Clothing can speak so loudly at times that it forces you to drop everything you're doing and just stare. As I walk down the Rabb steps across campus to Sherman Dining Hall, I cannot help but notice all the sweatshirts boasting Harvard, Yale and Penn. I am always tempted to remind the people wearing them that they actually go to Brandeis. Although I never say anything, I do start thinking. I think about whether Harvard and Yale students would wear a Brandeis sweatshirt because it was comfortable and warm. But most importantly, I think about the squelched sense of school spirit on our campus.

The lack of school spirit takes the form of self-deprecation. I heard a first-year sarcastically say that he thought the Zeta Beta Tau highlighter party would be a study session in the frat house at which students would highlight each other's notes. The University bookstore has a shirt that reads, "Brandeis football, undefeated since 1959." When students visit the University and go into the bookstore, that is what they see: One should ask, "Is this display of self-deprecation appropriate to showcase? Are we trying to compensate for a football program, which is an integral part of college life at many universities, with cynicism?" Our education is costing us a leg and an arm; part of getting the most out of this investment requires safeguarding our school's reputation. We need to moderate the public display of self-deprecation, and we need to nurture a stronger sense of school spirit.

In a maelstrom of brainstorming, I came up with two suggestions to remedy this situation. My goal is not to dictate what I think should be done. Rather, I hope to stimulate conversation about constructive ways to address this issue.

1. The student body should take active steps to support the sports teams-perhaps even a new type of team.

At the moment, this university is not a state school with a powerhouse football team to cheer for, but the energy exuded by state schools during football season is an important contributing factor to increasing school spirit. Football, more than other sports, gives students a common enemy, which is critical in uniting any group of people. People have told me that it goes against the culture here. I have heard people say that we are not a sports school and it just would not work. I could not disagree more. Football is a wholesome social outlet, and you don't have to be an enthusiast to enjoy being in the stands. This university could use a football team.

And on a similar note, I think the Student Union should take it upon itself to spend more time advertising and promoting the next big basketball game or soccer game. We need to create a stronger culture around our athletic programs. I suggest that the Student Union purchase towels with the University logo and give them out at games to swing around over our heads. Or the Student Union could give out food and thundersticks at games. Whatever the Union does, it has to be compelling enough to bring people out of the library and into the stands.

2. Great buildings have always reflected the power and accomplishments of countries, states and, of course, universities.

Every tour of our campus includes a visit to the Usen Castle, an iconic symbol of the University used to impress potential students. I am baffled as to why more capital is not invested into maintaining and improving the interior of the Castle. Instead of being the most-desired place to live on campus, the Castle is notorious for having old rooms with leaking pipes. If investments were directed toward making the Castle's interior as impressive as its exterior, we would truly be able to take pride in it. I would even go as far to say that the University should invest in refurnishing older buildings on campus instead of investing in new buildings. The Mandel Center for the Humanities and the Shapiro Campus Center are incredibly modern facilities that we can take pride in. However, there are many structures that have existed at Brandeis for longer periods of time that could use serious renovations: Massell Quad, Sherman Dining Hall and East Quad. Improving these existing structures forges a stronger nostalgic connection between students and the campus. Alumni will be able to come back to campus and see how buildings they shared memories in are still taken care of and in use. This is an essential part of building a deep sense of school spirit.

We are at a dynamic university that makes unbelievable contributions to the greater community and the world.

Many students here are extremely proud to take part in the campaign for academic excellence and social justice. It would be unfair to say the University has completely muted its sense of school spirit. I am simply trying to suggest ways in which the University can help students express their sense of school pride. Being active in the conversation about what is wrong with our university reflects how much you care about increasing the value of our education.