84.1 (Sept. 3, 2018)
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
IN THIS ISSUE: INTRODUCING: STORIES ABOUT NEW DESIGN, STATISTICS, GRADUATE SCHOOLS OLD BOXES AND IRRELEVANT HE OMMENTATOR FINANCIAL POLICY T The Independent C Student Newspaper of Yeshiva University VOL. LXXXIV MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2018 ISSUE NO. 1 Holtz Named New Associate Dean; Rynhold Named Honors Head from Dr. Joanne Jacobson, who down in January 2017. Holtz also year when he directed the Honors and where we see ourselves going.” By Matthew Silkin retired last academic year. serves as an Associate Professor of Program,” said Dean Karen Bacon. Holtz was chosen for the posi- Dr. Holtz previously served Bible in Yeshiva College and was “Professor Holtz likes new ideas, he tion over three unnamed finalists Effective this semester, as Director of the Jay and Jeanie tenured by the university in 2012. enjoys thinking through problems, from a national search. The search Professor Shalom Holtz has Schottenstein Honors Program, “I am looking forward to work- and he enjoys a good debate. These committee was made up of faculty been named the Yeshiva College having been nominated for the po- ing with Professor Holtz in his qualities fit wonderfully into the of Yeshiva College and headed by Associate Dean of Academic sition after the previous director, new role, having had a very good Dean’s Office and will be invaluable Provost Selma Botman. According Affairs, taking over the position Professor Gabriel Cwilich, stepped working relationship with him last in evaluating where we are at YC to Botman, Jacobson met individu- ally with all the candidates to dis- cuss components of the position. There was also student involve- ment in the process, as Botman told The Commentator in an article last year announcing Jacobson’s retirement. According to Yeshiva Student Union (YSU) President Nolan Edmonson (YC ‘19), who was one of the students involved, the group met with Professor Holtz on April 26. “I am looking forward to work- ing with Dr. Holtz to improve the Yeshiva College academic experi- ence,” said Yeshiva College Student Association (YCSA) president Amitai Miller (YC ‘19), another student who was part of the hir- ing committee. “I am excited for Dr. Holtz to be our new [Associate] Dean, because Continued on Page 4 Dean Shalom Holtz (L) and Professor Daniel Rynhold (R) YESHIVA UNIVERSITY Israel, the Modern Era, and Market- Amid Shake-ups, Julie Readiness: President Berman Discusses Schreier Appointed as YU’s Path Forward Interim VP of Institutional pathway programs in conjunction initiatives have led to a converse Advancement By Avi Hirsch and with Israeli universities. According effect of Israel extending influence Benjamin Koslowe to Berman, YU has signed memo- into YU. He specifically mentioned Advancement at YU. Prior to that, randa of understanding with four Israeli mathematics Professor By Shoshy Ciment she was the University’s Director In an interview this past of Israel’s universities: Ben-Gurion Mina Teicher joining YU to teach of Institutional Advancement for Wednesday with The Commentator University’s medical school, mathematics and neurobiology Julie Schreier, former Chief of the Long Island Region. and The Observer, Yeshiva Hebrew University, Bar Ilan, and at Stern College this spring. “The Staff for President Ari Berman, was University President Ari Berman Technion. The memoranda mean possibilities of Israeli visiting pro- named the interim Vice President “According to sources and Provost Selma Botman elabo- that a YU graduate applying to fessors coming to us,” explained for Institutional Advancement rated on new programs and initia- one of these universities will be Berman, “strengthen our product.” (IA), Provost Selma Botman con- familiar with the tives for YU students. One year “automatically accepted into their Asked about his stated desire firmed in a recent email. Schreier into his presidency, Berman ar- graduate program.” last year to offer targeted scholar- succeeds Alyssa Herman, who left situation, the Office ticulated his visions and goals for Berman added that some sup- ships to students who volunteer the position after one year. the University. porters of the nascent partnerships for the Israeli army or sherut leu- Schrier, who was appointed of Institutional President Berman announced are offering scholarships as high as mi (national service), President as Chief of Staff to President Advancement has two main categories of initiatives $10,000 to top students to “subsi- Berman stated that although such Berman earlier in the year, will for this academic year. One cat- dize and help them on their journey scholarships are not yet finalized, serve in both roles until a new experienced a large egory, which formed the bulk of to Israel.” Berman further stressed they are “definitely in the pipeline.” Vice President of IA is appoint- Berman’s words, emphasized YU’s the presence of “thousands” of YU President Berman’s second cat- ed. Yeshiva University’s Office turnover with connection to Israel, focusing on alumni living in Israel who can help egory of new initiatives focused of Communications and Public new pathway programs with Israeli graduates “find internships in high- on new graduate degrees and pro- Affairs (CPA) has confirmed that employees recently.” institutions. The second category tech startups,” as well as a recent grams created by YU. Emphasizing a search is in place for a new Vice highlighted YU’s new initiatives in deal signed with “Yissum, which his desire for students to “leave President of IA. YU’s graduate schools. is the start-up section of Hebrew here market-ready,” Berman Before her most recent role According to sources familiar “Israel is no longer a poor University, to bring companies stressed new master’s programs as President Berman’s Chief with the situation, the Office of cousin,” commented Berman, “but over to YU.” He added that “there which allow students to stay for of Staff, where she was the first Institutional Advancement (OIA) rather is a significant power in its are a lot of other new initiatives one extra year and leave YU with female to ever hold that posi- has experienced a large turnover economy and its innovation in the that are going to be announced” tion, Schreier was the Assistant world of education.” In this vein, this year. Continued on Page 4 Vice President of Institutional Continued on Page 3 Berman announced several new According to Berman, these new NEWS | 6 FEATURES | 9 OPINIONS | 16 BUSINESS | 19 RIETS Hires New Undergraduate From the SOY President's Desk “Westworld” Metacommentary Part I: Let’s Talk Business Rabbeim These Violent Delights 2 From the Editor's Desk Monday, September 3, 2018 THE COMMENTATOR 2018-2019 FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK Editor-in-Chief BENJAMIN KOSLOWE Managing Editor SHOSHY CIMENT Looking Backwards as YU Enters President Berman’s “World of Tomorrow” News Senior Editor Junior Editor complaints by penning a nearly 1,500-word prospectus in YOSSI ZIMILOVER YITZCHAK CARROLL By Benjamin Koslowe The Commentator, articulating a vision and rationale for the administration’s actions. He discussed Yeshiva College’s Features President Berman’s message to the student body this growth, pointing to a strong budget, a growing faculty and past week (see front page article) fits an historical pattern efforts to “add more fundamental courses.” Senior Editor Junior Editor of new Yeshiva University presidents. This pattern, which President Lamm met with student leaders for formal SAMUEL GELMAN DENA KATZ has to do with investiture speeches, interaction with stu- discussions and interviews on several occasions in his dents and practical innovations to the institution, all but first year as president. In late 1977, at the beginning of Opinions leaps out of the oxidized papers that chart this institution’s his second year, Lamm appointed new deans to several of the institution’s undergraduate and graduate schools Senior Editor Junior Editor proud history. LILLY GELMAN CHANA WEINBERG Perhaps a few quotes can begin to illustrate some (including Dean Karen Bacon, who remains at YU these similarities: four decades later). At the time, Lamm explained that his appointments were part of “an intensive effort to keep pace Business “It is our intention to give to secular education a higher with the rapid changes taking place in higher education.” Senior Editor Junior Editor purpose and make the Yeshiva and Yeshiva College a liv- YU’s third president also addressed problems of declining AKIVA FRISHMAN AARON KARESH ing symbol of intellectual and moral activity.” (—Belkin; enrollments and inherited fiscal problems by closing the May 23, 1944) Belfer Graduate School of Science. In President Joel’s first few months in office he offered “We are committed both to unfettered scholarship, an interview to the undergraduate newspapers as well as Senior Layout Editor and to the quest for transcendent values, norms, and the a town hall meeting where he announced a strategic plan AVI HIRSCH wisdom of tradition.” (—Lamm; November 7, 1976) for the undergraduate schools. In 2004, at the start of his second year, Joel hired 15 new professors, raised roshei “The time is now to re-emphasize our commitment to yeshiva salaries, and renovated several Yeshiva University quality and excellence in education, sacred and secular, buildings. That same semester YU saw the appointment of Senior Business Manager to challenge the Yeshiva, the undergraduate, and gradu- a new chairman of Yeshiva’s trustees (Mr. Morry Weiss), a SAMUEL KATZ ate schools to take ownership of Torah Umadda.” (—Joel; new dean of Yeshiva College (Dr. Fred Sugarman), a new September 21, 2003) Advisor on Israel Affairs (Mr. Howard M. Weisband), and a new dean of the newly-established Center for Jewish Future “We know that there are great truths to be discovered (Rabbi Kenneth Brander). Programmer in the study of the human mind, the physical world, lit- In short, YU’s presidents—to some degree in their first OMAR FARUK erature, legal interpretation and more.