"Nobody is asking Yale to change its policy in the dorms, or the dorms [themselves]," Lewin said, stressing that the students are seeking exemptions-not changes.

Negotiations

Tom Conroy, a spokesperson for Yale, said yesterday that college officials attempted to negotiate a means for the students to satisfy their needs while living on campus. However, he said the students refused the college's previous offers and Yale currently stands firm in its endorsement of the residential requirement.

"Yale defines itself as a residential university," Conroy said. "If a student segregates himself or herself from that, they're denying themselves the benefit of interaction as well as denying others the chance to be exposed to their culture."

Conroy said the college's contention is that the residential requirement poses no threat to students or their well-being.

"The university is extremely confident that its residency requirement policy is legal and not in violation of any statutes," he said. "We view any claims against it as unfounded."

Conroy said that Yale will not negotiate any exceptions to the residency requirement.

"Yale is saying we won't discipline these students as long as they pay the [rooming] fee," Lewin said. "Not that Yale's saying it's so important to live on campus that they won't give you a degree."

"If your age excuses you, I don't know why your religion can't," he added.

Although all five students are currently enrolled at Yale and paying for room and board, none of them are living on-campus, but they are able to eat kosher meals provided through their room and board fee.

In addition to the potential suit, the students are currently requesting full compensation for board payments-about $6,800 per student.

Could it Happen at Harvard?

Some students dining at Hillel last night said the Yale case has already sparked controversy among the Jewish community on campus.

"I can see where [Hack] has a problem," said Shalom E. Holtz '99, a leader of the Orthodox minyan, of prayer group, at Hillel.

"I have known people who went here and had similar problems," Holtz said. "I can picture it happening here."