JANUARY

Heller Dean steps down after 11 years: Prof. Jack Shonkoff, 56, who led the Heller School for Social Policy and Management to national prominence during his 11 years as dean, told the University he would resign from that post in August. Shonkoff made his decision after the research body he chairs, the National Scientific Council on The Developing Child, received a $750,000 grant from the MacArthur Foundation.

Faculty questions Jaffe's proposal: In response to Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe's proposed curriculum changes-which included cuts to classics, linguistics, NEJS and other departments, but would have aided the economics and East Asian studies departments-the Humanities Council wrote a letter of recommendation to the administration, saying that while some of Jaffe's ideas would be beneficial, others would be "extremely harmful." The provost and the faculty senate then created a committee to review the proposal. In February, the committee issued a report condemning Jaffe's plan.

Drugs allegedly slipped to students at ZBT rush party: Two students who shared an alcoholic drink at a ZBT rush party said they experienced symptoms consistent with the drug ecstasy. "Everyone in my fraternity is completely outraged about what happened," former ZBT President David McElhoe '06 said: "No one had any part in any of what did or did not occur. We are going to take precautions to make sure this never happens again."

Snowed in: One of the worst blizzards in southeastern New England's history blanketed the Brandeis campus late into a Sunday afternoon, leaving close to two feet of snow, and prompting the administration to cancel classes the next day. Some students took the opportunity to sled down the hill adjacent to the library, and Michelle Gonzalez '08, a Texas native not used to seeing snow, said "Every time I look outside, I am in awe of it." Meanwhile, Mark Collins, head of University Services, said "I wish the snow would just stop blowing."


FEBRUARY

Ex-terrorist talks of transformation: Students crowded the Shapiro Theater to hear ex-terrorist Walid Shoebat-whose visit to campus was cancelled the previous November because of security concerns-discussed his conversion from a Palestinian terrorist to an adamant supporter of Israel. He said the only solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is open dialogue between Arabs and Jews. Although he lived most of his life in Israel, Shoebat said he never spoke to a Jew. Although most students said they agreed with Shoebat's message after the speech, one Palestinian student walked out.

'Deis and football meet again: Despite not fielding a football team in 46 years, the University boasted alumni connections to both teams playing in Super Bowl XXXIX, while simultaneously celebrating the Hall of Fame nomination of former Brandeis football coach, athletic director and football icon Benny Friedman. Friedman was elected to the Hall of Fame a day before the Super Bowl between two teams with Brandeis ties: the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots. Eagles owner Jeff Lurie earned a doctorate at the Heller School in 1987, while Myra Kraft '64 owns the Patriots with her husband Robert. "I'm just rooting for a great game," Reinharz said a week before the Patriots topped the Eagles 24-21. "Both families are very close to us. Whoever wins, Brandeis is part of it."

MARCH

Jaffe backs down on proposals: After over four months of deliberation, Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe announced a reconsideration of his curricular proposal, in the wake of significant faculty criticism and a scathing report issued by the Faculty Review Committee, which had been impaneled to review the proposal. "I understand and accept that the process that we chose to pursue these discussions has turned out to be problematic," he said. "I would like now to move on and get as constructive a result as we can."

WBball repeats as ECAC champs after narrowly missing NCAAs: For the second year in a row, the women's basketball team started the season on an unprecedented winning streak and rose in the national rankings but stumbled in late-season conference play to miss its goal of the NCAA tournament before steamrolling the competition in the ECAC tournament. Caitlin Malcolm '07 was named conference and tournament MVP, dropping 15 points and 13 rebounds in the ECAC title game to cap off a stellar season.

Athlete nearly paralyzed in car crash: Men's basketball rookie Rocco Toppi '08 was driving on Route 128 when he said a car cut him off in the middle of a lane change. Toppi said he only remembers hitting the guardrail and entering an ambulance. "People said he's lucky to be alive," one teammate said. After suffering multiple fractures in his back, neck, shoulder and rib and a collapsed lung, Toppi went on to make a full recovery.

Two swimmers suspended from nationals: Brandeis sent three men's swimmers to the NCAA championships in Texas, but only one competed, after Chris Pai '07 and Leon Rosefigura '07 were suspended for "violating team rules," according to a University press release. Although neither Pai, Rosefigura or coach James Zotz would specify the nature of the violation, captain Matt Christian '05, who was also at nationals and closed out his career with a school record, told the Justice that Pai and Rosefigura were suspended for smoking marijuana in their hotel room. Neither would rejoin the team. "The two of them being there was an honor, and they threw that honor down the drain," Christian said.

Feinberg elected president: With a record turnout of over 1,600 students, Jenny Feinberg '07 slid past opponent Alana Hamlett '06 to win the Student Union presidential election by a vote of 806 to 713. As a rising junior, Feinberg said she would be able to devote more time toward becoming a more effective leader. "A lot of seniors have one foot out the door," she said. "As a junior, you are at the peak of your leadership and can devote all of your energy to Brandeis."

BTV says it needs funding boost, but students say no: In the same election, students settled a month-long debate voting not to increase funding for the campus television network, BTV65. The amendment-which would have more than doubled it's annual funding while reducing the allocations given to Student Events, WBRS, the Justice and the Archon-was approved by only 30 percent of voters, less than half of the two-thirds majority required to pass. The amendment faced obstacles even before getting on the ballot, when Village Quad Senator David Fried '06 filed a judiciary complaint alleging that BTV had collected the necessary signatures for ballot status under false pretenses, Fried argued that BTV had claimed the amendment would leave the funding of BemCo and the Waltham Group intact, when in actuality an accounting error would cause both groups to lose a small amount of funding. Even though the Union Judiciary ruled in favor of BTV, the group still came up short of the two-thirds approval needed to pass the amendment.


APRIL

Crown Center debuts: The University's $25 million Crown Center for Middle East Studies opened with a panel discussion on the problems facing Middle East scholarship in the United States. "The center will take on the toughest issues facing the Middle East [and] set a new standard for scholarly inquiry for the region," Provost Marty Krauss said.

Mos Def cancels tour: Critically acclaimed rapper Mos Def cancelled his performance at Gosman for Student Events' annual spring concert. According to the Student Events Web site, he cancelled his entire tour due to a "conflicting movie deal." Student Events offered refunds for all purchased tickets.

Fischer nets a Pulitzer: Prof. David Hackett Fischer (HIST) won the Pulitzer Prize for history for Washington's Crossing, his 2004 book about George Washington's maneuver across the Delaware River on Christmas night of 1776. "I was surprised and delighted," Fischer said of the $10,000 award. He said he "never expected to win."

World-renowned linguist leaves Brandeis for Tufts: Prof. Ray Jackendoff, the linguistics program chair, announced his decision to leave Brandeis after 34 years, saying he accepted a "persuasive offer" from Tufts University to become a director of its Center for Cognitive Studies. With his departure, the program had no returning instructors for academic year 2005-2006, though a proposal that passed in the fall secured the program's future, albeit in a slightly different form.

Alumni open bookstore: Brandeis grads Alex Green and Ezra Sternstein, both '04, opened a bookstore on Moody Street called Back Pages Books. As the only general-interest bookstore in Waltham, the new store proved quite popular with the community. It has played host to numerous readings by some esteemed local authors.


MAY

Student arrested in bomb threat: An e-mail threatening an attack on the International Business School resulted in a complete shutdown of the Sachar Academic Complex and finals in progress at the time. A student was arrested in connection with the threat, which said a bomb would be placed in the International Business School, after the e-mail was traced to a computer in the Shapiro Campus Center where UNet help desk workers had seen the student at the approximate time the e-mail was sent. The student, who adamantly denied any connection with the threat, returned to school in September after the case against him was thrown out because the prosecution was unable to proceed, having failed to produce the necessary witnesses by trial time.

Marshall delivers keynote address: Margaret Marshall, the chief justice of Massachusetts' highest court who authored the November 2003 majority opinion to permit gay marriage in the state, delivered the University's 54th commencement address to 998 seniors and graduate students in a packed Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. Marshall, a former anti-apartheid activist from South Africa, defended what she called an "assault on an independent judiciary, the gatekeeper of our constitutional freedoms."

SUMMER

Gordon Field gets overhaul: Gordon Field, the University's primary athletic field, received a makeover during the summer as its patchy, divot-filled grass surface was replaced with artificial turf. The project was advanced beyond its initial plans, resulting in the completion of an 8-lane track surrounding the field and full lighting by early in the fall semester, well ahead of schedule. "It's a slice of heaven," men's soccer coach Mike Coven said upon completion of the field surface installation in August.

AUGUST

Admin. has eye on club funding: A $35 Student Events fee appeared on students' bills over the summer. Students always paid this fee, but it had previously been included in the overall Student Activities Fee, the charge all students pay to fund the majority of campus groups. The decision to isolate the Student Events fee on the bill was a "small step in having Student Events become more identified, accountable and visible on the campus," Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer said.

Reich leaves 'Deis for Berkeley: Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor and professor of social and economic policy, announced that he would leave Brandeis at the end of the fall semester to teach at the University of California at Berkeley. He taught his popular "Wealth and Poverty" course one last time in the fall.

SEPTEMBER

Katrina devastates, Brandeis mounts response: In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Brandeis opened its doors to students who were displaced from their home universities. Six Tulane University students chose to attend Brandeis for the semester. Some said the adjustment was difficult, but that Brandeis had been welcoming. "I don't hate it here, it's just that I'm out of my comfort zone," said Yoni Sunshine, a Tulane senior who studied at Brandeis this fall. The Student Union and other student groups also raised over $2,000 for relief efforts, and members of the Class of 2009 donated more than $1,400 from their pockets during an orientation event.

Club liaison position resurrected: The Union Senate revived the position of club liaison. "There's this big rift between the clubs and the Union and neither knows what the other is doing," former Class of 2008 Senator Noah Haber said.

Feinberg begins funding review: Student Union president Jenny Feinberg '07 began an extensive review of the club funding process by meeting with many club leaders, with the intention of proposing an amendment to the Union constitution by the end of the semester. Feinberg later realized the scope of the project was too large to figure out quickly and on her own, and she created four committees to review different aspects of the club funding system with the hope of bringing an amendment before the student body early in the spring semester.

"A lot [of clubs] are experiencing frustration about getting money from the Finance Board and not knowing where else to go for funds," she said. "We need to find out if we're delegating funds correctly and if the finance board has enough [money to give out]."

OCTOBER

STAND rallies at City Hall: Students Taking Action Now: Darfur, or STAND, a nationwide student organization that aims to spread awareness of the genocide in Darfur, emerged as one of the most visible groups on campus last fall. The Brandeis branch helped organize a rally at Boston City Hall and an international day of fasting. Later in the semester, STAND members testified on Beacon Hill about the importance of divesting from Sudan.

Kweli revives the old school: Hip-Hop artist Talib Kweli "hit the stage with a wicked freestyle that sent the crowd jumping," according to Justice staff writer Matthew Wright. Kweli performed as part of Student Events' fall concert, along with opening acts Mighty Purple and Blackalicious.

USEM reform under UCC review: The University Curriculum Committee discussed a proposal to revamp the USEM program, primarily by allowing USEM courses to count toward students' majors, making certain seminar classes more discipline-specific, creating a standardized writing seminar course and decreasing class sizes.

Sprinkler accident drenches East: For the third time in as many semesters, a sprinkler head burst in the dorms and sent residents rushing to shove their belongings into plastic garbage bags. Students on the sixth floor of Pomerantz Hall hit a sprinkler head with a football, flooding the hall and sending water into rooms two floors below.

NOVEMBER

Thomas Friedman '75 to teach next year: Three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times Thomas Friedman '75 agreed to teach a class at some point next academic year, according to University President Jehuda Reinharz. Although specifics of the class are not available, Reinharz said it would be an economics class about globalization.

Linguistics plan gains approval: The UCC approved a new interdepartmental program titled Language and Linguistics to replace the current linguistics program. The new program offers more flexibility in choosing electives and also includes a new course called Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis, which teaches about language in a social context. With the new curriculum finalized, Jaffe said a search could begin for a linguistics chair to replace Prof. Ray Jackendoff, who left Brandeis to take a position at Tufts University.

Elderly driver hits student on South Street: Shoshana Speiser '06 was hit by 82-year-old driver Louise Hatabian while crossing South Street, police and witnesses said. Speiser suffered no major injuries, but her left side was seriously bruised. Speiser was the third pedestrian to be struck by a vehicle on South Street in the last five years, according to Director of Public Safety Ed Callahan.

$80M in new debt to replace three science buildings: The Board of Trustees approved $100 million in new debt, $80 million of which will help fund a $154 million science quad renewal project. Eventually, Kalman, Friedland and Edison-Lecks will be entirely replaced. "Many of those buildings are the oldest academic buildings on campus," said Chief Operating Officer Peter French. "We cannot sustain our science program in these inadequate facilities." The other $20 million in new debt will fund construction of new dormitories to replace the Ridgewood Cottages.

Archdiocese transfers chaplain: Father David Michael, the campus Catholic chaplain, announced that he was reassigned to a parish in Boston, and would leave Brandeis at the end of the semester. Michael said he was working with the Archdiocesan Office of Campus Ministry to find a replacement.


DECEMBER

Students assaulted in Village and Massell: Charlotte Benham '07 was reading in her bed in the Village Quad when a man she didn't recognize pushed open her door, grabbed her and repeatedly punched her in the face. The alleged assailant, who fled the scene quickly and has yet to be identified by police, followed a resident into the building, highlighting concerns about campus safety. The same night, three female residents of Shapiro Hall in Massell Quad reported that a man of a similar description also entered their rooms that night. One was awake when the trespasser entered and quickly left, but two of the students were asleep and said they woke up to the man touching their legs.

Students vote for Fair Trade coffee on campus: A referendum passed in favor of the exclusive sale of Fair Trade coffee on campus. The vote was 620-259, with 43 abstentions. The vote came after almost a year of advocacy efforts by the Fair Trade Brigade, a student group arguing that Fair Trade coffee supports impoverished coffee farmers more so than does regular coffee. Fair Trade coffee was already offered on campus, but the vote throws the weight of the Student Union behind the switch to selling Fair Trade coffee exclusively, and Aramark officials said they would make the switch if students supported it.

Tenure task force recommends extra year on clock: A faculty committee impaneled by Provost Marty Krauss suggested that assistant professors receive an extra year before they are considered for tenure. With the change, professors would come up for tenure review after seven years of teaching, instead of after six, as in the current system, giving them more time to prepare.

Stein cited for serving underage students: The campus restaurant, The Stein, was cited for serving two underage patrons, in one of 84 attempted sting operations in a single night, Waltham police Lieutenant Joseph Brooks said. Brooks said he conducted compliance checks-which utilize actual underage students from local colleges-at 84 establishments that night, at that The Stein was one of four places cited for liquor violations, subjecting it to a three-day suspension of its liquor license when meeting with the Waltham License commission later in the month.

 — This article was edited to remove a student's name, as of April 2024.