State Board Member Questions Removal of Yeshiva Papers

On Tuesday, December 21, the Yeshiva administration received a letter from Harold Levy, one of fourteen members of the New York State Board of Regents, asking that the university explain its reported silencing of student publications. The New York Board of Regents is the state entity responsible for chartering all colleges within New York.

Although Levy would not comment on the content of his letter, high level Yeshiva administrators informed The Commentator that the letter asked for an explanation of published reports that the administration has been removing copies of The Commentator during public events.

Harold Cohen, a member of the Board of Regents and Chairman of The Higher and Professional Education Committee, explained that the letter was sent by Levy as a private citizen concerned about possible censorship practices, and was not sent by the Board of Regents itself. Cohen said, "It is possible that if the University does not respond properly to Levy’s letter, he may bring the matter to the attention of the Board of Regents, but as of now, I believe Levy is acting as a private individual."

Almost immediately following receipt of the letter, the University held a meeting to discuss its contents. In attendance were Dr. Sheldon Socol, Vice President for Business Affairs, Dr. Morton Lowengrub, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mr. Jeffrey Rosengarten, Director of Supporting Service Administration and other high-level administrators. Notably absent was Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, the person to whom Levy reportedly addressed the letter. It was decided that Yeshiva’s General Council Martin H. Bockstein, Esq. will be responding on behalf of the University.

Cohen said that if a complaint was brought to the Board of Regents by Levy, the Board would visit the school to explore the matter further, and could then bring the matter to the attention of the Board of Higher Education, censure the school, abolish the Yeshiva Administrative Board, or ultimately remove the charter of the University.

The Board of Regents does not conduct yearly reviews of universities, but they do research all complaints brought to their attention. The Commentator has not filed a complaint with the Board of Regents, but internal pressure from Levy or pressure from the student newspaper would be enough to warrant further Board investigation.

Cohen said, "For the University to intrude on its own newspaper is wrong. This particular case seems to reflect improper behavior on behalf of the administration. I am a strong advocate of freedom of speech, it’s a part of what a university is and should be."

Related Links:

• Yeshiva Administrators Silence Student Publications
• University Pays Commentator in Censorship Case
• New York Times: Yeshiva Students Say the University Is Behind Removal of Campus Paper
• The Jewish Week: Who's Been Stealing the YU Newspapers?
• US News and World Report: 1999 Sheldon Award