(11/19/13 5:00am)
This week JustArts sat down with Jennifer Yee, who was hired as patron services coordinator at the Rose Art Museum at the beginning of this year. JustArts: Could you tell us a little about what you did before this position and what your new job entails here at the Rose? Jennifer Yee: I've had a varied background that actually prepared me pretty well for this position. A lot of what could be considered unrelated skill sets came together here. Twenty to 22 years ago ... I was here actually as a Brandeis police officer ... I worked with [Director of Public Saftey] Ed Callahan and a lot of veterans that are still here, at that time, I'd say half of whom I recognized when I came back here. After that I married [and then] I worked a lot of catering events, the retail sector, visitor services and I developed quite an art bend during that time. I had always had it but I took actual drawing classes ... So when I came back here [in 2007] I thought 'what next?' and that's when a position called patron services came up and I thought 'what is patron services?' Well a lot of it is front of the house activities ... I am sort of the face of the administration that deals directly with patrons. I do whatever is needed to help plan logistics, help coordinate events, help with security in terms of crowd control and safe passage when people initiate any events here at the Rose and also in training the student gallery guards. JA: What would you say is the most difficult part of your job? JY: I wouldn't even call it difficult. I would call it challenging because there are many different aspects to the job so maybe the best answer to that question is deciding which hat to put on for that day-am I going to be doing visitor services? Am I going to focus on the security aspect, or am I going to focus on the day-to-day needs of a work order that needs to be put in? JA: Was the SCRAM Jam a difficult event to deal with being in your position? Can you tell me a little about how you handled the security at that event? JY: It's always a challenge. I was actually pleased and surprised when I compared it to last year's figures and the year before. ... We topped out at 707 people [this year]. So I'm almost glad I didn't know that before the night went off. But so yes it's a challenge, and you have to weigh that though against wanting people to enjoy themselves and striking that balance. While I'm observing, say, the numbers [of people] that are allowed by fire code or by what's allowed in terms of agreements with art pieces that are on loan ... But I felt it was very successful. I was very proud of everybody-SCRAM, all the students, how they handled themselves because it was such a large number. And the feedback I got from that event was just incredible. JA: How will you deal with security and safety of the new installation, "Light of Reason," especially since it is an outdoor piece? JY: We have talked about that. In fact that's in the process right now. We are trying to determine what, if any specific issues are needed as far as lighting or as far as camera work or as far as just keeping an eye on the installation piece. We actually are developing protocol as we speak because we are actually beginning the whole process of defining all the terms of the installation. JA: I had heard some rumors that you worked with magic and illusions. Can you tell us a little about that hobby? JY: That actually began back in the late '90s when I was taking classes to entertain my children and it kind of grew into performing for their class and their school and then later other schools. We [my husband and I] began collecting ... these large-scale illusions that we could work into our routine called "The Magic of Chinese New Year." And that's how it started ... It's our avocation, not our vocation but we do work under [the name of] Yee Magic ... It started as an interest and as it turned out there was a rumor in the family that I was related to a mystic medium ... and it turned out that she was friends with Houdini-unusual because Houdini did not like mediums but they had an unusual respect for each other because she entertained and she kept it on an entertainment level ... And the rest as they say is history. -Emily Wishingrad
(11/19/13 5:00am)
An article on the front page of Sunday's Boston Globe expanded upon a fact first published in the Justice on Sept. 24: University President Emeritus Jehuda Reinharz received more than $600,000 in compensation from Brandeis during the 2011 calendar year. This board believes such a large salary, while in line with those of other recently retired presidents at peer institutions, is excessive and representative of a critical problem in higher education. In 2011, Reinharz was second only to University President Frederick Lawrence in a ranking of the University's highest paid employees. We do not deny that Reinharz has had, and continues to have, a tremendous impact on Brandeis through his prolific fundraising record, having raised $1.2 billion during his tenure. However, we question whether it was financially responsible to essentially pay two presidential salaries in 2011, as Reinharz's salary almost matched that of Lawrence. Despite the fact that the decision to compensate Reinharz in this way was made years ago, our concern is especially relevant now. Brandeis is currently attempting to address a $6.5 million deficit through a partial issuing of savings in student services. It also presents a sharp contrast to the collective faculty who, according to a Nov. 12 Justice article, still feel like they have to fight with the Board of Trustees to ensure that they are not underpaid. We believe that Reinharz's salary is a symptom of a major spending problem in higher education. The "golden parachute" phenomenon, in which past presidents or other administrators are given lucrative agreements after their time serving their positions, is representative of growing costs at colleges and universities in the United States and is an additional sign of a troubling systemic problem. According to a University response to the article, Reinharz's president emeritus compensation was "just slightly above the median amount paid to retired presidents at peer institutions." We believe that following a precedent set by a broken system is not a satisfactory reason for maintaining such a problematic practice. Brandeis should be a leader when it comes to controlling extravagant administrative salaries-not performing slightly below average. However, we do not absolve Reinharz of responsibility. His comments representing Brandeis in the Globe article, such as when he said, "I am compensated according to my accomplishments. It's the way America usually works," were condescending and indifferent. Furthermore, Reinharz' willingness to increase his own financial gain at the expense of the University's growing financial burden does not paint a sympathetic picture of him. While it would have been prudent for Reinharz to accept a more modest salary in 2011, we are glad that his salary is in fact on track to decrease. He is contractually in line to continue earning money as president emeritus until June 2014: he earned $287,500 in 2012 and 2013, and will earn $143,750 for 2014, after which he will annually be paid $180,000 as a half-time professor. We urge Brandeis to take on a position of leadership when it comes to controlling the ballooning administrative salaries that already take quite a toll on the pervasive financial issues in higher education. *
(11/19/13 5:00am)
This past Sunday, the long-awaited Dunkin' Donuts opened in the Village, just a few feet from where I live. This development, along with the recent addition of Starbucks in the Goldfarb Library and Heller School for Social Policy and Management, is the most convincing evidence I have seen yet that the new Sodexo dining service will improve our food for the better. While some at Brandeis clamor for more vegetarian options, more organic options, more fat-free options, I simply want food that tastes good. Furthermore, some would protest any type of chain restaurant or establishment. Common arguments against them would be that they unfairly corner the market or drive the smaller stores out of business. Health concerns do exist as well, but those could be equally applied to any type of restaurant. However, in my opinion, this is especially less true in Boston, where a strong local preference allows the "mom-and-pop" stores to thrive, but the animosity against the chains persist. Chain restaurants exist for a reason. When non-local individuals arrive in a new setting, the familiarity of a chain restaurant gives them the reliability of a good and safe meal. The same goes for Brandeis. Since I have never once seen a Brandeis eatery serve a lobster roll or clam chowder (Boston's most famous food), chain restaurants would not cut down on the local cuisine on campus. Two thousand miles away in my native Houston, I regularly ate at both Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts, and I was pleased by the menu from each. Accordingly, I know what I am getting into before I ever open their doors. If I am choosing to frequent the restaurant, I probably have had a previous good experience with it. Of course, it is true that the Brandeis affiliate will specifically be run by Sodexo, our dining service. That being said, while there are bound to be differences, I reckon they will be negligible, as are those with the Starbucks. The chains have a responsibility to uphold their reputations in any location their logo or likeness is used. Therefore, we have been promised of a certain level of quality at these locations. While some would say the Starbucks in the library is of lesser quality than of those in the outside world, I believe it is superior to its predecessor. When it comes to a generic Sodexo establishment, unfortunately, the same does not apply. I have been saddened to see a decline in the quality of food at the Usdan Student Center, compared to last year's Aramark establishments. The biggest exception to my sentiment, in terms of sheer quality of taste, has been the library coffee shop, a previous establishment replaced by a chain. In fact, my quixotic alternative to Brandeis' dining system would simply be privatization and outsourcing of most of the food options. Outside restaurants and chains would take over. Meal plans would apply as vouchers to these restaurants, where dollar-to-dollar conversions would be preserved. The University would maintain a full-service cafeteria which would guarantee things such as kosher and gluten-free options. However, in this free-market solution, the contracted establishments would provide options to the specific groups, so as not to turn themselves off from a huge faction of the market. Indeed, many have already done so. The popular hamburger establishment Wendy's has become well known as catering to the gluten-free lobby, Dunkin' Donuts has a few dozen kosher franchises around the Northeast. Chain restaurants are not engaging in an avaricious plot to corner the market and destroy competition. In fact, if more were introduced to campus, they would assure the opposite. At most dining halls around campus today, the prices are already inordinately expensive; chain restaurants and unmitigated (that is, free of Sodexo's influence) competition would drive prices down. But back to reality, Sodexo was right to seek out chain restaurants for Brandeis and should seek more. The guaranteed quality and efficiency of an establishment you are already familiar with is a great asset and one that should not be taken lightly. Brandeis students should celebrate the increased taste quality and frequent these oases of the outside world. If you need me, I'll be at the Dunkin' outside my room.
(11/19/13 5:00am)
While many of the other Brandeis sports teams have recently been making a name for themselves, the No. 22 women's cross-country team has quietly become one of the best Division III programs in the country this year. After a fifth-place finish at the New England Division III Regional Championships, held at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, the team qualified for the NCAA Division III National Championships to be held next week at Hanover College in Indiana. Led by Amelia Lundkvist '14, who covered the six-kilometer course in 21 minutes, 28.85 seconds and was one of three Brandeis runners named All-New England, the team scored 168 points. Williams College won the meet, earning 44 points. "It feels like a great accomplishment," added Victoria Sanford '14, who earned All-New England honors by virtue of her top-35 finish. "This is a goal that we've had in mind since we got to Brandeis, so it was really exciting to finally achieve it. We worked extremely hard this summer and this season so far, so it's nice to see all our hard work pay off." Lundkvist echoed her teammate's excitement about the news. "It feels amazing, better than amazing, it's hard to put into words," she said. "It still feels surreal. I am so proud of this team." Additionally, the men's squad tied for 17th place with Westfield State University, scoring 480 points. Though Lundkvist has been the team's leading runner for the entire season, she has certainly had some fast teammates to complement her individual efforts. Maddie Dolins '17, the University Athletic Association Rookie of the Year, covered the course in 21 minutes, 53.20 seconds, resulting in a 20th place finish and All-New England honors. Sanford placed right behind Dolins, who also earned All-New England designation with her 31st place finish, running in 22:11.10. Kelsey Whitaker '16 finished just outside the top 35, placing 38th in 22:19.68. Brandeis' top four runners each individually recorded less than six minutes per mile for their average pace-an impressive feat. Ashley Picarillo '17 was the team's final scorer, running 22:56.19, which resulted in a 73rd place finish. Additionally, Kate Farrell '17 placed in 129th with a time of 24:11.39 while Maggie Hensel '16 rounded out the field with a 132nd place finish, crossing the line at 24:13.61. While the men's squad didn't qualify for the national championships, the Judges still had a number of impressive performances. Jarret Harrigan '16 was the top finisher for the Judges, crossing the line 50th overall. Harrigan completed the eight-kilometer course in 25:54.55, a 22 place improvement from his performance at the same meet last year. Quinton Hoey '17 capped his impressive first-year campaign, taking 76th in 26:20.71. Grady Ward '16 was not far behind, taking 85th in 26:27.85. Michael Rosenbach '16 barely cracked the 27-minute barrier, placing 111th in 26:58.00. Matt Doran '17 completed the scoring for the Judges, running the course in 27:47.39 for 161st place. Given that the majority of the season's training has already been done, the women are looking to simply fine tune their fitness. "For this next week we're all really just working on making sure we're as fresh and well rested as we can be," explained Sanford. "At this point, all the training is already done, we just need to fine tune it to be at our best for this weekend." The Division III Championships begin on Saturday at 11 a.m.
(11/19/13 5:00am)
A front-page article in the Nov. 18 Sunday Boston Globe highlighted the salary and benefits packages afforded to former University presidents, with a focus on President Emeritus Jehuda Reinharz. Students and faculty reacted, voicing their concern about Reinharz's compensation but noting that excessive executive compensation is not an issue unique to Brandeis. Reinharz's salary and benefits, as reported by the Justice in a Sept. 24 article, totaled about $627,000 in 2011. In 2009, his penultimate year as University president, Reinharz made about $1.5 million in salary, benefits and other compensation. Reinharz served as University president from 1994 until University President Frederick Lawrence took over on Jan. 1, 2011, making him the second-longest serving president of the University. According to University administrators, Reinharz's post-presidency salary has declined from its high in 2011. Reinharz's total compensation is approximately $300,000 each year from 2012 through 2014. In 2014, Reinharz will be compensated as president emeritus until June at the same rate as 2012 and 2013, with a total compensation that year of about $160,000. After June 2014, Reinharz's annual salary will be $180,000 as a half-time professor. The Globe article questioned Reinharz's current role on campus, stating that he does fulfill the usual roles of a History professor, as he does not teach classes nor does he supervise graduate students. "The chairwoman for Near Eastern and Judaic Studies said she did not even know whether he was officially a member of her department," wrote the Globe. Prof. Sylvia Barack Fishman (NEJS), the chairwoman of NEJS, however, wrote in an email to the Justice that "[t]he comments that the Globe reporter attributed to me were not accurate." She stated that Reinharz is a member of the NEJS faculty. "On a regular, ongoing basis, he is generous as a mentor and guide for graduate students and faculty members, and in donor stewardship and development. Professor Reinharz devotes considerable time and service to Brandeis University and to his research and publications," wrote Fishman. In an email to the Justice, Senior Vice President for Communications Ellen de Graffenreid listed Reinharz's duties, which she said included helping with the presidential transition, cultivating and introducing Lawrence to donors, overseeing the Tauber Institute for the Study of European Jewry and pursuing academic research. According to the Globe, Reinharz was "noncommittal about how much time he devotes to Brandeis." "I've never worked at Brandeis by the hour," Reinharz told the Globe in an interview. Lawrence "asks for advice. I give it. And I don't look at my watch." According to the Globe, Reinharz spent the first year of Lawrence's presidency on sabbatical. Reinharz told the Globe that he is currently co-writing a book on the history of the donkey in literature. "There are smart donkeys, stupid donkeys, evil donkeys, etc., and no one has ever contemplated this on a large scale," Reinharz told the Globe. "It's probably the most ambitious topic I have ever contemplated." In an email to the Justice, Reinharz called the article "incomplete in its analysis." "Given all the time that I spent with the reporter as well as getting him answers and details on every question he asked, I thought he would have been more fair and balanced in his reporting," he said. "I am committed to fulfilling my duties as President Emeritus and I intend to do just that." In response to the article in the Globe, members of the Brandeis community have expressed concern about the amount of compensation received by Reinharz. On Sunday, many students and alumni reposted the article to Facebook. Junior Representative to the Board of Trustees Alex Thomson '15 wrote in an email to the Justice that he would bring "the serious concerns students have with this to the Board of Trustees." "The Boston Globe piece sheds light on an issue that is not unique to Brandeis, as many universities across the country have similar agreements with their past presidents," wrote Thomson. "That being said, I am very concerned with the idea of raising tuition each year while we continue to pay Reinharz's compensation." Chair of the Faculty Senate Prof. Eric Chasalow (MUS) said faculty reaction to the article has been "mixed," with "some anger and frustration." In an email to the Justice, Prof. Sabine Von Mering (GRALL) wrote that "[l]ike elsewhere we now have some administrators who earn ten times what some faculty earn. And faculty are privileged compared for example to our cafeteria workers. That's simply wrong and out of balance. "Our alumni and our Board of Trustees should be national leaders in fighting this trend of growing income disparity. ... We must practice what we preach. This includes our former President Reinharz. There is a donkey in one of the brothers Grimm's fairy tales that shits gold. President Reinharz should know better than to treat Brandeis like a donkey that shits gold." Chasalow wrote in an email to the Justice that "faculty are very concerned about all kinds of financially driven issues that Brandeis shares with all universities." "So naturally, out of context, the payments to Dr. Reinharz seem to be in competition with our goals," wrote Chasalow. "But context does matter, and as president, Dr. Reinharz raised $1.2 billion, adding desperately needed endowed faculty chairs, sorely needed facilities, and significant student scholarship funds, more than quadrupling the endowment. In his role at the Mandel Foundation, he continues to make a significant contribution to the financial future of Brandeis." Prof. Mary Baine Campbell (ENG) drew attention to the reader comments on the online version of the article. "They don't bode well for Brandeis fundraising or recruitment," she wrote in an email to the Justice. "The interview seems an unfortunate lapse of judgment on the part of our former president, though the facts of the compensation stand by themselves as a bad advertisement. "Maybe this will, at least inside Brandeis, lead to some soul searching and some changes," said Campbell. "It's wrong to pay people so much for doing so little when many other people at Brandeis are being paid less than a living wage for doing a lot," wrote Campbell in an email to the Justice. Several hours after the release of the Globe story, the University published a response on BrandeisNOW. "The decision by the Board of Trustees in 2009 to retain Jehuda Reinharz as President Emeritus was fully consistent with best practices for leadership succession planning," read the statement. "According to an independent compensation review, his president emeritus compensation (which ends in July 2014) was just slightly above the median amount paid to retired presidents at peer institutions." In an email to the Justice, Reinharz responded to the Globe article by emphasizing his record at the University. "I am very proud of my record and hope to continue to be of service to Brandeis for many years to come," he wrote. *
(11/12/13 5:00am)
Evaluate communal role on campus In response to your article "Uniting religious segments" (Nov. 5): In response to your article, "Uniting religious segments," this reader finds that the author was not comprehensive in her research. While the substantive mission of Kehilat Sha'ar is another question for the Jewish community at Brandeis, and perhaps a topic for an additional article in the Justice, that necessary question was not posed to the relevant Jewish community in this article. The author failed to provide any insight as to how Kehilat Sha'ar interacts with the wider Brandeis Jewish community, including no input from the leaders of the other denominational groups. For example, the author's comment that the current Jewish religious groups at Brandeis "are just that-only services, with no events directly corresponding," is completely inaccurate: each of the main religious groups under the Hillel umbrella-Brandeis Reform Chavurah, Brandeis Orthodox Organization, Brandeis University Conservative Organization and Brandeis Reconstructionist Organization-hosts a wide variety of social, educational and social-action events specifically intended to foster community. The fact that the author failed to mention these groups gives a false impression about the lack of vibrant religious communities existing within Hillel. Secondly, the author notes that there is an inherent relationship between Sha'ar and Hillel at Brandeis, but failed to further uncover that this dynamic may actually be somewhat strained from the other perspective. Lastly, the author notes that "Kehilat Sha'ar is open to anyone on campus," implying that the existing communities aren't open to the wider campus community. An article about such a presently controversial topic within the Brandeis Jewish community must voice more than one perspective. A well-balanced article includes more opinions than simply interviewing the founders of one group, especially when its existence continues to be a contentious subject for many others involved in Jewish religious groups on campus. -Naomi Weinblatt '16 Both Hillel and Chabad fill the void In response to your article "Uniting religious segments" (Nov. 5): How are they any different? Chabad and Hillel are both welcoming to all members of the community. As an alum I am interested in hearing how this group has somehow created a community with lower "barriers to entry" than Hillel and Chabad, which already welcome everyone. I remember my time at Hillel as inclusive and loving. I don't see how this helps to bring the greater Jewish community on campus any closer. -Paul Garvey '07
(11/12/13 5:00am)
There is no question that the health services on campus need to be reformed. I've personally experienced confusion about hours, how to set up an appointment or how I was supposed to pay for services at the various centers on campus. It's a very positive first step that the University has taken the initiative to investigate the flaws in health services and suggest solutions. However, despite the promised improvements, I remain wary about the mental health and psychological counseling resources. Perhaps my view on the mental health services is biased, as I have not had great experiences with the Psychological Counseling Center. During first year orientation, I went to the PCC to make an appointment with a therapist. The receptionist was friendly but was unable to answer basic questions, like how insurance would cover sessions or when was the earliest a therapist could meet with me on a regular basis. Although I did eventually meet with a counselor, I ultimately decided to see a therapist in Newton, Mass., even though it requires taking a cab both ways and having to squeeze visits in between classes. It simply was less stressful to go to Newton than to use services on campus. My experience at the PCC may have been a one-time lapse on behalf of the center, but according to the report on health services released by the University last week, other students, both graduate and undergraduate, have struggled to get the mental health services they need for a variety of reasons, ranging from waiting times to lack of clarity about payments. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than one in four Americans over the age of 18 has some sort of mental disorder, and of those affected, nearly 45 percent have multiple disorders. Mental disorders are just as common as other disorders like asthma, but they are often misunderstood or ignored. There still remains a stigma around mental disorders, be it dyslexia, anxiety and depression issues or more serious illnesses like schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress disorder. The NIMH also states that on average, many mental disorders, like anxiety, depression and panic disorders, first start to show symptoms when an individual is in their late teens or early 20's. Because of this fact, it is even more important that colleges and universities like Brandeis make sure students have adequate resources. Hopefully, in the wake of this revealing University report, mental health services will be more accessible and students will have all the information they need without confusion or having to go to multiple sources. From experience, it is incredibly stressful to be a new student, away from home for the first time, and not be able to figure out how to see a counselor. But the problems with the PCC go beyond organizational challenges. While there are currently a number of people who work at the PCC, including 20 psychologists and social workers, three psychiatrists and six unpaid interns, a majority of these positions are part time, according to the University's report. The PCC is open between 9 AM and 6 PM according to the website and runs an answering service for non-emergency cases, but there is no sort of round-the-clock therapist for students. Life-threatening emergencies are referred to the Brandeis Police, according to the website. Here's the thing. If you need counseling or have a mental disorder, you don't always operate on a schedule. You can't decide to wait until the next day, when a therapist is in the office, to have suicidal thoughts or a panic attack. If someone is not in a good mental state, they need help, and fast. An answering service is great if you need to set up an appointment, but a pre-recorded message can't help you if you need psychological help at that moment for whatever reason. Parents, friends and community advisors are always resources, but there are situations where they simply aren't enough and a student would need something more. Although it would be more expensive, some sort of round the clock resource, either professional or student-run, would be preferable. While Students Talking About Relationships and the Brandeis Counseling and Rape Hotline, both of which are student-run, both exist as resources for students, they aren't available 24/7 and aren't staffed by professionals. If someone needs serious help, it isn't that helpful if the number they call is an answering machine. While having peer resources are important, sometimes a person in the midst of an episode needs professional help or might not feel comfortable talking to a fellow student. Perhaps the PCC can keep their answering service, but also have a way of directing students to practices or hospitals that do have therapists on call at all hours. Or they could partner more closely with groups like STAR and he counseling hotline so that they always have a trained, adult professional on hand. I'm sure I sound pessimistic about the state of mental health services at Brandeis, and partially, it is because I've been frustrated in the past. However, I am hopeful that things can and will change, and the PCC will be a more accessible resource for students in the future.
(11/12/13 5:00am)
There is no question that the health services on campus need to be reformed. I've personally experienced confusion about hours, how to set up an appointment or how I was supposed to pay for services at the various centers on campus. It's a very positive first step that the University has taken the initiative to investigate the flaws in health services and suggest solutions. However, despite the promised improvements, I remain wary about the mental health and psychological counseling resources. Perhaps my view on the mental health services is biased, as I have not had great experiences with the Psychological Counseling Center. During first year orientation, I went to the PCC to make an appointment with a therapist. The receptionist was friendly but was unable to answer basic questions, like how insurance would cover sessions or when was the earliest a therapist could meet with me on a regular basis. Although I did eventually meet with a counselor, I ultimately decided to see a therapist in Newton, Mass., even though it requires taking a cab both ways and having to squeeze visits in between classes. It simply was less stressful to go to Newton than to use services on campus. My experience at the PCC may have been a one-time lapse on behalf of the center, but according to the report on health services released by the University last week, other students, both graduate and undergraduate, have struggled to get the mental health services they need for a variety of reasons, ranging from waiting times to lack of clarity about payments. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than one in four Americans over the age of 18 has some sort of mental disorder, and of those affected, nearly 45 percent have multiple disorders. Mental disorders are just as common as other disorders like asthma, but they are often misunderstood or ignored. There still remains a stigma around mental disorders, be it dyslexia, anxiety and depression issues or more serious illnesses like schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress disorder. The NIMH also states that on average, many mental disorders, like anxiety, depression and panic disorders, first start to show symptoms when an individual is in their late teens or early 20's. Because of this fact, it is even more important that colleges and universities like Brandeis make sure students have adequate resources. Hopefully, in the wake of this revealing University report, mental health services will be more accessible and students will have all the information they need without confusion or having to go to multiple sources. From experience, it is incredibly stressful to be a new student, away from home for the first time, and not be able to figure out how to see a counselor. But the problems with the PCC go beyond organizational challenges. While there are currently a number of people who work at the PCC, including 20 psychologists and social workers, three psychiatrists and six unpaid interns, a majority of these positions are part time, according to the University's report. The PCC is open between 9 AM and 6 PM according to the website and runs an answering service for non-emergency cases, but there is no sort of round-the-clock therapist for students. Life-threatening emergencies are referred to the Brandeis Police, according to the website. Here's the thing. If you need counseling or have a mental disorder, you don't always operate on a schedule. You can't decide to wait until the next day, when a therapist is in the office, to have suicidal thoughts or a panic attack. If someone is not in a good mental state, they need help, and fast. An answering service is great if you need to set up an appointment, but a pre-recorded message can't help you if you need psychological help at that moment for whatever reason. Parents, friends and community advisors are always resources, but there are situations where they simply aren't enough and a student would need something more. Although it would be more expensive, some sort of round the clock resource, either professional or student-run, would be preferable. While Students Talking About Relationships and the Brandeis Counseling and Rape Hotline, both of which are student-run, both exist as resources for students, they aren't available 24/7 and aren't staffed by professionals. If someone needs serious help, it isn't that helpful if the number they call is an answering machine. While having peer resources are important, sometimes a person in the midst of an episode needs professional help or might not feel comfortable talking to a fellow student. Perhaps the PCC can keep their answering service, but also have a way of directing students to practices or hospitals that do have therapists on call at all hours. Or they could partner more closely with groups like STAR and he counseling hotline so that they always have a trained, adult professional on hand. I'm sure I sound pessimistic about the state of mental health services at Brandeis, and partially, it is because I've been frustrated in the past. However, I am hopeful that things can and will change, and the PCC will be a more accessible resource for students in the future.
(11/12/13 5:00am)
There is no question that the health services on campus need to be reformed. I've personally experienced confusion about hours, how to set up an appointment or how I was supposed to pay for services at the various centers on campus. It's a very positive first step that the University has taken the initiative to investigate the flaws in health services and suggest solutions. However, despite the promised improvements, I remain wary about the mental health and psychological counseling resources. Perhaps my view on the mental health services is biased, as I have not had great experiences with the Psychological Counseling Center. During first year orientation, I went to the PCC to make an appointment with a therapist. The receptionist was friendly but was unable to answer basic questions, like how insurance would cover sessions or when was the earliest a therapist could meet with me on a regular basis. Although I did eventually meet with a counselor, I ultimately decided to see a therapist in Newton, Mass., even though it requires taking a cab both ways and having to squeeze visits in between classes. It simply was less stressful to go to Newton than to use services on campus. My experience at the PCC may have been a one-time lapse on behalf of the center, but according to the report on health services released by the University last week, other students, both graduate and undergraduate, have struggled to get the mental health services they need for a variety of reasons, ranging from waiting times to lack of clarity about payments. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than one in four Americans over the age of 18 has some sort of mental disorder, and of those affected, nearly 45 percent have multiple disorders. Mental disorders are just as common as other disorders like asthma, but they are often misunderstood or ignored. There still remains a stigma around mental disorders, be it dyslexia, anxiety and depression issues or more serious illnesses like schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress disorder. The NIMH also states that on average, many mental disorders, like anxiety, depression and panic disorders, first start to show symptoms when an individual is in their late teens or early 20's. Because of this fact, it is even more important that colleges and universities like Brandeis make sure students have adequate resources. Hopefully, in the wake of this revealing University report, mental health services will be more accessible and students will have all the information they need without confusion or having to go to multiple sources. From experience, it is incredibly stressful to be a new student, away from home for the first time, and not be able to figure out how to see a counselor. But the problems with the PCC go beyond organizational challenges. While there are currently a number of people who work at the PCC, including 20 psychologists and social workers, three psychiatrists and six unpaid interns, a majority of these positions are part time, according to the University's report. The PCC is open between 9 AM and 6 PM according to the website and runs an answering service for non-emergency cases, but there is no sort of round-the-clock therapist for students. Life-threatening emergencies are referred to the Brandeis Police, according to the website. Here's the thing. If you need counseling or have a mental disorder, you don't always operate on a schedule. You can't decide to wait until the next day, when a therapist is in the office, to have suicidal thoughts or a panic attack. If someone is not in a good mental state, they need help, and fast. An answering service is great if you need to set up an appointment, but a pre-recorded message can't help you if you need psychological help at that moment for whatever reason. Parents, friends and community advisors are always resources, but there are situations where they simply aren't enough and a student would need something more. Although it would be more expensive, some sort of round the clock resource, either professional or student-run, would be preferable. While Students Talking About Relationships and the Brandeis Counseling and Rape Hotline, both of which are student-run, both exist as resources for students, they aren't available 24/7 and aren't staffed by professionals. If someone needs serious help, it isn't that helpful if the number they call is an answering machine. While having peer resources are important, sometimes a person in the midst of an episode needs professional help or might not feel comfortable talking to a fellow student. Perhaps the PCC can keep their answering service, but also have a way of directing students to practices or hospitals that do have therapists on call at all hours. Or they could partner more closely with groups like STAR and he counseling hotline so that they always have a trained, adult professional on hand. I'm sure I sound pessimistic about the state of mental health services at Brandeis, and partially, it is because I've been frustrated in the past. However, I am hopeful that things can and will change, and the PCC will be a more accessible resource for students in the future.
(11/12/13 5:00am)
The men's and women's swimming and diving teams both traveled to Worcester Polytechnic Institute this Saturday-the men taking on both WPI and Babson and the women taking on WPI, Babson, and Smith College. Even though both squads were defeated by significant margins, Brian Luk '16 had a positive outlook on the day; the closest margin of defeat for either team was 83 points. "We learned that it is a process toward success when it comes to [University Athletic Association]," he said. "We look back and think about how we can improve in our races in hindsight, which can be extremely important to us individually or as a team later as the season goes on." For the men, both Luk and Max Fabian '15 continue to be bright spots for a team that has had trouble finding early season success. Luk managed to pick up wins in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle, while breaking his previous best time in the 200-yard freestyle. Luk swam the race in 1:46.45, a full 1.63 seconds faster than his previous best time. He also managed to score second in the 50-yard freestyle, getting out-touched by WPI freshman Erick Burgwardt by .02 seconds. This marks the second time on the season that Luk has finished second in the 50-yard freestyle. Luk was quick to share his optimism of the first-years on the team. "I am impressed by the first-years," he said. "They are all very talented. They work hard every day, and I am sure they will do very well when it comes to UAA [Championships] by February," Fabian added a win of his own for the men in the 1000-yard freestyle with a time of 10:12.12. He also secured two second place finishes in the 500-yard freestyle and the 400-yard Individual Medley. Fabian was bested in the 500-yard freestyle by just .15 seconds by Babson senior Isaac Breen-Franklin who pulled off an impressive display in the final 50-yard stretch of the race when he managed to overtake Fabian. The 500-yard freestyle was emblematic of both the men's and women's struggles on the day. Joanna Murphy '17 was the lone bright spot for the women on Saturday as she managed to pick up a win in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:02.57, just barely beating out WPI senior Sonja Kent, who had led for the first 100 yards of the race. Murphy also managed to place third in the 200-yard butterfly while setting a personal best on the season with a time of 2:23.45. She also finished in fifth place in the 100-yard butterfly. Other top-five finishes by the women included Theresa Gaffney '16 in the 1000-yard freestyle, Fallon Bushee '16 in the 100-yard freestyle, and Gabby Drillich '15 in the 200-yard backstroke and 400-yard individual medley . Murphy and Luk are the young future that the swimming program has been looking for. The program has had trouble trying to grow in numbers over the past few years and in attracting talent to the small yet dedicated group. The process has been difficult after the closing of the pool in the Joseph M. Linsey Sports Center forced the aquatics teams to be put on hiatus after the 2009 to 2010 season. Head coach Mike Kotch was hired in 2011 and tasked with rebuilding the program. While the performance in the pool is what the team focuses on week in and week out, it can be difficult when recruitment continues to be a major issue going forward for both of the teams. Luk thought that the team did well when it came to the aspects that the team could control. "I don't see any major problem that the team has in general," he explained. "We are all training very hard and this meet, along with any other meets going forward, are opportunities for everyone to practice racing and preparing for the UAA championship meet." Both the men's and women's teams will try to get their first wins of the season when they host Wesleyan University on November 16th in the Linsey Pool.
(11/12/13 5:00am)
The men's and women's swimming and diving teams both traveled to Worcester Polytechnic Institute this Saturday-the men taking on both WPI and Babson and the women taking on WPI, Babson, and Smith College. Even though both squads were defeated by significant margins, Brian Luk '16 had a positive outlook on the day; the closest margin of defeat for either team was 83 points. "We learned that it is a process toward success when it comes to [University Athletic Association]," he said. "We look back and think about how we can improve in our races in hindsight, which can be extremely important to us individually or as a team later as the season goes on." For the men, both Luk and Max Fabian '15 continue to be bright spots for a team that has had trouble finding early season success. Luk managed to pick up wins in the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle, while breaking his previous best time in the 200-yard freestyle. Luk swam the race in 1:46.45, a full 1.63 seconds faster than his previous best time. He also managed to score second in the 50-yard freestyle, getting out-touched by WPI freshman Erick Burgwardt by .02 seconds. This marks the second time on the season that Luk has finished second in the 50-yard freestyle. Luk was quick to share his optimism of the first-years on the team. "I am impressed by the first-years," he said. "They are all very talented. They work hard every day, and I am sure they will do very well when it comes to UAA [Championships] by February," Fabian added a win of his own for the men in the 1000-yard freestyle with a time of 10:12.12. He also secured two second place finishes in the 500-yard freestyle and the 400-yard Individual Medley. Fabian was bested in the 500-yard freestyle by just .15 seconds by Babson senior Isaac Breen-Franklin who pulled off an impressive display in the final 50-yard stretch of the race when he managed to overtake Fabian. The 500-yard freestyle was emblematic of both the men's and women's struggles on the day. Joanna Murphy '17 was the lone bright spot for the women on Saturday as she managed to pick up a win in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:02.57, just barely beating out WPI senior Sonja Kent, who had led for the first 100 yards of the race. Murphy also managed to place third in the 200-yard butterfly while setting a personal best on the season with a time of 2:23.45. She also finished in fifth place in the 100-yard butterfly. Other top-five finishes by the women included Theresa Gaffney '16 in the 1000-yard freestyle, Fallon Bushee '16 in the 100-yard freestyle, and Gabby Drillich '15 in the 200-yard backstroke and 400-yard individual medley . Murphy and Luk are the young future that the swimming program has been looking for. The program has had trouble trying to grow in numbers over the past few years and in attracting talent to the small yet dedicated group. The process has been difficult after the closing of the pool in the Joseph M. Linsey Sports Center forced the aquatics teams to be put on hiatus after the 2009 to 2010 season. Head coach Mike Kotch was hired in 2011 and tasked with rebuilding the program. While the performance in the pool is what the team focuses on week in and week out, it can be difficult when recruitment continues to be a major issue going forward for both of the teams. Luk thought that the team did well when it came to the aspects that the team could control. "I don't see any major problem that the team has in general," he explained. "We are all training very hard and this meet, along with any other meets going forward, are opportunities for everyone to practice racing and preparing for the UAA championship meet." Both the men's and women's teams will try to get their first wins of the season when they host Wesleyan University on November 16th in the Linsey Pool.
(11/05/13 5:00am)
JustArts sat down with Samantha Gordon '14 and Nicole Carlson '14 to talk about their senior project, a production of the play Matt and Ben, which will be showing this weekend. JustArts: Would you tell us a bit about how you chose Matt and Ben to be your senior project? Nicole Carlson: I looked through two-woman shows, and all of the sudden I found this one, and I was like, "Oh my god, Mindy Kaling wrote this! Oh my god, it's about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck! Oh my god, it's girls playing Matt Damon and Ben Affleck!" So I sent that information to Sam. Samantha Gordon: And I was abroad when this was happening. I read the scripts and I really liked Matt and Ben the most. JA: For those who are unfamiliar, would you give us a brief synopsis of the play? SG: It's basically Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, pre-fame, in the late 1990's, in Somerville, Mass. And the script of Good Will Hunting just falls into their laps. It's this sort of fantasy take on them writing this script, and instead of them actually writing it, they just get handed it, and [the rest is] what happens and how their friendship is affected by it. NC: And then they go through a re-hashing of their friendship in high school, up to this point, and what they want to do with the script. JA: So how long have you guys been working on this project and what has that process been like for you? SG: We've been working on it since like April. We had to apply to the [Theater] department ... and we wanted it to count for a class, so we had to go through that whole process. NC: We were memorizing, looking at the script over the summer. ... Our first read-throughs and table reads were over Skype. ... We've really had it on its feet since the beginning of October, and the rest of that has really just been building our relationship. We're playing these two people who really are best friends and know everything about each other and have had years of experience together ... Before this process, we weren't incredibly close, but now she's one of my best friends. JA: Are there any other challenges in bringing the production to the stage that you've faced? SG: Finding pants for me as Matt Damon was very trying. I usually cry when I have to put on pants. NC: What's going to stress me out right now ... is fitting people in our room. We really can't do it on a stage. SG: We perform so much better in front of people, we interact with the audience a lot, too. NC: We wanted it to be really intimate, like you're hanging out with us in our apartment, because that's what it is. This is my post-college apartment. SG: Memorizing was really difficult. For the two of us to memorize each half the show, and then a lot of her lines are just little words, and a lot of my lines are big monologues. JA: Are you hoping to continue to stay active in theater after graduation? SG: That's a difficult question, because you're talking to two people who are going into different fields than theater, but two people who love theater. I do improv also, so I know I'll definitely be involved. NC: I am probably going to graduate and be an elementary school teacher, and I would really like to either be the elementary school teacher who runs the drama program, or if a school has an elementary school drama teacher, I would love to be that person. JA: What do you hope your audiences will take away from the play? SG: I hope they'll be grateful for their friends and have had a fun time laughing for an hour. - Rachel Hughes
(11/05/13 5:00am)
A recent study published by Lancet Global Health found that out of the 850 new drugs and vaccines approved in the last 12 years, only four percent were for one of the 49 "neglected" diseases. Neglected diseases are those such as tuberculosis and malaria, as well as other obscure ailments that specifically impact poor, developing regions of the world. Why do you believe minimal attention is paid to these neglected diseases and how should the medical community address this statistic? Prof. Donald S. Shepard (Heller) The recent paper in Lancet Global Health pointed out that only four percent of registered clinical trials were related to neglected tropical diseasees. This limited share largely reflects the fact that clinical development of drugs and vaccines, including expensive field testing, is largely funded by the pharmaceutical industry. With some exceptions, that industry seeks profit, which generally means developing products that promise high sales in high-income countries. To interpret the findings, it is worth recalling that clinical trials are but one component of a cycle that includes basic research, clinical trials, operations research and financing and support for implementaiton. Donor agencies, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation or the World Bank, fund technical support and incentives. This support contributed to the fact that the share for neglected tropical diseases, while small, has quadrupled since a comparable study a decade ago. Donald S. Shepard is a Professor at the Schneider Institutes for Health Policy at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Flora Wang '15 The neglected or orphan diseases of society are often overlooked for more profitable research industries such as makeup or accessory medication like Viagra. Although diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria have greater implications for human mortality, they often affect more third-world countries because of the poor living conditions that are conducive to these diseases. In order to correct this social injustice, large research companies must be incentivized to focus on these diseases with financial incentives such as subsidies from the government or other interested parties. In addition, there should be more public awareness campaigns to have more individuals become incentivized to care about these diseases to raise money for further research. With increased incentives for better venture capital investments, legislation and collaboration between different industries with a better culture of sharing information, these diseases will surely have the medical breakthrough we have hoped for. Flora Wang '15 is a double major in Biochemistry and Health: Science, Society and Policy. Bharvi Marsha Patel '14 In the modern society efficiency dictates many of our actions. In the health care field for example, diseases that can be cured, contained and even eradicated with minimal efforts are the ones to get attention and funds. The reason that such minimal attention is given to neglected diseases is because these diseases are most prevalent in communities that have low resources, political turmoil and little access to health care. Investing money in finding vaccines for these diseases will not be efficient even if such vaccinations are created because the implementation of the medication proves to be a bigger struggle. On the other hand, developed countries have already controlled these diseases and can afford to invest in rare conditions because they have the resources and the means to provide access to the vaccinations. The medical community needs to work better to collaborate with different sectors within these developing countries to ensure that political, transportation and cultural barriers do not hinder combatting neglected diseases. Bharvi Patel '14 is the chair of the Brandeis Global Brigades. Michael Kahnowitz '14 I am not surprised by this statistic at all. Massachusetts has experienced a resurgence of these "neglected" diseases like Tuberculosis and Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus. In fact last year there was a reported TB case on the Brandeis campus! Last sumer I visited the Massachusetts State House to educate lawmakers about these increased occurrences and to inform them of the potentially significant harm they could cause to a community. Most legislators were unaware of these public health hazards because until recently, the infections were relatively non-existent. While that is a testament to how successful we have been in combating various infections, we are not immune and should not relent on fighting these diseases. Contacting lawmakers about these issues is an incredibly good way to support the institutions that combat these ailments, such as the Hinton State Laboratory Institute, which is responsible for monitoring the frequency of various infectious diseases like TB, EEE, rabies and HIV. Michael Kahnowitz is currently enrolled in the dual HSSP-MPP graduate program at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management.
(11/05/13 5:00am)
Last Wednesday, almost 90 students attended "The Tradition of Innovation in Orthodox Judaism" to hear Rabbi Asher Lopatin speak about the integration of openness into Modern Orthodoxy. The president of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School, a Modern and Open Orthodox rabbinical school in New York, Lopatin is a prominent figure in the Jewish Orthodox community who advocates in favor of a forward-thinking form of Modern Orthodoxy called Open Orthodoxy. In explaining the foundation for such beliefs, Lopatin first described the struggle that Modern Orthodox Jews (and Jews of many other sects) face as they grapple with the question of how to understand the Torah, the words of which can be taken literally or understood figuratively. Lopatin said that "everything is open to interpretation." "The core of Modern Open Orthodoxy is that you're always open to people asking questions and changing the status quo," said Lopatin. The balance Lopatin described is between having "a sense of reverence for the Torah and the sense of humility that we are only human beings and we're ... never going to get it right, but we're trying to get as close as we can." To illustrate the foundation on which Modern Open Orthodoxy is built, Lopatin organizes the core ideas into the "Five Pillars of Orthodox Judaism or Open Charedism." These five pillars are as follows: "Torah Mi'Sinai," "Chidush Mi'Sinai," "Halakhic Rigor and Discipline," "Klal Yisrael" and "Menchlichkeit and Kiddush Hashem: Always Asking Yourself, Am I acting Like a Mensch?" "Torah Mi'Sinai" (Torah from Sinai) is the "awe of the Torah and Talmud coming from God, being infinite and deserving infinite reverence," Lopatin said. In essence, this is a sense of humbleness that venerates the Torah as something divine and worthy of worship. "Chidush Mi'Sinai" (innovation from Sinai) are the varying interpretations that can arise once the first pillar of reverence is adopted. According to Lopatin, "New understandings and innovative interpretations come if you really believe Torah is divine and infinite and, thus, can be interpreted in an infinite amount of ways." "Halakhic Rigor and Discipline" is the will to first preserve the Torah and its practices, before anything else. Lopatin said that this secure commitment to the Torah's practices ensures a "safe space for God's infinite word." "Klal Yisrael," or inclusivity, is respect for Israel, the Torah and God. It is the connection to every other Jewish person. "Menchlichkeit and Kiddush Hashem" is the basic belief that one should have respect, not only for the Jewish people, but for all of God's creatures. This belief functions on the concept that we are all created in God's image, and therefore we must respect others since we too contain God within us. Furthermore, Lopatin said that all humans are extensions of God, and therefore, must be treated kindly. Lopatin made a few final points about the meaning of the word "open" in "Open Modern Orthodoxy," saying that, "if we want to understand Torah, we have to open up." In congruence with this view, new people and new ideas are always welcome, and encouraged, said Lopatin. He continued to say that it is imperative for members of the Modern Orthodox community to go out into the world with the values in the Torah and make a difference, especially in places where people are in need of help. President of Brandeis Orthodox Organization Ethan Stein '15 said in an interview with the Justice that he chose Lopatin as this year's speaker because of the partnering views of Lopatin and the ideals at Brandeis. "All of the points [Lopatin] made are not specific to Orthodoxy. In order to create a strong, thriving community, we all have to be dignified and role models," said Stein. "We should not turn away others whose views do not always align with our ideals ... turning people away because of their differences defeats the whole purpose of Judaism ... of being welcoming." Abbie Denemark '16, who attended the event, said in an interview with the Justice that she enjoyed hearing Lopatin speak and that a lot of what he said were things that she had formerly thought but struggled to articulate. She said she thought Lopatin represented Orthodoxy well, especially for those who might not have a background in it.
(10/29/13 4:00am)
Why do we go to college? If I were to ask someone that nowadays, they would probably look at me as if I were unlearned and respond, "Why wouldn't we go to college?" The benefits of college have become such deep seated truths for many of us that we've stopped questioning them. We're told college is an investment. We borrow large sums of money now to make larger sums of money later. We're told college is formative. We leave more intellectual and responsible; we are the saving generation. But are these assertions really true? And what are the implications if they are not? The whole investment argument is founded in receiving a degree. I think most of us agree that what's actually important is what you learn in school, not a piece of paper saying you learned. But the degree unfortunately holds a lot of weight. With today's online resources, you could teach yourself any subject just as well as any undergraduate might learn in school, but still be at a competitive disadvantage to them in the job market because you don't have a degree-a piece of paper. Consequently, the whole desire for a degree has become more driven by our survival instincts than anything else. We are told we will not be successful in this world or have economic security (stable food, shelter, attractive partner, etc.) without a degree and so we convince ourselves that we need one. Now, that argument isn't without its merits. According to a recent Huffington Post article, people with a college degree have half the unemployment rate of people with only a high school degree-though the article also points out that half of recent grads are working jobs that don't actually require a degree. Even with this distinction, the competitive advantage in gettin g jobs with a degree makes it economically worth it. The degree is not the only thing we go to college for though; college is also supposed to prepare us for the real world both in intellect and responsibility. In my two months of living here so far, I am feeling prepared intellectually. All of my classes are engaging and challenging, and I've even been given the resources to start my own club about creating Android Apps, which is what I want to do professionally. In terms of responsibility, however, I could not feel farther from prepared. I feel more disconnected from the world than ever. People cook my food, wash my dishes, clean my bathroom-the only responsibility I can try to claim is doing my own laundry. My family also cooked my food, washed my dishes and cleaned my bathroom for most of my life, but I still had to communicate with them and acknowledge them on a human level. I have yet to see anyone talk to, let alone thank, the guy who cleans my bathroom. Granted, I've only lived here two months, but I'm skeptical whether this actually changes later on in college. This one-sided service breeds a scary amount of selfishness and entitlement. I talk with my friends about how atrocious those gated communities in, say, Florida-bubbles of homogenous wealth and culture-are. But is a college campus all that different? We're separated from the rest of society; we're fairly politically homogenous; we're all around the same age; and we've convinced ourselves that we're the most in-tune with society that we'll ever be. We're choosing to exist in-and pay for-this bubble because we love it. We love being distant from the responsibilities of the real world. We love only having to focus on ourselves. We love being around other people who love those same things. The college degree alone might be worth the economic expenditure, but maybe the loans aren't the most crippling debt we accrue. We leave college entitled and expecting life to be served to us on a silver platter. The scariest part is that with our "top-tier" degrees, it probably will be. *
(10/29/13 4:00am)
Healthy and civil discussion needed In response to your article "Concept of social justice actually perpetuates societal injustice" (Oct. 22): In his 2010 commencement address at the University of Michigan, President [Barack] Obama noted the need for, "a basic level of civility in our public debate." He went on to say, "We can't expect to solve our problems if all we do is tear each other down. ... You can disagree with a certain policy without demonizing the person who espouses it. You can question somebody's views and their judgment without questioning their motives." At Brandeis, we take particular pride in fostering an atmosphere that supports discourse and debate. There will always be topics, how- ever, that we find particularly sensitive, especially when the views espoused challenge our community values or practices. These challenges are, perhaps, even more difficult to con- front with civility in an online environment. Both student newspapers recently published opinion columns that highlight such challenges. It's important to bear in mind that these sections of the paper are not considered areas of "reporting," they are meant to foster discussion. Editorial boards often select pieces for publication precisely because they raise questions, and give weight to opinions that may be in the extreme minority. This is one of the strengths of freedom of the press-that minority views can be reviewed and debated, even when they are not accepted, or possibly even acceptable, to large portions of a community. There is, of course, a careful balance that must be struck between protecting the expression of minority opinion and establishing guidelines for communication that is unacceptable to a community in any forum. I will leave the debate of the drawing of such lines to another day and focus instead on the response to columns that, while challenging our values, are clearly not crossing these boundaries. In reviewing responses, online and else- where, to the recent columns, I was dismayed to see our community seeming to stray from what most would consider civil discourse. Comments became unfortunately personal regarding the authors. I was saddened to read comments on both sides of discussions on each topic about not feeling safe and felt I needed to share how much those concerns trouble me. Brandeis first and foremost is a community of scholars. Please be respectful of one another, and remember that whatever our disagreements, we should strive to maintain civility in our discourse. I am proud to be part of this amazing family, and hope that we will all continue to work together to ensure that no one at Brandeis, student, faculty or staff member, should ever feel unsafe. -Andrew Flagel Andrew Flagel is the senior vice president for students and enrollment. Evaluate what should be published In response to your article "Concept of social justice actually perpetuates societal injustice" (Oct. 22): Twice this semester articles were written challenging the idea of diversity and the concept of social justice in attempts to advocate for the false rhetoric of "reverse racism" in which white people feel as though they are being discriminated against as people of color slowly begin to obtain basic human rights. Not only am I highly offended, but these articles had no facts to support their absurd claims and seemed more like students who are threatened by the implications made by "diversity" and "social justice," uplifting disadvantaged communities and making sure all humans have basic rights. I am appalled and disappointed that the Justice would allow these things to be published, and as an African-American female at Brandeis, I feel very uncomfortable existing here. I can't help but to think I am somehow a threat to privileged, cisgendered white males here. I have also felt very ashamed to be here and I cannot understand why. I am beginning to question the credibility of the Justice as a whole and wondering if the publishing of such absurdities is an attempt to fire up the student body and create drama. Either way, it is rather disgusting, and the Justice should review and refuse to publish such poorly crafted material, and also re-evaluate the content before distributing it. This newspaper represents all of us, and some are feeling left out. This is highly problematic and certainly tarnishes Brandeis' reputation. There is obviously a lack of diversity on the Justice editorial team, because, if there wasn't, such ludicrous and offensive material would not be printed. It's disgusting. -Khadijah Lynch '16
(10/29/13 4:00am)
This week, JustArts sat down with Travis Roy '16 who wrote a suite that was performed at Saturday's Compsers' Collective, put on by New Music Brandeis. JustArts: How did you get interested in composition and when did you start writing? Travis Roy: That's pretty hard to say actually. I guess I got started because I started off as a performer as you might expect. I started playing flute when I was 10 in fourth grade. And back then I really didn't think anything of it because that's just something everyone does when they're younger, but then people kind of dropped off and I stayed with it and I started to realize that music was my passion and my interest. So then I started to think more about the expressional mode of music so from learning theory ... I guess the next logical step was composition. It sort of helped me understand music and as I went along it sort of helped me understand myself. JA: On average, how long does it take you to write a piece? TR: I guess it depends on what you're going for and sort of what emotions are in that piece ... Because I think that there's sort of a spectrum. There's mechanical writing to a certain extent that's based on pure theory, and then there's this more emotional type of writing that's kind of intuitive. So it depends on that. This [piece that was played on Saturday], obviously there was a deadline and there were some formal expectations for what we were all doing because it was a class of us and we all had to have relatively the same assignment. So this one was like two or three weeks. JA: Can you tell us a little about your inspiration for the piece that was performed on Saturday night? TR: So basically the assignment was to take these four diverse forms; one was an ostinato, another was a chorale. There was a miniature and there was a re-harmonization of an existing melody. So I wanted to take those four forms that I had to work within and create a consistent thematic environment. I think it was tough to inject more of that intuitive type of composition into it but I probably did so subconsciously anyway. So I'm not sure about what emotions are in it and what the inspiration was as much. That one just kind of came out. It was really weird. I've never had that before. JA: Can you describe the experience of listening to your piece being played? TR: It wasn't the first time I had heard it played but it was still pretty emotional actually, surprisingly. Because seeing a performer putting so much of himself into it is pretty interesting. And then to hear what came out of you, [hearing] something I just had vaguely abstractly in my mind coming to life [was] a strange reality. JA: Did you work with Nate Schaffer '16 when he was practicing the piece? TR: Yes, we had a couple meetings. He helped me with some of the notational things because I'm not a pianist myself. I'm sort of just getting into that. So some of the challenges with the notations that I had, I fixed that. It was optimized for what he felt made sense. And then from there I helped him with interpretational things. JA: Can you tell us about your writing process? TR: I think the process is always different probably with every piece to a certain extent. And since I'm just starting out I haven't found a consistent process and I don't know if I will. But one thing that I've always done is that I think of a few adjectives that I wasn't to get across effectively and maybe a few forms or a vague outline of some harmonic structure that I think I want to work with. And then going from there it usually develops a mind of its own. JA: Do you plan to do a composition master's program or compose music professionally? TR: I'm not necessarily sure that I want to study composition any further because that's always been sort of an educational thing for me. I certainly am most passionate about music though so I might pursue composition or I might pursue education. -Emily Wishingrad
(10/29/13 4:00am)
On Monday, Oct. 21, New Jersey joined the other 14 states and the District of Columbia in recognizing legal, economic and social equality for same-sex couples by legalizing same-sex marriage. However, 14 states are not enough. Currently, 38 states legally define marriage as the union between a man and a woman, discriminating against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. Although the United States government does formally recognize marriage as the union of two consenting citizens, states are not required to recognize same-sex unions from other jurisdictions, which is a potential violation of Article IV of the United States Constitution. However, I am optimistic about the future of marriage equality in the United States. A poll conducted by The Washington Post and ABC News in March found that 58 percent of respondents support marriage equality. The same poll found that nearly a third of those who currently support marriage equality used to oppose it but had since changed their minds. Sixty five percent of younger voters, defined as those under the age of 30, support marriage equality-and that number is only growing. There are several states that are seemingly on the cusp of guaranteeing marriage equality to all their citizens. Legislation is currently making its way through the state house in Illinois, where Governor Pat Quinn has stated he will sign the bill. In Pennsylvania, groups of same-sex couples have sued for marriage equality and Attorney General Kathleen Kane has openly stated she will not defend the state's ban. But by far the most promising state, and the most interesting state, for marriage equality is New Mexico. New Mexico is the only state in the country to not have a specific statute regarding the legality of same-sex marriage. As a result of the lack of clarity, clerks on the county can determine if they give marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Currently, eight counties, representing nearly 60 percent of the New Mexico population, give out marriage licenses to same-sex couples. In addition, two cases, on opposing sides of the issue, are working through the state's court systems. One case, brought forth by Republican officials, would block clerks from giving same-sex couples marriage licenses. The other, more traditional case has been brought by a group of same-sex couples in the wake of the Supreme Court's Defense of Marraige Act ruling. Governor Susana Martinez, a Republican up for a tough re-election bid in 2014, has not stated her position on the issue. But, like the other states to recognize marriage equality, New Mexico is a more liberal state. These more progressive states will surely legalize same-sex marriage on their own volition. Other more conservative states will not. There are those who say same-sex marriage should be a state issue, and I vehemently disagree. All one has to do is look back to the American South before the Brown v. Board of Education decision or the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to see how some states choose to handle civil rights issues. While I'm not saying that the issue of marriage equality and civil rights are the same, there are certainly parallels. I do think it is troubling at best to assume that every single state, especially ones with a history of discriminating against certain minority groups, will willingly allow same-sex couples the same rights as straight couples. Not to name names or point fingers, but much of the South has not had a good record on civil rights issues, be it for racial or sexual minorities. Simply put, marriage is a civil rights issue, and history has shown that states cannot always be trusted to give civil rights to minority citizens. It is all well and good to say you support same-sex marriage being a state issue, as opposed to a federal mandate, but unless you support it at the national level, you are still advocating that states should have the opportunity to discriminate against those who are LGBTQ. This is where the problem lies. There's nothing wrong with states like California, New York, Vermont or Minnesota legalizing same-sex marriage; in fact, it is what's right. But what about couples who do not live in these states, who have jobs and homes and families in states that clearly are not going to legalize same-sex marriage? Or members of the armed forces, who may be in long-term relationships but cannot marry because of where they are stationed. Obviously, marriage equality is not the only issue facing the LGBTQ community, nor is it the most pressing issue. Look no further than violence and bullying, the high rates of homeless LGBTQ youth and legal discrimination against the trans communities in many states such as Texas, Illinois and Florida. However, marriage is an institution in the United States. Some say it is religious, others say it is historical or cultural-but I personally believe it goes beyond that. At its core, marriage is a declaration of love, of not imagining being with anyone else. Nobody should get different tax benefits, visitation or adoption and custody laws just because of who they love. It is not enough to watch liberal states legalize same-sex marriage while conservative states only make it harder for certain citizens. If we as a country truly value equality, and 58 percent of the country does, we should legalize same-sex marriage on a national level and give same-sex couples the same protections that any straight couple deeply in love enough to get married receive.
(10/29/13 4:00am)
Prof. Eve Marder '69 (BIOL), the Victor and Gwendolyn Beinfield Professor of Neuroscience and the head of the Division of Science, has been elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, according to an Oct. 21 BrandeisNOW press release. Marder was elected to the IOM on Oct. 1 as part of a cohort of 70 new members and 10 new foreign associates. She is the third Brandeis faculty to be elected to the Institute. Prof. Stuart Altman (Heller) was elected in 1996, and Prof. Emeritus Gregory Petsko (BCHM) was elected in 2001. Election to the institute is conducted by current members. Marder conducts research on the modulation of neural networks, using the nervous system of crustaceans such as lobsters and crabs as models. Her research has been recognized with her past elections to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and she served as the president of the Society for Neuroscience in 2008. Earlier this year, Marder won the 2013 Gruber Neuroscience Prize and was appointed to the scientific advisory board of the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative, a project launched by the Obama administration to enhance neuroscience research. In an email to the Justice, Marder commented on her election to the IOM. "It is a great honor," she wrote, "and I am appreciative of the respect of my peers that it signals." Marder also wrote that she does not expect her election to the IOM to impact her work on the advisory committee of the BRAIN Initiative. The IOM defines itself on its website as "an independent, nonprofit organization that works outside of government to provide unbiased and authoritative advice to decision makers and the public." The website further explains that "many of the studies that the IOM undertakes begin as specific mandates from Congress; still other are requested by federal agencies and independent organizations." -Phil Gallagher
(10/28/13 4:00am)
According to an Oct. 21 Washington Monthly article, Brandeis is the fourth-ranked university out of the top 50 from the U.S. News and World Report for percentage of undergraduate students entering public service over the last 10 years. According to the report, 28.2 percent of Brandeis alumni work for organizations such as government agencies, nonprofit organizations or public education after graduation. The study used data from career networking website LinkedIn. The article listed several factors considered important for inspiring students to enter public service, including creating a culture or tradition of service, providing co-curricular opportunities for service and helping students pay for internships or fellowships. "Our namesake, Louis Dembitz Brandeis, the distinguished associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, embodied in action the ideals of academic excellence and social justice," wrote Hiatt Career Center Director Andrea Dine in an email to the Justice. "Brandeis ... continues to strive for these ideals and therefore attracts students who are self-motivated, compassionate, and curious, and are open to exploring new experiences and embracing new challenges," she continued. Other New England schools are also high in the ranking, including Brown University at fifth and Yale University, ranked seventh. Dine also stated her belief that members of the Brandeis community feel strongly about bettering their surroundings. "It is their collective influence in the classroom, on campus, and in the community that helps students launch careers in public service," she wrote. Dine wrote that she believes the commitment of Brandeis students is not limited to public service careers. "I am confident that all of our graduates are committed to improving the world in which we live, no matter their professional path." -Sam Mintz
