From the President’s and Vice President’s Desk: We Want YOU

Once elected to the student government, we knew this summer would be about more than just preparing for the upcoming academic year — it would be about laying the foundation for a stronger, more connected campus community. 

At the end of May, we reached out to all Beren students, encouraging them to get involved directly with BCSG, the Beren Campus Student Government. More than 30 students applied to fill open positions on the board. During the interviews, we emphasized that as a part of BCSG, they would not be confined or limited to their position. By applying to be a part of the BCSG, a student is buying into the university, into serving their fellow students and declaring their intention to improve their campus. Each member’s job is simply the starting position of what they can accomplish; far be it from us to limit the scope of their ambition. 

We asked each candidate four key questions to understand their vision, the goals they have beyond the position, their ideas to strengthen the Beren community and the unique strengths they bring to the team. Their ideas touched everything from bridging the gap between students and making the campus feel welcoming to everyone. They wanted to create more programming between Beren and Wilf, especially for Syms students. Additionally, many students shared ideas involving allocating more money towards improving Shabbat, such as lowering the cost of meals, bringing in more guest speakers and expanding programming. Others highlighted the importance of integrating TAC (Torah Activities Council) and clubs to encourage collaboration. Several candidates expressed how getting more involved during their second semester gave them a greater sense of community, and they want to use that perspective to push others to get involved and find a place in the YU community. 

Once we found our team, we focused on building relationships with deans across every department. Through introductory emails and meetings, we had the opportunity to establish open communication channels. These conversations served as the opening to sharing ideas, discussing student needs and ways BCSG can better support each department. Many of these conversations have already inspired projects and ideas that will shape the upcoming year. 

Based on our discussions, we then formulated a list of goals for this year, including making events and activities known to as many students as possible, collaborating with clubs and organizations to create diverse events, facilitating a dialogue between students and administration, improving the Shabbat experience and ultimately creating an environment where all students feel welcomed, heard and have the opportunity to be active members of the YU community.

All of these goals fall under BCSG’s 2025-2026 guiding motto of “We are One.” We, along with the rest of the BCSG, the administration and the Beren student body at Stern, are one community. We are united in the goals of creating a campus that reflects and encourages the diversity of the student body; encourages personal, religious and academic growth; and empowers students to be active, participating members of the University.

We want you to express interest in an idea or project, and to bring you into the process as we implement your initiatives. Each and every person at Stern has the opportunity to create the campus that they want to see, to shape, to build and to grow. In a school like ours, with only a few hundred students, your contribution has the power to influence outsized results. As we begin the year, we have the opportunity to look at the empty calendar before us. Looking at the upcoming months, you have a decision to make. You can travel the calendar and let the year pass, or you can make your mark on these eight months. At the end of the year, May will come either way; it’s up to you what you see looking back from there.

Photo Caption: BCSG Logo

Photo Credit: Yeshiva University