Volume 67, Issue 9

Student Life Enhancement Committee Takes Off

by Ari Fridman

As part of his effort to further involve the students in University-wide decision-making processes, Chairman of Yeshiva’s Board of Trustees Ronald P. Stanton convened the first-ever Student Life Enhancement Committee, which brought together students, administrators and Board members in an unprecedented gathering.  The two-part, four-hour meeting, which was held on February 11 in Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Morton Lowengrub’s suite, covered a wide array of issues, including campus life, academic advisement, and many of Yeshiva’s departments.

In an invitation sent out to student participants, the committee clearly specified its intentions.  “The goal of the committee is to hear, from you, the students, both negative and positive experiences you had while at YU, and to implement changes,” an e-mail sent out to the students specified. “Data from the meeting will be used to make recommendations which will be presented to the President and the Chairman of the board.”  One committee participant clarified that indeed, feedback compiled from the meeting will first be presented to the Yeshiva administration and President Richard Joel, and afterwards to the Board of Trustees. 

Yeshiva College Board member Sender Z. Cohen, Lance Hirt, and Judith Goldsmith were the subcommittee members chosen to represent the Board of Trustees. Assistant Dean of Students Andrew Leibowitz oversaw the selection of student leaders, which included student council board members, Commentator editors, and club presidents, for the first two-hour segment of the four-hour meeting.  At the request of the subcommittee, the second two-hour segment consisted of a group of “apolitical” students also handpicked by Leibowitz meeting with the board members.  Rounding out the meeting were Senior University Dean of Students Dr. Efrem Nulman and Undergraduate Dean of Students David Himber.

In the past, Board members have held semi-annual meetings with Yeshiva students. The February 11 meeting, however, was the first one directly authorized by a chairman of the Board of Trustees.  Soon after beginning his term as Board chairman, Stanton expressed his desire to initiate an ongoing dialogue between the Board and the students.  Pursuant to that vision, Stanton mandated the formation of the Student Life Enhancement Committee earlier this year, which was to include influential members of the Yeshiva community such as future trustees and other board members. 

When asked for their overall impressions of the meeting, the student leaders responded favorably and with optimism.  They expressed their extreme satisfaction with the attentiveness and sincerity displayed by the Board members. “They were interested in hearing thoroughly detailed information regarding every facet of Yeshiva life – they wanted to know everything, both positive and negative,” reflected one student. 

Another student noted, “I was really happy to see that not only were we sitting with board members that seemed to genuinely care about the students and their lives on campus, but we were sitting with people that were former students themselves, making them more sensitive to our concerns and probably more well-quipped to report on them to the Board of Trustees.”  Indeed, insiders have confirmed that these three members were chosen to form the subcommittee in part because of their alumni status.   

Other students were simply awestruck at the mere fact that the Board members were taking careful notes regarding student concerns. “They really want to make a difference, and they really seemed to be counting on us for suggestions to that effect,” said another student leader.

Complementing the amicable vibe in the air, Yeshiva Food Services provided a delectable meal, much to the delight of participants.  Many students came to the meeting in formal attire, attempting to display their serious expectations for the night.  One student participant felt that this type of appearance was instrumental in showing the board “how seriously we’re taking these meetings.” 

As for the committee’s perception of student interest, one committee member cited student preparation as having allowed the meeting to flow seamlessly throughout the evening.  The Commentator Features Editor Jamie Hirsch echoed that analysis, noting that students certainly intended to put their best foot forward, presenting “a concrete chain of thought” to the Board.¨