Servicing the Students

Last week, the Office of Student Services expelled ten undergraduate students from Yeshiva University without providing them due process.  These students have been unable to obtain a written statement of the charges and evidence brought against them.  Similarly, Student Services has not provided them written confirmation of the specific violations they made, if any, of Yeshiva University’s Code of Student Conduct, for which they have been expelled. 

That these violations have occurred speaks of the fact that these Student Services  employees have not made efforts during their respective tenures to create proper  policy and procedure for student discipline.  This is just the latest incident of blatant dismissal of student rights by Student Services.  This year alone, there have been numerous such violations, some that we have reported in The Commentator, and others that we have decided not to print, choosing not to embarrass the victimized students further.

In gathering information for The Commentator, we have spoken with many of the expelled students, and their stories are incredible.  Following the students’ appeals, when we finally report on the matter, you will learn of a host of improper maneuverings by Student Services, from the fact that Dr. Chaim Nissel seems to have clearly violated doctor/client privilege in several of the cases, to the fact that no student was provided a student advocate as required by Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm.

Other violations include:

Not providing a Student Services representative at student interrogations with the Office of Safety and Security.

Not informing students that they were under investigation.

Not informing students that their statements could be used against them.

Not informing students of their relevant rights and of the procedures regarding student discipline.

Not giving students a proper hearing in which to respond to the evidence or allegations brought against them.

Not giving students the opportunity to face their accusers.

Not providing a fair and impartial appeals process.

There have been many other serious infractions, but the ones already listed clearly indicate the irresponsible – and, perhaps, criminal – nature of the actions of Dean David Himber, Associate Dean Chaim Nissel, and Coordinator Avi Rosman.  The tone of their actions is characteristic of the prosecutorial nature with which they approach their responsibilities in an office expected to function primarily as a service to the students.

We respectfully request that all relevant agencies investigate this matter promptly and thoroughly.  Should they find, as we did, that these violations did, in fact, occur, we hope that they will respond by immediately terminating the employment of these individuals, and by calling for a complete restructuring of the Office of Student Services, its responsibilities, hierarchy, and procedures.

We do not actively pursue such unfortunate ends on a frequent basis. This is the first – and, hopefully, the last – occasion on which we will request the dismissal of an employee of Yeshiva.  However, we feel that the egregiousness of these violations calls for it.