YSU's plan to streamline its academic programs led to the recent announcement of laying off nine members of its faculty.

Some students are concerned about how one of those layoffs will effect the Center for Judaic and Holocaust Studies at YSU.

Dr. Jacob Ari Labendz is a scholar of History and Jewish studies.
Some students feel laying him off at a time when antisemitism is on the rise does a disservice to the university and the community.

Dr. Labendz has run the center since 2017 and has brought numerous seminars, programs and other learning experience to the university for that program.

YSU leaders had stated that faculty reductions had to be made to reduce programs that didn't have enough student interest.
One of the students active in the center says Dr. Labendz teaches many different courses.

"Dr. Labendz is a scholar of Jewish history but he was hired by the history department which is a thriving academic program. He teaches seminars and graduate programs of European history," said YSU student, Alexis Heldreth.

A spokesperson for YSU's faculty union says Dr. Labendz brings more to the university than just classroom instruction.

"These are things that are valuable in a way that you can't just boil it down to how many students are taking classes from Dr. Labendz because these centers do more than just teach students. They not only teach students in courses but students across campus and they are informing the community," said YSU OEA spokesperson, MArk Vopat.

Students are gathering online signatures in a petition to keep Dr. Labendz.