2008 Woodie Awards
What It is About Yeshiva
Professor James Vrettos
Issue date: 5/16/05 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
I want to thank The Commentator for giving me the opportunity to address issues that not only concern my future at Yeshiva University but should concern all those within the Yeshiva community who value the principles of fairness, due process, and the healthy and vigorous functioning of the university.
A few weeks ago I was summoned to Dean Adler's office along with my cluster chair Professor Ruth Bevan, and was informed that I was not going to be rehired as an adjunct in the Sociology department for the Fall semester. I was not provided with a reason, only informed that the decision was made from "on high." Typically, if there is some academic problem or issue with a professor, the administration consults with the cluster chair and/or department head first. In my case, Professors Bevan and Marilyn Schneider (Sociology department head) were not consulted until after the fact. Both of them have supported my academic performances in the past and have indicated to me that they were pleased with my teaching and contributions to the department and university. Within the Social Sciences cluster and college-wide, my classroom evaluations have consistently been among the highest year in and year out. In an article in the last issue of The Commentator, there was a quote from an unnamed source who, based on hearsay information, indicated that I was a lenient grader. This issue has never been communicated to me by anyone in the administration or by my cluster or department head. I would be willing to put my grades and academic standards tao the empirical scrutiny of any administrative or academic head in the university.
I was recently asked by the Assistant Dean's office to be the academic liaison for a Habitat for Humanity program in Costa Rica this summer, where Yeshiva students were going to assist Costa Ricans build homes for their communities. Twelve to fifteen students were ready to participate in this project when it was abruptly cancelled by the administration. I am totally behind the concept of Yeshiva in service to humanity, and in the past five years have been involved in setting up criminal justice, social service, and health summer internships, which has enabled pre-law, pre-med, pre-social work and other students to get a leg up on their graduate and professional training while providing valuable service to the community. I have proposed setting up a Torah u-Madda center where these internships could be undertaken throughout the school year and was prepared to teach a course with Jewish Studies on these internships. I have co-taught an Honors statistics course this semester with Yeshiva University mathematician Professor Joe Stampfli. This has proven to be one of the most gratifying courses I have taught at Yeshiva, and an association with Professor Stampfli has been a most enriching experience. I have been an advisor at the University Advisor Center for the past five years or so. Just this last week I was contacted by a previous student and advisee who will become a rabbi at a leading synagogue in Manhattan this fall. He would like me to help him set up some of the programs I have been working on at Yeshiva at his synagogue. I have been involved in setting up various talks and intellectual debates At Yeshiva with some leading public figures and scholars supported in one particular effort by one of the most respected rabbis in the university - Rabbi Hershel Schachter, a rosh yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.
On the many tours I have take to Rikers Island prison with my criminal justice classes, where we have met with Rabbi Bomzer and some of the Jewish inmates, my students and I have been reminded over and over again how the moral strength and legitimacy of a society can really be seen in how its most vulnerable and disenfranchised members are treated. I believe this certainly applies to how we all treat each other at a place like Yeshiva. I have had a love affair over the last several years teaching at Yeshiva I know that I will not be happier nor will I meet a better caliber of student and human being at any other university, than the many, many students I have had the privilege to meet and teach at Yeshiva. You will remain in my heart and mind until the day I die. Please accept my heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of students who have signed petitions in my support.
I am still hopeful that some sort of rational understanding can be brought to the situation. My only desire is to continue to teach at Yeshiva. The Yeshiva chapter of the AAUP (American Association of University Professors) is in the process of contacting the administration and I hope these talks will bring about positive results so that I will be able to return and devote my energy and knowledge teaching at Yeshiva.
James Vrettos is adjunct professor of Sociology and Statistics.
A few weeks ago I was summoned to Dean Adler's office along with my cluster chair Professor Ruth Bevan, and was informed that I was not going to be rehired as an adjunct in the Sociology department for the Fall semester. I was not provided with a reason, only informed that the decision was made from "on high." Typically, if there is some academic problem or issue with a professor, the administration consults with the cluster chair and/or department head first. In my case, Professors Bevan and Marilyn Schneider (Sociology department head) were not consulted until after the fact. Both of them have supported my academic performances in the past and have indicated to me that they were pleased with my teaching and contributions to the department and university. Within the Social Sciences cluster and college-wide, my classroom evaluations have consistently been among the highest year in and year out. In an article in the last issue of The Commentator, there was a quote from an unnamed source who, based on hearsay information, indicated that I was a lenient grader. This issue has never been communicated to me by anyone in the administration or by my cluster or department head. I would be willing to put my grades and academic standards tao the empirical scrutiny of any administrative or academic head in the university.
I was recently asked by the Assistant Dean's office to be the academic liaison for a Habitat for Humanity program in Costa Rica this summer, where Yeshiva students were going to assist Costa Ricans build homes for their communities. Twelve to fifteen students were ready to participate in this project when it was abruptly cancelled by the administration. I am totally behind the concept of Yeshiva in service to humanity, and in the past five years have been involved in setting up criminal justice, social service, and health summer internships, which has enabled pre-law, pre-med, pre-social work and other students to get a leg up on their graduate and professional training while providing valuable service to the community. I have proposed setting up a Torah u-Madda center where these internships could be undertaken throughout the school year and was prepared to teach a course with Jewish Studies on these internships. I have co-taught an Honors statistics course this semester with Yeshiva University mathematician Professor Joe Stampfli. This has proven to be one of the most gratifying courses I have taught at Yeshiva, and an association with Professor Stampfli has been a most enriching experience. I have been an advisor at the University Advisor Center for the past five years or so. Just this last week I was contacted by a previous student and advisee who will become a rabbi at a leading synagogue in Manhattan this fall. He would like me to help him set up some of the programs I have been working on at Yeshiva at his synagogue. I have been involved in setting up various talks and intellectual debates At Yeshiva with some leading public figures and scholars supported in one particular effort by one of the most respected rabbis in the university - Rabbi Hershel Schachter, a rosh yeshiva at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.
On the many tours I have take to Rikers Island prison with my criminal justice classes, where we have met with Rabbi Bomzer and some of the Jewish inmates, my students and I have been reminded over and over again how the moral strength and legitimacy of a society can really be seen in how its most vulnerable and disenfranchised members are treated. I believe this certainly applies to how we all treat each other at a place like Yeshiva. I have had a love affair over the last several years teaching at Yeshiva I know that I will not be happier nor will I meet a better caliber of student and human being at any other university, than the many, many students I have had the privilege to meet and teach at Yeshiva. You will remain in my heart and mind until the day I die. Please accept my heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of students who have signed petitions in my support.
I am still hopeful that some sort of rational understanding can be brought to the situation. My only desire is to continue to teach at Yeshiva. The Yeshiva chapter of the AAUP (American Association of University Professors) is in the process of contacting the administration and I hope these talks will bring about positive results so that I will be able to return and devote my energy and knowledge teaching at Yeshiva.
James Vrettos is adjunct professor of Sociology and Statistics.