HUC’s (Hebrew Union College’s) [Non-]Decision

June 24, 2009 · Filed Under Baum's Blog 

My alma mater rabbinical school – Hebrew Union College – has been struggling for months about what to do with a large deficit looming. As a refresher: the school has four campuses (Jerusalem, Cincinnati, New York, and Los Angeles) – and only a few hundred students ( I believe).  It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that that is a difficult business model.

HUC’s Board of Governors’ had/has some very difficult decisions to make – and I don’t envy being in that position.  There are wonderful things about each of HUC’s campuses – and reasons to keep them all open.  However, such a model does not seem fiscally responsible.

HUC has threatened seriously to close its Cincinnati campus (but backed down from that plan when there was a revolt).  HUC has threatened seriously to close its Los Angeles campus (but backed down from that plan when there was a revolt).  HUC hasn’t seriously threatened to close its New York campus – which may say something about where the majority of their large donors and board members come from.

So, we were all waiting for June 23rd – the day HUC would make a major decision and present a plan for the future.  Except… we heard through the rabbi-grapevine (yes, there certainly is such a thing!) that there wouldn’t really be a decision until the October board meeting.  I’m not holding my breath for that.  HUC’s official statement about the board meeting is here.

So, my guess (just a guess, people!) is that HUC will keep four campuses open for as long as it can – and that in the meantime it will attempt to save millions of dollars by laying off many wonderful professors, administrators, and other staff members.  It will cut corners.  It will do its best.  And I hope that it succeeds and flourishes.

I am worried though – worried that by continually not making decisions – HUC has made a (passive) decision.  And that is scary.  I prefer being proactive; I prefer being forward-thinking; and while it is hard, I think there is a time for bold decisions.  While I recognize that all of that is easy for me to say because I am not in the terribly difficult position of President Ellenson and HUC’s Board of Governors, I have to ask the rabbinic question: If not now, when?

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