Director of the Hiatt Career Center Marty Ford addressed the Senate for feedback on recent developments within the department including internships, career counseling and a larger staff size. He spoke of the success of the Hiatt Assessment, a career evaluation targeted toward first-year students, and the sophomore-targeted career shadowing program. Beth Wexelman '07 and Reuven Solomon '08, respective senior and junior representatives to the Alumni Association, approached the Senate for comments in order to represent student opinion at next week's meeting. They also discussed BAMD! '06 (Brandeis Alumni Making a Difference), a program that invites returning alumni to speak about their lives after Brandeis.

Director of Academic Affairs Jason Brodsky '07 announced the invitation of Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe to discuss the academic pass/fail policy with the Senate.

The Brandeis Marching Band distributed copies of its proposed Brandeis "Fight Song."

The Senate recognized Students Organized Against Racism, a group that previously existed under the Intercultural Center and involves other local universities. The club advocates pluralism and provides forums for dialogue surrounding controversial issues.

Director of Social Affairs Cindy Kaplan '08 discussed plans for Purple Rain on Oct. 20. She said event planners worked with the administration to make the event safer than past Modfests.

Senior Representative to the Board of Trustees Albert Cahn '07 and Brodsky proposed a more lenient academic probation policy.

Under the current policy, the Committee on Academic Standing can place students with a semester grade below a D or a semester GPA below 2.0 on probation. The senate will introduce a more transparent and "forgiving" policy to administration officials and University committees.

Union President Alison Schwartzbaum '08 discussed potential plans for the reconstruction of Ridgewood, which may result in a 70-to-85 net gain of beds. She said the University ultimately aims to accommodate 90 percent of students on-campus.

Other potential housing plans include a lower C-store and the eventual renovation of the Charles River Apartments.

Brian Paternostro '07, director of communications, said he is considering delivering the Union's new newsletter door-to-door in response to students ripping them down from the walls.

The Senate went into executive session for unknown reasons.



-Lindsay Vacek