For God and for country, but not for Yale

By David Bookstaber

Some things have improved noticably over the last five years, such as the Bursar's Office and Undergraduate Career Services (UCS). And even though many students seemed oblivious to the fact that resistance to Locals 34 and 35 was in our interest, the University did what it could to ensure better custodial and dining services at more reasonable prices. Perhaps I should blame the Student Labor Action Coalition (SLAC), and not the Administration for the fact that even if I were to stay on-campus another five years (when the current contract expires) I wouldn't have any more appetizing options than cereal and scrod three times a day for $3,200, or cereal and scrod twice a day for $3,200 plus $200 "Flex."

But school isn't just scrod and UCS. School is about community. But here, community apparently means having the Administration in a castle guarded by a wall of rude secretaries and a moat of arbitrary rules, while the students are outside like peasants. Let's take a look at some more familiar manifestations of our Administration's apathy.

Most of us must live in the residential colleges for at least a year. Along with tuition, room charges climb faster than the rate of inflation. One might assume that the difference is being applied to improve services, but apparently this is not the case. One of the more arrogant shortcomings of our colleges is that they assume no liability for their service. If the heating system bursts and destroys your property, you can only hope that somebody up there is in a merciful mood, or else you cover the loss yourself. And what about summer storage? At least in Saybrook, there is minimal provision for storage, and the college washes its hands of any responsibility for the security of your belongings. This system is absurd. There is plenty of space, and the colleges should ensure enough security to assume liability.

Let's look at another recent case: the Freshman Class Council petitioned for freshmen to have the right to choose Flex dollars for the spring semester (I can't believe this is forbidden in the first place). Dean of Student Affairs Betty Trachtenberg responded to the petition by saying that although administrators have discussed the idea, "there's not a lot of enthusiasm" for it. So we have to stand by and pray that some day the administrators show up to work, perhaps with an extra cup of coffee, sufficiently enthusiastic to effect zero-cost improvements to the lives of undergraduates.

In addition, my own circumstances have allowed me to test further the Administration's true constitution. I left Yale after my freshman year for a two-year religious mission. Several students do this every year, but the Administration refuses to grant us an extended leave for this program, insisting that we withdraw and then reapply. This adds insecurity and hassle to our return. For decades, complaints have been sent to relevant committees and administrators, but no change or justification has ever been returned. Of course, what can we expect? There is no justification. It would be easier to change the United States Constitution than the Yale College Undergraduate Regulations.

I'm also one of seven Yalies doing ROTC. Fortunately, we receive tremendous support from Facilities Director Ed Davis--the program literally would not survive without him. ROTC isn't more popular largely because Yale refuses to grant credit for the ROTC course we must carry every semester. Every university in the state gives credit for this course, and Yale also did until 1968. Whatever partisan politics motivated its removal from campus then are ridiculously childish to perpetuate today.

President Richard Levin, GRD '74, seems to offer some hope. At his inauguration in the fall of 1993, I glimpsed a vision of continuous improvement at Yale, especially in its service to students. Is the Yale Administration really just a self-serving organization designed to keep students at bay until they can be milked for money by the higher-ups on the other side of the castle wall? It may seem that way, but maybe it is partially our fault too. Our tendency to forget the many problems characterized here is eloquently noted in my favorite Yale song, "Bright College Years," which subtly cautions, "How bright will seem through mem'ry's haze, Those happy, golden, by-gone days!" Unless we push the issue, there is no incentive for Yale to step up its service. It is natural for the administrators, realizing that their negative actions will bear no consequences, to continue in their ways. I hope we can all change--now.

David Bookstaber is a junior in Saybrook.

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