Students Sharon Cai ’18 and Erica Chai ‘17, representing the publication Wander: Brandeis Abroad, requested club recognition at Sunday’s Senate meeting. Wander is a publication which seeks to provide a platform for Brandeis students who have studied abroad to share their inspirations and ideas in writing and art. The presenters suggested possible collaborations with the Study Abroad Office and student publications Laurel Moon and Jaded to have open mic nights. The Study Abroad Office and Provost’s Office used to charter them, but they no longer fund them due to budget cuts.

After much debate about available funds and the inclusivity of the club’s constitution, the Senate voted to recognize Wander with the stipulation that the club change its constitution to be more inclusive in its wording about membership. 

Students Jackie Baikovitz ’17, Sharon Cai ’18 and Linda Forrester ’18 requested chartering for the United Against Inequities in Disease club. UAID is the first public health club at Brandeis focused on helping the Waltham community with public health awareness and bringing together people to combat inequities in public health. 

The national UAID organization provides no funding to support campus or community initiatives for the Brandeis chapter. The club wants to establish volunteer partnerships in the Waltham community with the YMCA and other organizations to combat obesity and hold symposiums. Midyear Senator Dana Brown ’20 proposed that the group go under the umbrella of the Waltham Group due to their work with the Waltham community and purpose of education and advocacy. Associate Justice Lilly Hecht ’18 countered that this club could be political, whereas the Waltham Group tries to be apolitical and would not accept UAID under its umbrella. The Senate voted to charter UAID.

Gabby Lamm ’17 and Gabe Walker ’19, representing the Undergraduate Theater Collective, asked for permission to change the club’s structure and to merge multiple theater clubs into the UTC. The UTC currently houses the Brandeis Ensemble Theater, Brandeis Players, Hillel Theater Group, Tympanium Euphorium, Behind the Scenes and Boris’ Kitchen. 

Lamm cited disorganization, lack of accountability, stress from too many shows being produced and a negative reputation among the student body as problems that the new structure could address. Lamm and Walker suggested changing the constitution of the Hillel Theater Group to become the UTC, which would then include all of the other clubs. The Senate voted unanimously to allow for a constitutional change and put a hold on the vote to decharter all of the sub clubs until the UTC meets with them to let them know of the new changes.

Executive Senator Hannah Brown ’19 reminded the Senate of the upcoming elections on April 4 and told them to tell other people to vote. Brown also announced that Bunny shuttle sales will be extended, as seats remain.

Senator Ryan Tracy ’17, chair of the Club Support Committee, will schedule a meeting with Waltham Group leader Lucas Malo about students traveling for club volunteer work and accounting for trip attendance.

Massell Quad Senator Aaron Finkel ’20, chair of the Campus Operations Working Group, announced that he will be meeting on Friday with the Department of Community Living about the Community Emergency and Enhancement Fund proposal to renovate the freshman quad lounges.

Services and Outreach Committee Chair Hannah Brown put out a survey for deciding the theme of the midnight buffet, with 40 responses recorded so far. Transitional Year Program Senator Geraldine Bogard ’20 reported that she is working on getting food for midnight buffet.

The Senate debated about possible club and senator awards. After much discussion, the Senate agreed to create awards for the clubs, with club leaders able to nominate their clubs for the various awards. Hannah Brown also suggested intra-union awards, which the Senate voted in favor of unanimously.            

—Emily Blumenthal