President's Circle Refuses to Fund Commentator

The President's Circle, a University entity responsible for allocating yearly donations to campus organizations, recently announced that it will not contribute any funding for The Commentator, the official student publication of Yeshiva. The move was the first of its kind in recent memory, and many student leaders now believe it to be a continuation of administrative attempts to silence Yeshiva's strongest student voice.

The President's Circle recently announced the allocation of some $38, 095 in funds to various YU student organizations and interests. Proposals detailing the need for funding and intended uses of donations were submitted by student leaders to the Circle. Just two weeks ago the President's Circle dispatched a spreadsheet that demarcated the appropriation of their funds.

The Commentator's proposal for funding was included in what YCSC President Jonathan Mell deemed the Student Council's "succinct, but thorough" proposition. The President's Circle has in the past sustained an amiable relationship with Yeshiva University's official undergraduate newspaper. Their donations have allowed The Commentator to update their equipment and maintain the development of costly, but essential projects like their popular website. The continued expenses associated with these undertakings prompted the Yeshiva College Student Council to once again request some $8,000 in grants for the coming semester.

It is against this backdrop that Commentator staff members were shocked to learn of the decision to entirely overlook funding for The Commentator in this semester's allocation of more than $38,000 worth of funds. The President's Circle has released no official comment on the reasoning behind their decision, but what is clear is that it is not a result of the Circle's affinity toward student journalism. The Observer, Stern College's student paper, was granted a whopping $13,000 grant for new equipment and the like. Nor can one point to The Circle's general decision to tighten up on grants, considering the large sums of monies donated to organizations like Student Organization of Yeshiva and the Stern College Dramatic Society.

Obvious questions have now been raised as to what has caused the generous group to overlook Commentator needs entirely? While the President's Circle has kept a tight lid on the reasoning behind their recent decision, one high level administrative official points to the obvious. "The President's Circle can choose to give money to whomever they want," explained Assistant to the University President, Gladys Chernin. Chernin's frank remarks gave credence to what many view as the student body's greatest fears. She herself speculated that "the President's circle might not have appreciated The Commentator's efforts to constantly inform the student body on issues pertaining directly to those enrolled," and might have consequently decided to refrain from aiding their efforts.

It is this attitude that Commentator insiders point to as evidence of a lack of sincere administrative commitment to reversing past wrongdoings. Editors-in-Chief Aaron Klein and Alex Traiman expressed their deep disappointment on the matter. Klein stated "I view this move, which attempts to again silence student voices, to be incredibly immature on the part of the President's circle. I am saddened that they are now trying to hit us below the belt by minimizing our available funds." Traiman, at a loss for words, added, "It is simply deplorable."

Klein's remarks once again point to the constant rift that has been growing between an active student newspaper and a defensive administration. That growing rift culminated less than two months ago in University removal of newspapers from campus locations. After accepting responsibility for that mistake, the administration has failed to win credibility in the eyes of growing hoards of concerned students and faculty. Campus leaders have and continue to remain skeptical of the administration's commitment to allowing free speech to permeate Yeshiva University and particularly the pages of The Commentator. While the wounds from that episode continue to heal, it seems as though the President's Circle has only added salt to an already tenuous relationship.