YU Israel Schools to Undergo Reaccreditation Process
Yael Wolynetz
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: News
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The second area to be evaluated is the academic and programmatic quality of the seminaries and yeshivot. As part of the process, administrators of YU will develop a system by which to ensure that participating schools are offering students high level classes that can be considered "university level" and that they are actually spending enough hours in those classes to earn the awarded credits.
In a situation where a school fails to comply with the academic requirements, it will cease to be included as part of the S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program.
"If the schools are on our program, students are eligible for full credit, provided they took the required courses," Dean Bacon explained. "We do not have schools on our program whose curricula do not include enough academics to qualify for full credit."
According to Dr. Davis, another important aspect of the process is to investigate the hashkafa, or philosophical outlook, of the various seminaries and yeshivot.
"If the faculty of the school does not think that the next best thing for their students is to come to YU," he wondered, "then why are we partners with them?"
When asked if there was any particular precipitator for the reaccreditation, Dr. Davis answered that "the timing is right in terms of both external and internal focuses of the university."
He explained that the external focuses refer to a widely publicized scandal relating to an overseas program of a particular university, which subsequently prompted many institutions to look more closely into their own overseas programs. "When asked the question, 'Have you, YU, done right by your students?' we want to be able to answer with a resounding yes," he said.
"From an internal perspective, we want to present the proper blend of Torah u'Madda," the vice president continued. "This can be ensured only by having extensive knowledge of the programs."
Dean Bacon added that many details surrounding the large-scale reaccreditation were still undetermined.
"The committee meeting is taking place after the Sukkot break during which the committee members will refine their methodology working with the Yeshiva University staff in Israel," she elaborated.
She expanded on the importance of the upcoming gathering, saying that "during this meeting the procedure will be formalized-who is doing what in terms of the faculty and administration and which programs will be revisited."
Overall, Dean Bacon explained that the reaccreditation is a positive step for the university. Nonetheless, she acknowledged that "even though evaluation is a healthy process, being evaluated is no fun."
In a situation where a school fails to comply with the academic requirements, it will cease to be included as part of the S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program.
"If the schools are on our program, students are eligible for full credit, provided they took the required courses," Dean Bacon explained. "We do not have schools on our program whose curricula do not include enough academics to qualify for full credit."
According to Dr. Davis, another important aspect of the process is to investigate the hashkafa, or philosophical outlook, of the various seminaries and yeshivot.
"If the faculty of the school does not think that the next best thing for their students is to come to YU," he wondered, "then why are we partners with them?"
When asked if there was any particular precipitator for the reaccreditation, Dr. Davis answered that "the timing is right in terms of both external and internal focuses of the university."
He explained that the external focuses refer to a widely publicized scandal relating to an overseas program of a particular university, which subsequently prompted many institutions to look more closely into their own overseas programs. "When asked the question, 'Have you, YU, done right by your students?' we want to be able to answer with a resounding yes," he said.
"From an internal perspective, we want to present the proper blend of Torah u'Madda," the vice president continued. "This can be ensured only by having extensive knowledge of the programs."
Dean Bacon added that many details surrounding the large-scale reaccreditation were still undetermined.
"The committee meeting is taking place after the Sukkot break during which the committee members will refine their methodology working with the Yeshiva University staff in Israel," she elaborated.
She expanded on the importance of the upcoming gathering, saying that "during this meeting the procedure will be formalized-who is doing what in terms of the faculty and administration and which programs will be revisited."
Overall, Dean Bacon explained that the reaccreditation is a positive step for the university. Nonetheless, she acknowledged that "even though evaluation is a healthy process, being evaluated is no fun."
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