Gelman Settling in as Associate VP

By Commentator Staff

On February 14, Yeshiva College junior Gennady Gelman was elected to the post of Yeshiva College Student Council Associate Vice President, a position that was created due to the chronic illness of current YCSC Vice President Mikey Butler, and that will exist only for the duration of the spring ’02 semester.  As he emphasized in articulating his campaign platform last month, Gelman hopes, in filling his new position, to increase student interaction on several different plains.

Socially, Gelman’s goal is to increase interaction between Stern and Wilf Campus students.  Gelman would like to organize weekly events that would alternate between campuses. “I have already been able to meet with Lou [Shapp] several times…to propose ideas,” he remarked.  Gelman anticipates, as well, arranging a mentoring program for incoming students beginning fall 2002.

Increased student involvement in societal and cultural awareness, another component from Gelman’s campaign, is beginning to take shape as well.  Gelman has been particularly involved in various community activities, including a number of blood drives, bone marrow drives, and volunteer work at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital’s emergency room.  He is also involved in Sigma Delta Rho, Yeshiva’s pre-med/science club as well as the Library Committee.

Gelman’s transition, however, has not been entirely smooth.  Despite Gelman’s clear victory in February’s election, the Executive Board of the Student Council has not formally met since the fall ’01 semester.  Furthermore, Gelman – although he was duly informed that he had won the election – has yet to be informed of his official duties.  Current Vice President Mikey Butler, who is in Pittsburgh at this time, has made himself available to consult with Gelman, but Gelman has not been inn close contact with other members of the Student Council . 

Additionally, the unusual circumstances that precipitated the election for an Associate Vice President has left many students somewhat uneasy.  Gelman himself commented, “I feel somewhat awkward about how my position came to be.”  Some students have also expressed discomfort with the extremely sparse voter turnout for the special election.  Another student complaint has been that Gelman is himself a junior, while YCSC requires that a VP enjoy senior standing.  Though this consideration does not speak to Gelman’s capability to fulfill his duties, some students seem to believe that the authority of the YCSC Constitution has been breached.

Jason Koslowe, Secretary of the Executive Board, disputes the notion that YCSC has overstepped its bounds.  “[The Executive Board] is not setting a precedent by accommodating Mikey’s desires and wishes,” remarked Koslowe.  Rather, Koslowe went on to say, the overriding ideal governing the decision was the sensitive circumstances regarding Butler, a student who has contributed tremendously to the student body, yet cannot currently reside on campus.