1982-1983 Rothberg Yearbook

IN T E R V IE W W ITH THE VICE-PROVOST
An interview with Israel Roi, the Vice-Provost o f the Rothberg School for Overseas Students.
Secretaries rush around, Israel Roi comes in and out again occupied with other duties.
Our interview begins when he does finally sit down, then an overwhelmingly cooperative
and friendly atmosphere develops from the conversation. . . .
Q. What are the responsibilities o f the Vice-Provost o f the School?
A .
The Rothberg School, being an independent part o f the Hebrew University, also has
its own administration, the head o f which is the Provost. During his present annual
absence, I am largely responsible for the academic program (selection o f the courses,
students and staff), student affairs (dormitories and Madrichim), financial affairs.
Q. Could you explain the history o f the One Year Program?
A . In 1955, the history o f the One Year Program begins. In that year, 20-30 students of
Hebrew Teacher Colleges expanded the popular American idea o f “ Junior Year Abroad” .
In 1966, the School already had 160 students, and its administration was still under
the supervision o f the Dean o f Students Office. It was in 1970-71 that the School
achieved independence and moved to Mt. Scopus, which had, only after the Six-Day-
War, again become accessible to Israel. The students are divided into two clearly separate
programs: O YP and Mechina. The Summer Ulpan also serves many hundreds o f
students preparing themselves for regular studies. Summer Courses were also integrated
into the School. When the School was established, the academic program comprised
o f a comparatively large selection o f courses in the humanities, and social sciences,
such as History o f Greece, History and Culture o f China etc. Due to the obvious lack of
interest, the choice has been reduced to a small number o f general courses required
by students, the main field being psychology. A t the same time, more than 40% o f
the student body take at least one regular course in
the regular course in the regular program in one o f
the Faculties, where their Hebrew language proficiency
permits this.
Q. Can you describe the student body in terms o f its
origin and academic interests?
A. The One Year Program student body (550 this year)
is composed o f about 75% o f students from the US,
15% from Canada and the other 10% mainly German
and a few French students. The strongest represented
universities this year are the University o f California,
Y ork University in Toronto and Brandeis. The proportion
between male and female students is also
interesting: an obvious overpresentation o f w om en -
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