Volume 67, Issue 8

One-on-One with Dean Snow
by Evan Zisholtz

A lot can change in a year and a half.  At least that’s what students of the Sy Syms School for business are saying about their business school.   According to many of its students, Dean Charles Snow has a very definite goal for his school: excellence – nothing more and nothing less

If nothing else his work ethic, which distinguished him in the corporate world, speaks to students’ ambitious projections.  Dean Snow can often be found tirelessly plugging away behind his desk – which is a fortress of paperwork, whose walls only get thicker – long after both students and employees languidly head out of Belfer hall.  And, very often, that work will center upon procuring jobs for his graduating class.

Before being appointed Dean, Dr. Snow held the Philip H. Cohen Professorial Chair in Accounting.  He has a B.A. from Yeshiva University as well as MPHIL. and Ph.D. from New York University.  He has previously been featured on a number of business related media networks

Sandwiched between meetings with faculty members and the various Yeshiva boards, I managed to catch up with Dean Snow.  What follows is a transcript of our discussion.

Evan Zisholtz (EZ): How many students are currently enrolled in the Sy Syms School of Business? 

Dean Snow (DS): Currently there are approximately 712 students enrolled in the business school, about the same as last semester.  There are 509 students at the uptown campus and 203 female students in midtown. 

EZ: What is the student: teacher ratio?

DS: Since we employ eighteen part-time professors in addition to 20 full time professors, it is difficult to say the exact ratio, but it is approximately a 24:1 student teacher ratio.

EZ: Are there any new programs being introduced this semester?

DS: This semester, we are introducing four new courses to our school: Sports Marketing, History of Merchant Banking, Business Forecasting and Interactive Advertising.  In addition, we feel that it is important to always make changes to the current classes we offer, and therefore are encouraging teachers to make classes more fascinating and relevant for the current economy. 

The Sy Syms School of business is also trying to become more involved in entrepreneurial studies.  We are now going to supply an incubator, two experienced businessmen that will serve as mentors to our students and seed capital that will help launch a school affiliated business.  These new programs will help our students get the experience needed to succeed in the business world.

EZ: What are your thoughts about the cheating incidents last semester and what are your plans to rectify this problem?

DS: In addition to the cheating scandal that occurred during midterms, there were three incidents of cheating that are being investigated that took place during final exams.  We have given each of the students suspected an incomplete in the course until the investigation is complete.  If they are caught they will automatically fail the class.  The school policy is that cheating is unacceptable!  We have zero tolerance for cheating.  When we catch people, we will take decisive and punitive action. 

The school is taking significant action to rectify this problem.  Already, we have begun talking to each faculty member telling them to be more vigilant for cheaters.  The teachers must catch all cheaters and will be held accountable for carelessness.  Also, we have begun preparing rooms for proctoring exams so that there will be sufficient space between each test-taker.

We know that an increase in vigilance, better proctoring and strict punitive action will deter cheaters.  We also hope that our students will exercise their morals and ethics.  Cheating is not the way to go!

EZ: Yeshiva University is ranked by the U.S. News and World Report as a top-tier school; however, in the undergraduate business school section, Sy Syms does not appear on the list at all.  Why is this so?

DS: Comparing our business school to others is like comparing apples to oranges.  Our school is completely different because the time our students spend studying Judaism is normally spent reading an additional three text books per class at other colleges.  We feel that the only way to properly compare our school is by looking at the outcomes.  For years, our students have been placed in the top tier firms and many times contest with Ivy League graduates for the same job. 

This is due to the fact that it is known throughout the business world that the faculty at Sy Syms is among the best in country.  Many teachers are very well published as well as considered among the top specialists in the country.  The students here are considered among the top in the country because of their ability to juggle a duel curriculum.  Although it is not illustrated in the rankings, it’s demonstrated in the final outcomes. 

EZ: We all know that Sy Syms has been subject to grade inflation.  Do you plan to institute a stricter grading policy?  If so, do you feel that grade deflation will negatively affect students seeking employment?

DS: The school does plan on instituting a stricter grading policy in that we will examine the way various faculty members give out grades.  We will try to get them to think their final grades through a little longer and give the proper grade rather than just giving the easy grades.

This will not hurt our students at all because our students are hired because of their abilities and not much relies on their grades.  The difference between a 3.5 and a 3.4 will not make the difference in receiving a job, because our students are seen as driven students, with strong morals and ethics, strong analytics and strong interpersonal skills. 

EZ: Under the current economy, are the Sy Syms students in a good position to be employed upon graduation?

DS: Under the current economy, everybody from everywhere is having difficulty with job placement, and our students are no different.  There is one difference between our school and all the others.  We have a full commitment to our students and will strive for complete placement. 

So far, we have already placed a number of students, but we will not rest until each student has a job.  This year we will have to work harder, but we will work with commitment and complete dedication and hopefully place all our students.

EZ: Please conclude the interview with some words of wisdom to seniors seeking employment in the current economy?

DS: Due to the fact that the current economy makes it very difficult to succeed, those that succeed will be those that are persistent in their drive for success.  You must work hard to succeed, because in times of economic downturn, the few that succeed are those that work the hardest.

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