"Come to Brandeis. We have a student to faculty ratio of eight to one and rank number nine among the top 26 universities in research productivity. We have over 200 clubs and boast an 85 percent acceptance rate to law school. Being only nine miles from Boston, we offer both the relaxation of a suburb and the luxuries of a city." Sure, this stuff is great. It would answer anyone's questions during a prospective student information session and would make great conversation during a tour. But what makes Brandeis University really amazing is hard to explain to a bunch of high school students itching to get to college where they can be independent from authority, rules and constant supervision. The truth is, no one wants to be truly independent. Everyone wants and needs to be part of a community and feel cared for. Lucky for us, Brandeis does just that.

The past semester has been a very difficult time for the entire Brandeis community. The losses of Reggie Poyau '04, Mary Jagoda '05, and Elie Schwartz '04 have had large effects on both the students and faculty at Brandeis. Whether you knew one, two or all of these wonderful individuals, these tragic events have left people with immense feelings of loss. In these difficult times, the thing needed most is a strong supportive community.

Fortunately at Brandeis, students are not just names on a piece of paper filed in a registrar cabinet, but they are integral members of a community and are treated as such. Brandeis is a school where the Administration truly cares for each individual student, and they believe that an institution's purpose is not only to provide an education, but also to provide a warm, secure, positive atmosphere.

I have often overheard students blaming the "Administration" for things they complain about on campus - East bugs, Sherman food, an abnormally quiet Saturday night, etc. ("Administration" being in quotes because although it is common to think of them as this all-encompassing body with the power to change things on campus with the push of a button, the reality is that they are people with individual passions, responsibilities and concerns about how to best serve the student body).

Therefore, I have two things to say to these students who think that whining to each other about the "Administration" will help their cause. One, if you have a complaint, get out of your dorm room and do something about it. Join a committee, plan an event, and take some action instead of passing the blame to someone else. Two, take a minute to appreciate all the amazing things Brandeis faculty and staff do for you each day. Brandeis University runs smoothly because these people do things above and beyond their job descriptions, things that they never get thanked for. It would be nice to overhear students talking one day of how much they appreciate all that is done for them instead of all they are too lazy to do themselves.

It's unfortunate that it takes an incident like this past week's to see how much the faculty and staff of Brandeis really are there for their students when they need them most. How many schools have an Assistant Dean of Student Life that makes off-campus house-calls when you wake her up at 7:30 a.m. on a Sunday? How many schools have administrators who would drop everything to drive down to New York City to be with students in their hour of need? How many schools have faculty who give out their cell phone number, answer all e-mails personally the same day they are sent and offer to rearrange their schedule to meet with individual students about their individual concerns? I only know of one.

I challenge any Brandeis student to find another university that cares as much for its students as Brandeis does. And I challenge all Brandeis students to step back and realize how lucky they are to be part of such a wonderful community and truly appreciate those that are responsible for making it that way.

Being from southern New Jersey, it wasn't possible to travel the five hours home or have my parents drive the five hours here to be with me this past week. Yes, I spoke to them many times a day on the phone and exchanged frequent e-mails. But the truth is, there is only so much they could do 300 miles away - and much of my dealing with my own emotions had to be attributed to the incredible support I was offered by the Brandeis Administration. The situation wasn't handled like a standard protocol with steps to follow, but by individuals catering to students' needs in this crucial time. I honestly felt as though Brandeis faculty cared about how my friends and I were dealing with this incredible tragedy.

I would like to personally thank Assistant Dean Alwina Bennett, Assistant Dean Lori Tenser, Vice President Jean Eddy, Provost Marty Krauss, Dean Rick Sawyer and Rabbi Allan Lehman for all their support this week. You truly are what make Brandeis not just an institution, but also a family.

Editor's Note: Erica Lemansky is senator for the class of 2005.