "According to the effort is the reward." We are taught to emphasize the effort, and this is how to properly gauge success. The final outcome becomes less important because that rests in the hands of Hashem, and Yom Kippur is about exactly this: stopping ourselves from saying, "I can't," and telling ourselves, "I will." Hashem gives us the opportunity to declare our abilities to do, and to move beyond our past failures.

This time of year, I am formally knocking on every door in the university. We have been blessed here with a club for almost any interest, and I speak on behalf of your Yeshiva College Student Council when I say that we are willing to try to support any new ones! This is the time, and this is the place. Also, coming soon will be the elections for the Freshman and Sophomore classes. These positions, too, are great ways for students to get involved in improving student life.

Dormitory floor life is an integral part of campus life, and I am pleased to announce that YCSC will be sponsoring enhanced floor parties for every floor, so be on the lookout for details and be sure to stay in touch with your Resident Advisors. They can truly be great resources for anything from awareness of campus activities to academic advisement.

I'd like to briefly mention Orientation, once again, and formally express our gratitude towards the Deans of Students, Dr. Nulman and Mr. Himber for their assistance and sponsorship, and once again thank Mr. Andrew Leibowitz for his involvement.

Also, I would like to say thank you to Mr. Jeffrey Rosengarten and all the offices of Supporting Services for their hard efforts in renovating our gym, and for their continued support and interest in improving student life in general. They are the catalysts that truly beautify YU, and make college life here more superior every year.

Finally, congratulations to Eli Gurock and the entire staff of WYUR, who will be officially on-line this week, with programming ranging from political interest to music. Be sure to tune in to 530 AM.

In the last issue of The Commentator, the Editors-In-Chief expressed their renewed desire to work with the administration, and I would just like to add that we are excited about this re-established team. We'll be working together to make life better for every student on and off campus.

At this time of recharged excitement, we need to always remember that Yom Kippur is a time to return. A time for us to, once again, dream the wildest of dreams and to consider following them through. G'mar tov. Rest up over the Sukkot break, and think about those things that we can accomplish this year, together.