The University has begun the search for a Justice Brandeis Semester manager and has finalized the members of the JBS overview committee this week. The JBS overview committee consists of faculty administrators and student representatives who will discuss and then finalize all plans having to do with the JBS pilot program. The committee will also create a review committee, which will meet to decide which JBS proposals should go to the faculty and Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for a vote. Approved programs will be implemented this summer and continue into next fall and spring.

The JBS was created last spring to allow students to learn in immersion-based instruction both on and off campus with additions to the curriculum such as internships and research labs. The JBS programs will run over the summer in eight- to 10-week blocks as well as over the fall and spring semesters of 2010 and 2011.

Student Union President Andy Hogan '11 appointed Student Union Director of Executive Affairs Sofya Bronshvayg '11 and member of the Student Union Executive Task Force Danielle Wolfson '11 as student members to the overview committee last Friday.

Hogan sent an e-mail to the Brandeis community Aug. 27 informing students of these open positions and how to apply. Hogan chose students for the positions on the JBS overview committee based on applications and a personal interview.

The JBS manager will be responsible for complete administrative responsibilities regarding the JBS semester, including the organization of the application process for both students and faculty, the planning of JBS orientation and publicity events. The JBS manager will not head the overview committee but will oversee the implementation of any recommendations made by the overview committee, Dean of Arts and Science Adam Jaffe said.

According to the job description, the post requires that the JBS manager perform administrative duties such as tracking student applications for the program and coordinate the review of academic and student life standing.

"The position was created because JBS is a new structure which requires extensive coordination between the administration and faculty," Vice President of Students and Enrollment Jean Eddy wrote in an e-mail to the Justice.

Both faculty and administrative committees formed last spring have been working since June on the many aspects of JBS that need to be considered before the program begins, Jaffe said.

The overview committee includes Wolfson and Bronshvayg, as well as faculty and administrative committee members from the Curriculum on Academic Restructing Steering subcommittees. Overview members include Prof. Timothy Hickey (COSI) and Sacha Nelson (BIOL) as well as University Registrar Mark Hewitt and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences Elaine Wong.

Wong could not be reached for comment by press time.

Hogan told the Justice in an interview that "the overview committee has not yet met as a whole but will be meeting soon they were mostly waiting on my student appointments before coming together."

Once the committee convenes, it will begin the creation of a review committee that will review all JBS proposals submitted by students and faculty. The review committee will then decide which programs to send to the faculty and UCC for a vote.

Hogan explained that he searched for students with prior knowledge about the JBS program during his interviews with committee candidates "since they're going to be thrown into this committee that worked last year and over the summer on the program."

"I was also hoping to find students that would make sure the student voice got heard while also working with the faculty and administration well," Hogan said.

Bronshvayg told the Justice that she felt honored and excited to be on the committee. "I plan to personally make sure student life on campus isn't negatively impacted. Things such as campus overcrowding, how the social scene of friends leaving, dining options while on a JBS program and making sure there are interesting programs people want to participate in," she said.

Wolfson explained to the Justice why she was so interested in the position. "My number-one goal is to make sure all students have a voice and student concerns and fears about this program are addressed. Overall, I think JBS is a really amazing program that, done correctly, has a lot of promise."



-Harry Shipps contributed

reporting