By Gabriella Gomperts, Features Editor
In response to an article published in the YU Observer by Senior Features Editor Aiden Harow (YC ‘26) discussing problems out-of-towners often face at Yeshiva University, the Yeshiva Student Union (YSU) and Beren Campus Student Government (BCSG) formed a committee to address such issues commonly voiced by out-of-towners.
The joint statement released by both campus’ student governments on Oct. 22 states, “Yeshiva Student Union (‘YSU’) and Beren Campus Student Government (‘BCSG’) are excited to report great progress in enhancing life on campus for “out-of-towners” (those who live outside of the local New York/New Jersey area).” The statement continued, “In recent months, there has been growing discussion on major issues for these students. A recent meeting with university administrators and deans has produced an agreement to work on a number of key points.”
The statement reports that student leadership is working with the YU administration to address specific problems out-of-towners have raised concerns about. These include Friday travel days and Thursday return days for students who have to go long distances before Shabbat and chagim; the lack of Shabbat programming on both campuses, including off campus shabbatons; the lack of Motzei Shabbat events and access to food on Saturday nights; and lastly, giving out-of-town Beren students priority in dorms on lower floors and with kitchens.
Sam Weinberg (YC ‘25), YSU President, told the YU Observer that many out-of-towners felt ignored after YU decided to have in-person classes on the Wilf campus between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, forcing students who live far away to stay near YU for the long holiday weekend or miss the three days of school in between.
“The situation highlighted something many students have been feeling: that the perspectives of out-of-towners aren’t adequately taken into consideration in the policymaking in the university,” Weinberg told the YU Observer. “The hope of the committee is to both responsively and proactively combat that notion and to ensure our university is a home for everybody.”
Shalhevet Cohen (SSSB ‘25), BCSG President, helped start the committee with Weinberg. As leaders in student government, they’re both dedicated to creating productive solutions for out-of-town students, Cohen said.
“The committee’s goal is to serve as liaisons between out-of-towners and the administration, and to work together to implement positive changes to improve life on campus,” she told the YU Observer.
The statement released by the YU student governments also noted that a budget has already been set aside to cover these changes. “These are just some of the major ideas discussed, and will continue to be expanded on as the ‘out-of-town’ improvement moves forward,” the statement read. “We are looking forward to implementing these goals, and are eager to continue representing the out-of-town students.”
Harow, who was asked to help lead the committee, has played a major role in spearheading this initiative and raising awareness to the YU administration about the lack of accommodations for out-of-town students. “Many YU policies are definitely, if unintentionally, discriminatory towards out-of-towners,” he told the YU Observer. “We plan to address the main issues that hurt the YU out-of-town experience: the lack of representation [and] consideration [afforded to these students], and the lack of a sufficiently vibrant community life to serve as the safety net we all desperately need.”
Sara Hellman (SCW ‘25), a YU student from Los Angeles, who filled out the form sent by the committee to all students asking for input on out-of-town life at YU, usually goes home for longer breaks, and agrees that out-of-towners at YU need more care. “Walking into the caf on a Thursday night to find a minimal selection of food, converting lounges to study rooms or research labs, the lackluster erev and motzei Shabbat programming and a calendar with travel days that are unfriendly to my six hour flight are all things that can have a little more attention directed towards them to help us feel a little more taken care of,” Hellman told the YU Observer.
Weinberg believes this committee will be successful in creating a more welcoming campus environment for out-of-towners. “My biggest hope for this group is that we can fend off the feeling that out-of-towners aren’t taken properly into consideration in policy making,” Weinberg told the YU Observer. “Whether that be in the creation of the calendar, Shabbat programming, or other avenues, this group can… (and already has) make a tangible impact and ensure that our campus communities work for us all.”
Hellman is hopeful that the committee will ensure a brighter future for out-of-towners. “I understand that these things take time and it is possible that I will have graduated long before all six of the key points from the press release will be addressed,” she said. “While I may not benefit from these directly, I hope the input I’ve given to the council will help future students.”
Photo Caption: YU’s Wilf campus
Photo Credit: The YU Observer