Student Services Undergoes Facelift
Nulman Returns After Two-Year Hiatus

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. 

Dr. Efram Nulman, who stepped down from the department in 1998 only to find himself back at its helm as of July 1st, and Assistant Dean of Students Andrew Leibowitz, who also resigned a year and a half ago only to be subsequently reeled back in by Nulman, are the department’s marquee acquisitions.    

“Dr. Nulman reports directly to me,” emphasized Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Morton Lowengrub, who is overseeing the reorganizing.  “My goal is to make this a student-centered university.  Students come here not only for the special education and environment but to be treated respectfully,” he asserted.   

“It’s no secret to us that students have lost trust in this office,” Nulman explained, ostensibly referring to the lack of procedure and confidentiality that surrounded the expulsion of ten students last April.  “The first thing we need to do here is reestablish trust.  Students should be able to walk into this office and feel like they have people they can talk to.  Most of our problems have to do with a lack of trust,” he surmised.

Beyond orchestrating Leibowitz’s return, Nulman is also tackling a number of issues in hopes of fostering an atmosphere of credibility with students.  Most notably, he is in the midst of devising “a clear-cut, written” disciplinary protocol, and he’s not going-it alone.  “We are going to start working out a disciplinary code with student representatives at the first Student Life Committee meeting.  We are going to determine where we are, where we need to go, and how we are going to get there.  And we are going to do it together,” he asserted.

For now, students charged with a wrongdoing will meet with an advocate from Student Services, who will have been briefed by the Office of Safety and Security.  From there, the advocate and the student will present their case to an arbitrator – other than Nulman – who will render a decision.  In case of an appeal, the student, together with the advocate, will plead before Nulman, who will then review the proceedings and issue a verdict.

This ad-hoc system has already generated cautious praise among student leaders.  According to Yeshiva Student Union Vice-President Yaakov Green, “Although it remains to be seen just how this procedure is implemented – and how it ends up – this is already a drastic step forward from what we had in place previously.  And I think, given the new leadership, that we will continue to move in that direction,” he hoped.

Moreover, the inveterate dean is also working to procure a new Wilf Campus dormitory as well as a University Counseling Center.  “With our record-breaking enrollment, there is no question that we are going to need a new dormitory and soon,” averred Nulman.  “We are also in need of a counseling center staffed with qualified psychiatrists who’ll provide confident service to students.” 

Although the exact scope and location are still up in the air, administrators from numerous departments have expressed an interest in seeing the center open “in the proximity of Health Services,” which is to be found on the first floor of the Reuben Hall Dormitory. 

As part of the department reshuffling, Dean David Himber’s title has been modified to Undergraduate Dean of students, as such he will continue to oversee counseling, housing, and student activities, though exclusively on the undergraduate level. 

Associate Dean of Students Dr. Chaim Nissel, whose title remains intact, will continue to supervise Housing Direcetor Ron Lamm as well as heading up Psychological Services.  According to Nulman,  “Because Dr. Nissel is no longer involved in the decision-making aspect of disciplinary protocol, students should have fewer reservations about approaching him.” 

Additionally, Nissel will coordinate the Shabbos Enhancement Program in place of Ezra Berenholtz, who is no longer with the Office.  Although Nissel will organize the program throughout the week, Nulman did mention “we need a presence on Shabbos who runs the program.”  Until such a presence is procured though, the head Resident Advisors will shoulder the responsibility. 

Beyond disciplinary measures though, Nulman wants a very specific milieu to proliferate from his office.  “I want students to feel comfortable in my office and out of it,” the Dean relayed.  “I want them to know that they’ll always have someone to talk to and someone looking out for them.  If we can achieve that then we’re moving in the right direction.”

To date, student leaders have received Nulman enthusiastically.  “He really seems to care about the well being of the students, and I am certain that he is the right man to lead the Office of the Dean of Students,” enthused Shai Barnea, President of Yeshiva Student Union.  “I look forward to a continued working relationship with him.”