2008 Woodie Awards
Because the World Needs Leaders ...
Zev Eleff
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: Editorials
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Because the World Needs Leaders ... That's the slogan pasted onto the cover of a recent YU recruiting campaign. It speaks to the University's insistence that its students represent the future of Klal Yisrael. It's certainly a lofty goal considering how broad the description of Jewish leadership has become in recent decades. Yet, when President Joel says that Yeshiva is the only place where it's somewhat reasonable to believe that the next group of gadolei Torah and a Nobel laureate will emerge, it's difficult find another candidate institution. If that's the type of diverse leadership you're into, then YU seems like a perfect fit.
To my mind, this is a brilliant ambition and a noble pursuit. The Yeshiva and the College have made tremendous strides to attract, this year, what has been deemed the most capable class in YU's history. Considering the Dean's Office's excitement over this year's freshmen seminars and a much-improved atmosphere at night seder, the statement is a tough one to challenge.
Moreover, while many of us are hurt when administrators speak about "better students" compared to the current crop, we have very little to fall back on when we listen to complaints lodged about student leadership and campus-wide apathy. In no small way, our student body has been summoned to court. Our merits and our leadership are on trial. Several groups have done well so far this year. Most notably, SSSB Student Council has worked hard to produce creative and well-attended lectures. YSU has done a fair job of scheduling activities to fit students' booked schedules. In addition, the YC board plans to start its initiative to encourage student input toward the YC curriculum review this week. Yet, recent data and mounds of evidence point against us. Student leadership always seems to fizzle after those in charge become complacent or overburdened by midterms and term papers.
Even with some successful events and programs this semester, the overshadowing attitude on the Wilf Campus is one of apathy. If it weren't for ystuds, most students would find it difficult to name student leaders. Certainly, the majority could not say with any degree of confidence what the responsibilities and agendas are for each student board or CJF group. In that past few years, student leadership has failed to make itself visible or augment student life to a level that would cause constituents to take notice. Owing to this and demonstrated by poor event attendance and campus-election voting, students have lost interest in campus life. For a while, disgruntled administrators have sought ways to improve the quality of student leadership without limiting its independence. Student Affairs has taken initiative to advise student leaders on how to spend the money they are entrusted with, usually tens of thousands of dollars more than they've seen in their entire lives.
To my mind, this is a brilliant ambition and a noble pursuit. The Yeshiva and the College have made tremendous strides to attract, this year, what has been deemed the most capable class in YU's history. Considering the Dean's Office's excitement over this year's freshmen seminars and a much-improved atmosphere at night seder, the statement is a tough one to challenge.
Moreover, while many of us are hurt when administrators speak about "better students" compared to the current crop, we have very little to fall back on when we listen to complaints lodged about student leadership and campus-wide apathy. In no small way, our student body has been summoned to court. Our merits and our leadership are on trial. Several groups have done well so far this year. Most notably, SSSB Student Council has worked hard to produce creative and well-attended lectures. YSU has done a fair job of scheduling activities to fit students' booked schedules. In addition, the YC board plans to start its initiative to encourage student input toward the YC curriculum review this week. Yet, recent data and mounds of evidence point against us. Student leadership always seems to fizzle after those in charge become complacent or overburdened by midterms and term papers.
Even with some successful events and programs this semester, the overshadowing attitude on the Wilf Campus is one of apathy. If it weren't for ystuds, most students would find it difficult to name student leaders. Certainly, the majority could not say with any degree of confidence what the responsibilities and agendas are for each student board or CJF group. In that past few years, student leadership has failed to make itself visible or augment student life to a level that would cause constituents to take notice. Owing to this and demonstrated by poor event attendance and campus-election voting, students have lost interest in campus life. For a while, disgruntled administrators have sought ways to improve the quality of student leadership without limiting its independence. Student Affairs has taken initiative to advise student leaders on how to spend the money they are entrusted with, usually tens of thousands of dollars more than they've seen in their entire lives.
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