Pop-up Bookstore To Open Again 
by Alan Goldsmith

In a continuing effort to provide on-site books and supplies for undergraduate students, Yeshiva’s Department of Supporting Services will retain the retail services of the well-known bookstore franchise Barnes and Noble yet again.  The Wilf Campus “pop-up” store, which will reside in what was once a permanent on-campus bookstore in the vacant shop on the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and 186th Street, will be open regularly during the early weeks of both the fall and spring semesters and offer required reading material as well as other course-related supplies.

Yeshiva Enrollment Up Eight Percent
by Yair Amsel

For the second year in a row, Yeshiva’s undergraduate enrollment reached the highest number it has ever been. As of August 21st, one week before the first day of classes, 2425 students were registered in Yeshiva College, Stern College, and Sy Syms School of Business. This figure – which includes 1365 men and 1060 women from the three schools – represents an unprecedented expansion of the undergraduate programs, dwarfing enrollment projections compiled by the administration in recent years. The 8% increase on the Wilf Campus in particular is exposing serious shortages of housing and classroom space that administrators are scrambling to fill in.

Leibowitz Returns to Yeshiva
by Commentator Staff

As part of an overall effort to enhance the Office of the Dean of Students, Andrew Leibowitz has returned to Yeshiva as the Assistant Dean of Students, a post he was being considered for before he resigned as Coordinator of Student Services one and a half years ago.  Leibowitz’s return, which has been enthusiastically received by members of the Yeshiva community, comes on the heels of Avi Rosman’s dismissal as Coordinator of Student Services this past summer.  

Mandatory Meal Plan Up 20%
by Alan Goldsmith

For the second year in a row, Yeshiva Food Services’ mandatory meal plan has increased by $75 per semester. The change comes on the heels of a poorly received tuition increase that was announced during the spring 2002 semester. Originally a stable $750 per semester just two years ago, the meal plan increased to $825 last fall and is now up to a whopping $900.

Student Leaders to Assume New Posts
by Ariel Brandwein

As the start of the school year speedily approaches, elected student officials are begining to take their respective positions under the new system of student governance.  Both as a result of the new system’s problems and the slight election margin for Yeshiva Student Union President, many students are wondering exactly what kind of student leadership awaits them. 

Presidential Search Committee to Finalize Nominations Within Weeks
by Yehoshua Levine

After four months of careful deliberation and interviewing, the Search Committee for University President Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm’s successor has narrowed its nomination list to three finalists whose names will be submitted to the Executive Council of the Board of Trustees no later than mid October. Blaming the long search on overemphasis on one candidate and tremendously high job expectations for the would-be President, members of the Committee remain optimistic that the 16-month process will soon come to an end.

Student Services Undergoes Facelift
by Commentator Staff

In an effort to restore legitimacy to a severely maligned department, the Office of the Dean of Students has undergone its largest overhaul in recent history.  The restructuring came about largely as a result of vociferous student interest in a carefully defined disciplinary and procedural protocol. 

Tuition Rate Soars For Third Consecutive Year
by Kevin Cyrulnik

This past spring Yeshiva’s Board of Trustees quietly sent undergraduate tuition rates soaring yet again.  This year’s 10% boost, effective Fall 2002, marks the largest single tuition increase in Yeshiva history and the third consecutive year that the Board has dramatically increased tuition rates.  

Yeshiva Changes Housing Policy
by Zack Streit

In an unexpected decision that sent shockwaves throughout the undergraduate campuses, Yeshiva’s upper-echelon unilaterally changed Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s long-time housing policy, which had prevented unmarried couples from cohabiting.  The move comes as a result of a 1998 lawsuit filed by two lesbian students, claiming that university housing protocol discriminated illegally in denying housing to homosexual couples.   

Confusion Surrounds Yeshiva’s Hiring Policy
by Jamie S. Hirsch

This past spring, Yeshiva officials implemented a University-wide hiring freeze for all new employees, save faculty and professors, which was to come under review June 30.  As of late, however, there has been ambiguity and disagreement among administrators as to the status – and extent – of this restrictive policy.