University Pays Commentator in Censorship Case

As reported in The New York Times, US News and World Report, and other international media, the Yeshiva University administration last week paid the governing board of The Commentator $1,850.00 for newspapers allegedly confiscated by members of Facilities Management at the directive of high-level University administrators. The administration issued a signed letter, serving as contract, stating that the University will not again "remove or dispose of issues of The Commentator."

These events come after a month-and-a-half rampage by the Yeshiva administration to confiscate the printed editions of the feisty student newspaper of Yeshiva College. During that time, administrators stated publicly their unease with several articles appearing in recent Commentator additions. The most notable article questioned the intentions of the President’s office in using an $8 million donation.

The Yeshiva administration has allegedly maintained a long history of attempting to silence the student publications, however the newspaper removals intensified this year when employees of Facilities Management reportedly discarded all copies of the newspapers in preparation for events that were open to the public, including speeches by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Reverend Jesse Jackson, as well Open House programs for perspective students.

On November 23, Governing Board members of The Commentator contacted Assistant Director of Facilities Management, Paula Bomzer regarding what was deemed "a continued illegal and immoral practice on the part of the University." Mrs. Bomzer guaranteed that the newspapers would no longer be removed for any reason.

Yet, on November 30, when the N.Y.P.D. held a meeting downtown in Schottenstein Residence Hall, Facilities again removed 200 copies of The Commentator from the student dormitory. Risa Solomon, a SCW Senior who witnessed facilities removing the newspapers stated, "I can’t imagine why the Facilities Management would feel justified in removing the student newspapers whenever they feel like it. But I am pleased that The Commentator and The Observer have joined forces to defend the right to free speech on behalf of all the undergraduate students at YU."

On December 2, the editors-in-chief of The Commentator sent a formal letter to several Yeshiva administrators, including Rabbi Norman Lamm, President of Yeshiva, Dr. Sheldon Socol, Vice President of Business Affairs, and Mr. Jeffrey Rosengarten, Director of Supporting Service Administration. The letter stated, "We find this continued abuse to be unacceptable. We demand that the University state in writing that they will cease and desist removal of Commentators from any campus, at any time, without the written consent of the Governing Board of The Commentator."

Within twenty-four hours, The Commentator received a letter from Dr. Efrem Nulman, University Dean of Students, selected to respond on behalf of the administration, stating that "there is no university policy or unofficial practice that condones the disposal of The Commentator."

The editors of The Commentator, concerned that the University intentionally chose not to state that they will not again remove the newspapers, immediately replied with a second letter, explaining "it may be that when Facilities Management removes copies of The Commentator, it is not their intention to dispose of the newspapers, although many times the papers are in fact not returned. Your stated clause, therefore, still leaves open the possibility of removing our newspapers, as long as they are eventually returned. Our original request still stands..."

Following a query from Karen W. Arenson, education editor for the New York Times, the University conceded, and stated clearly that they do not condone "disposal or removal of The Commentator. Through this letter we are recommitting ourselves to this in the future." Along with the signed contract came a reimbursement check for $1,850.00.

After a requested apology for the sustained abuse of power by the administration, Rabbi Lamm during Dorm Talks answered, "It was done. What do you expect, a Chinese confession? [This issue] was relatively minor, we make mistakes and we gave you a response…but was it that great a crime?"

But the student-faculty senate of Yeshiva’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine, generously supporting the charge of The Commentator, passed the following resolution: "We extend to the editors of The Comentator, the Official Undergraduate Newspaper of Yeshiva College, strong support for your efforts in maintaining freedom of expression in the face of the censorship imposed by the University. We wish you well in your efforts to maintain journalistic integrity at Yeshiva University."

Related Links:

• Yeshiva Administrators Silence Student Publications
• State Board Member Questions Removal of Yeshiva Papers
• 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
• Dr. Lamm Addresses Issues in Years' first Dorm Talks