2008 Woodie Awards
Contracts of Two Prominent Adjuncts Not Renewed
Dismissals Highlight Inadequate Administrative Communication
Shaya Lerner and Elyasaf Schwartz
Issue date: 3/29/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Two well-known Yeshiva College adjunct faculty members will not be returning next semester, much to their own surprise, The Commentator has learned. Prof. James Vrettos, an adjunct in the Sociology and Statistics departments and Dr. David Ben-Menachem, a full time lecturer in the Hebrew Language department, were both recently informed their contracts will not be renewed. Prof. Vrettos has been teaching at Yeshiva for over seven years, and Dr. Ben-Menachem for five years. Though neither of the two was tenure-tracked, they both undertook significant course loads each semester.
Not surprisingly, a great deal of speculation and confusion has surrounded the firing of both professors. Hebrew Language department chair, Dr. Samuel Schneider, declined to comment on the reasons for Dr. Ben-Menachem's dismissal.
Dr. Ben-Menachem, however, claims Schneider told him he was "too light [and] too easy on the students," a contention Ben-Menachem disputes. "If I was not good after the second year why did they not fire me then?"
Citing foul play, Dr. Ben-Menachem believes his course load will be taken over by another member of the Hebrew department who lacks qualification. Dr. Ben-Menachem alleged that his replacement also has personal ties with an administrator, and their relationship has skewed the necessary impartiality required to evaluate his contract.
Dr. Schneider, however, disputes Dr. Ben-Menachem's allegations, claiming a replacement for Dr. Ben-Menachem has yet to be secured.
The uncertainty of Dr. Ben-Menachem's dismissal is compounded when comparing his academic credentials with other existing members of the department. "Except for Prof. Tawil, who is more qualified than me to teach Hebrew?" he said. Ben-Menachem earned his Masters and PhD from UCLA, and has published three books; he is currently working on a fourth. Numerous other faculty in the Hebrew department only possess Master's degress, and at least in one case, an instructor has only earned a teaching certificate.
Yeshiva's decision to not renew Prof. Vrettos' contract has also sparked controversy. Neither Prof. Vrettos nor the social sciences cluster head, Dr. Ruth A. Bevan, were informed of the reasons behind his dismissal. Yeshiva College Dean Norman Adler, who told Prof. Vrettos of the decision, insisted, however, that the directive did not come from his office either.
Dr. Morton Lowengrub, Vice President for Academic Affairs, refused to comment on the situation, citing a longstanding practice of "not discussing personnel matters in a public forum."
Dr. Lowengrub further declined to comment on the lack of communication between the administrative departments or why Vrettos' superiors were overlooked in the decision-making process.
"Prof. Vrettos does not know the reasons for his not being rehired. This just causes unnecessary additional pain," said Dr. Bevan. "It is important for the University to set examples of menschlichkeit. This has certainly been a concern of President Joel's."
Insider sources, however, pointed to Prof. Vrettos' notorious reputation as a lenient grader. "Students studying in Israel, who have never been to Yeshiva before, know to take Prof. Vrettos' courses because of his grading policy," said a senior university official.
Prof. Vrettos denied the allegations, claiming "high standards" for his classes and pointing to continual positive student feedback. "They should have informed me prior to taking action, through the correct academic channels, via my cluster and department heads," said Prof. Vrettos. "[The issue] should be of great concern all faculty and students alike; to be let go without reason is inherently unfair."
Aside from his popular skullcap (partitioned between "velvet" and "crocheted" material), Prof. Vrettos is known for encouraging open debate among students both inside and outside of the classroom, especially as it relates to controversial political issues. "He was too hot for the university," said one faculty member. "Professors not aligned with the political views of the administration often feel like they are targets."
In the past, the administration had expressed support for proposals by Prof. Vrettos, including plans to bring controversial speakers to Yeshiva, but later backed down amid public pressure. "I am unsure if the administration supports academic debates on contemporary provocative and controversial issues," said the faculty member.
Aside from teaching at Yeshiva, Prof. Vrettos also lectures at the John Jay College for Criminal Justice where has been instrumental in passing a new regulation that gives adjuncts who have taught for two semesters the right to appeal their firing before an academic committee. Vrettos believes that a policy of this nature should also be implemented at Yeshiva.
"There should be due process here as well, before firing professors on whim," said Prof. Vrettos. "I have tried to work within the institution's religious element. I fully support the administration's goal of Jews being in service to humanity, and have worked to develop programs involving both Judaic and secular studies."
Adjunct professors, generally offered single year contracts, are often brought in by universities to teach selected courses. This leaves them with little clout in the university's bureaucratic web.
"Adjuncts are always in a tenuous position," said Dr. Bevan. "They lack the basic rights of full-time and tenured faculty."
Eitan Kastner contributed to this report.
Not surprisingly, a great deal of speculation and confusion has surrounded the firing of both professors. Hebrew Language department chair, Dr. Samuel Schneider, declined to comment on the reasons for Dr. Ben-Menachem's dismissal.
Dr. Ben-Menachem, however, claims Schneider told him he was "too light [and] too easy on the students," a contention Ben-Menachem disputes. "If I was not good after the second year why did they not fire me then?"
Citing foul play, Dr. Ben-Menachem believes his course load will be taken over by another member of the Hebrew department who lacks qualification. Dr. Ben-Menachem alleged that his replacement also has personal ties with an administrator, and their relationship has skewed the necessary impartiality required to evaluate his contract.
Dr. Schneider, however, disputes Dr. Ben-Menachem's allegations, claiming a replacement for Dr. Ben-Menachem has yet to be secured.
The uncertainty of Dr. Ben-Menachem's dismissal is compounded when comparing his academic credentials with other existing members of the department. "Except for Prof. Tawil, who is more qualified than me to teach Hebrew?" he said. Ben-Menachem earned his Masters and PhD from UCLA, and has published three books; he is currently working on a fourth. Numerous other faculty in the Hebrew department only possess Master's degress, and at least in one case, an instructor has only earned a teaching certificate.
Yeshiva's decision to not renew Prof. Vrettos' contract has also sparked controversy. Neither Prof. Vrettos nor the social sciences cluster head, Dr. Ruth A. Bevan, were informed of the reasons behind his dismissal. Yeshiva College Dean Norman Adler, who told Prof. Vrettos of the decision, insisted, however, that the directive did not come from his office either.
Dr. Morton Lowengrub, Vice President for Academic Affairs, refused to comment on the situation, citing a longstanding practice of "not discussing personnel matters in a public forum."
Dr. Lowengrub further declined to comment on the lack of communication between the administrative departments or why Vrettos' superiors were overlooked in the decision-making process.
"Prof. Vrettos does not know the reasons for his not being rehired. This just causes unnecessary additional pain," said Dr. Bevan. "It is important for the University to set examples of menschlichkeit. This has certainly been a concern of President Joel's."
Insider sources, however, pointed to Prof. Vrettos' notorious reputation as a lenient grader. "Students studying in Israel, who have never been to Yeshiva before, know to take Prof. Vrettos' courses because of his grading policy," said a senior university official.
Prof. Vrettos denied the allegations, claiming "high standards" for his classes and pointing to continual positive student feedback. "They should have informed me prior to taking action, through the correct academic channels, via my cluster and department heads," said Prof. Vrettos. "[The issue] should be of great concern all faculty and students alike; to be let go without reason is inherently unfair."
Aside from his popular skullcap (partitioned between "velvet" and "crocheted" material), Prof. Vrettos is known for encouraging open debate among students both inside and outside of the classroom, especially as it relates to controversial political issues. "He was too hot for the university," said one faculty member. "Professors not aligned with the political views of the administration often feel like they are targets."
In the past, the administration had expressed support for proposals by Prof. Vrettos, including plans to bring controversial speakers to Yeshiva, but later backed down amid public pressure. "I am unsure if the administration supports academic debates on contemporary provocative and controversial issues," said the faculty member.
Aside from teaching at Yeshiva, Prof. Vrettos also lectures at the John Jay College for Criminal Justice where has been instrumental in passing a new regulation that gives adjuncts who have taught for two semesters the right to appeal their firing before an academic committee. Vrettos believes that a policy of this nature should also be implemented at Yeshiva.
"There should be due process here as well, before firing professors on whim," said Prof. Vrettos. "I have tried to work within the institution's religious element. I fully support the administration's goal of Jews being in service to humanity, and have worked to develop programs involving both Judaic and secular studies."
Adjunct professors, generally offered single year contracts, are often brought in by universities to teach selected courses. This leaves them with little clout in the university's bureaucratic web.
"Adjuncts are always in a tenuous position," said Dr. Bevan. "They lack the basic rights of full-time and tenured faculty."
Eitan Kastner contributed to this report.