November 5, 2015—At today’s town hall meeting, President Joel stressed that changes are being made throughout the university to ensure its sustainability. In discussing these changes, Joel introduced some of the administrators and faculty members who have gained new positions at the university. Dr. David Shatz has been appointed the University Professor of Philosophy, History and University Thought; Paul Ostreicher is the new Chief Communications Officer, and Dr. Paul Glasser has become the Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement for REITS.
Joel also urged students to take a more active role in their college experience.
“Be owners, not just recipients,” he said.
Before fielding student questions, Joel also discussed the recent rise of rodent infestations in Brookdale Hall, a problem likely produced by construction nearby, and which has only been exacerbated by food being left around dorm rooms. Joel held up for display one of the boxes which will be distributed to students so they can keep their food away from rodents and help the university eliminate the problem. The President also jokingly proposed an idea to make leashes for our little mouse pets. Joel apologized for a failure to effectively communicate to students about the university’s handling of the infestation and pledged to communicate more effectively in the future.
Student questions touched on, among other topics, the lack of a Computer Science major at SCW, the recent report of a case of abuse at the university last spring, and YU Global, a not-yet-launched online education platform.
Sarah Robinson (’14) expressed frustration that students can’t afford to stay in often for Shabbos due to the increase in the cost of a Shabbos ticket. Robinson made two practical suggestions. First, that Shabbos meals be served buffet-style to eliminate the approximate $800 dollar cost of waitresses per week. And second, that more Shabbatonim be held on the uptown campus to eliminate the cost of putting up YC students in hotels in Midtown.
Esti Schwartz (’14) inquired as to why the university doesn’t rent out all of its midtown dorms during the summer to bring in more revenue. Joel agreed that the dorms should not “lie fallow” and said that the university is open to renting them out. He also mentioned that the university plans to launch a more comprehensive summer program, which would offer summer courses to students within and beyond the YU community and also be a source of revenue.
Miriam Elkaim (’15) suggested collaboration with the Stern College art department to decorate classrooms in the 245 building and alleviate the “prison-like” feel of the starkly white classroom walls. Joel noted that all tastes are not the same, but he would speak to the warden.
Regarding the new YU Global platform, Rivka Hia (’15) requested further information on the impending program, in the context of citing a lack of transparency about university changes as expressed to the student body. Opening his response, the President first responded to the issue of transparency, stating that there is “a difference between lack of transparency and lack of nudity.”
Joel continued to explain that YU Global is a new endeavor to build a platform that will facilitate online and blended learning both on campus and outside campus, the latter referring the spread of education via partnerships with national and international universities. He passed the ball to Lydia, who described her trip to top universities in China to promote partnership, and said that there was palpable interest. He concluded his response by reassuring students that “we will do nothing if it’s not high quality.”
In a change of pace, Emily Pearl, a current student from Cardozo Law School traveled to midtown to ask President Joel a question concerning herself and her peers. She inquired about the hiring process of trustees, and whether or not the trustees of the Law School were chosen through a spoils system. President Joel insisted that such favoritism was not in place.
For the final question, Elana Kook (’15), questioned President Joel regarding his opening statements concerning the low reported numbers of sexual assault over the years. Joel stated in his opening remarks that the low figures were due to the religious integrity and high-standard of conduct our students abide to and the single-sex campuses. Kook inquired whether that explanation truly precluded assault from happening, and whether President Joel thought that the religious environment itself discouraged open-dialogue regarding such issues.
President Joel noted that while the nature of the religious environment was a strong reason for the low numbers, the religious environment on both campuses was not to be mistaken as the sole reason for the low figures. President Joel also encouraged the creation of safe-space opportunities for students to discuss these delicate issues.
At this semester’s Town Hall Meeting, the financial situation and the University’s plan to cut down costs and increase revenue dominated the majority of the open-forum. However, students also expressed their concern for the lack of transparency of the administration and desire for increased communication between the “higher ups” and students, especially as new programs and cuts begin to take place. President Joel graciously addressed the questions of the students. Time and time again, the students thanked President Joel for coming down to the Beren Campus and showing the student body how much he cares about the success of our education and the future of Yeshiva University.