Little Accomplished in Search for Syms Dean

A month after Sy Syms School of Business Dean Harold Nierenberg made his intentions to retire public, the University has taken few steps in pursuing a replacement for his position. According to his resignation letter, Dean Nierenberg will vacate his office at the end of August coinciding with the beginning of the fall semester.

A search committee to fill the vacancy and leadership void that will be created when Nierenberg leaves, has not yet been formed, according to University officials who anticipate being included in such a committee if one had been formed. Individuals close to the Syms Dean assert that it was precisely this type of non-action that Nierenberg feared when he decided to resign, precisely the reason he announced his intentions to retire ten months in advance.

Seeking to ease concerns, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Morton Lowengrub, explained that the university has commenced the initial proceedings that in time will lead to a formal search committee charged with performing a national search for a new dean. When asked whether the committee would be looking for someone outside the Yeshiva community as opposed to in house, Lowengrub reiterated that it is the task of a national search committee to perform a thorough search, examining all potential candidates. The final decision will be made only after selecting the best possible candidate for the position. Lowengrub realistically expects that the search will find success rather quickly and a new dean will be in place at the start of next year’s fall semester.

It has been rumored for some time that the creation and implementation of a masters of business affairs program would be atop the agenda of a new Syms administration. Lowengrub commented that while the idea has not vanished, "the number one priority will be to make the Sy Syms School of Business the number one undergraduate business school in the country."