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Forking Paths: Students and faculty discuss chance encounters that affected their lives

On Thursday, Sept. 11, History of Ideas faculty and students gathered in Rapaporte Treasure Hall for an annual panel featuring faculty and student speakers. This year’s discussion theme was centered around the idea that we live in a “garden of forking paths,” and speakers were prompted to discuss a chance encounter from their lives or fields of study that ended up having an enormous impact. The event was moderated by Professor David Katz (HIST), director of the History of Ideas program. 

Sincaraz: Greatest rivalry of all time?

Now that the U.S. Open has come to a close and new world rankings are being released, it's inevitable that tennis commentators will begin to make new predictions on the upcoming year as the world patiently awaits the next Grand Slam tournament — the Australian Open — in January. At the core of every discussion are the two players who have dominated the pro tour for the last two years, taking the last eight Grand Slams in a row. Amidst all the discourse surrounding Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, I believe that the two players have the potential to form the greatest sports rivalry of all time.

A look into Brandeis students’ experiences with intramural sports

Brandeis boasts a wide variety of intramural sports, ranging from traditional sports, such as tennis and volleyball, to more unique ones, such as IM poker and water battleship. There are approximately 30 intramural leagues and tournaments, all of which welcome Brandeis students, faculty and staff to participate. 

The 77th Emmy Awards: A celebration of (and frustration with) streaming, and records shattered

“Welcome to the 77th Emmy Awards. You know, it’s not a big one like 75 or 80, but it’s the one they gave me,” stated comedian Nate Bargatze, launching Sunday evening’s awards into motion. The presentations at this year’s Emmys certainly lived up to Bargatze’s description; nothing too big, splashy or potentially controversial, save for the occasional swear in an acceptance speech — thank you, John Oliver. The opening sketch was filled with noticeably self-aware commentary on how television has changed in recent years, including how streaming is “unfair to the consumer” — the character who says this is then promptly asked to leave — that many winning shows are never watched by the majority of people and how an Emmy is just not quite as good as an Oscar. However, that didn’t make the victories any less well earned, and here is a summary of the biggest wins.

Out of style

“A one stop shop.” This was the motto that Jeff Bezos sold to his employees when he launched Amazon. Companies and corporations at their cores are set up to sell products to consumers, and turn profits. However, when do we as people draw the line between overconsumption, and need-based consumption? And as consumers are we just as guilty of overconsumption, as the brands pushing us to a capitalistic limit? 

Governor Gore and his Waltham Estate

Along Main Street in Waltham, just a few miles past the center of the city, sits a house that doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the neighborhood. It’s large and made completely of brick. The windows on each side are symmetrical, adorned with white trim. The Federalist-style home surrounded by acres of land was perfectly suitable for the federalist that inhabited it: Christopher Gore.

The 2025 F1 rookies start their season

As the Formula One season is more than halfway done and the drivers have dusted off their helmets from the summer break, now is as good a time as ever to take a look at how all the rookies are doing after their first 16 races. 

Fear, courage and the sea

Despite having grown up fascinated with the sea, a budding patron of the water as a coastal Californian child, I have never been able to shake my innate fear of it.

Student Union swears in President and Vice President at State of the Union

On April 24, the Student Union held its annual State of the Union event in the Mandel Atrium. After delivering opening remarks, the former Student Union President Rani Balakrishna ’25 reviewed the Student Union’s accomplishments over the academic year. Before swearing in President-Elect Ria Escamilla Gil ’27 and Vice President-Elect Daniel Shin ’27, Balakrishna reviewed events the Student Union hosted, projects it sponsored, meetings held with faculty members and funding results from the Community Emergency Enhancement Fund and the Campus Sustainability Fund.

The Trump Administration's effect on the Univ.

On Feb. 1, the Trump Administration imposed a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on goods from China. Since then, President Donald Trump has continued to increase tariffs, having recently imposed a 145% tax on all Chinese imports. In retaliation to the administration's actions, China, the European Union and Canada have enacted their own tariffs: China began taxing American goods by 84% on April 10, Canada has matched the 25% tax on automobiles and the EU continues to develop plans on retaliation levies on $23 billion worth of U.S. goods. 

Soundproof call booths coming to library and student center

 Throughout the week of May 14, the University will be installing seven soundproof booths on campus, located between the Goldfarb Library and the Shapiro Campus Center. These soundproof booths will allow students to take private calls, interviews and meetings on a first-come, first-served basis, offering a convenient alternative to reserving rooms in advance. 

Brandeis’ own Zac Gondelman is chosen to be this year’s Truman Scholar

On March 28 Zac Gondelman ’26, was named a 2025 Truman Scholar. From a pool of 743 candidates, Gondelman was selected through a rigorous application process that involved recommendations from distinguished leaders to join the cohort of 54 students selected nationwide. He will be the 12th Brandeis student to receive this fellowship, and the second chosen in a row. Gondelman is pursuing a major in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, with minors in Politics and Religious Studies. He is currently studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

Roots with friends!

This past week, as Brandeis celebrated the 73rd year of the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts, campus was transformed into a venue for all forms of artistic expression with a captivating array of performances and events that swept through every corner. One of the defining features of Brandeis is the incredible faculty and their work. This shines through in performances and events that celebrate the creativity and talent of Brandeis staff, one of which is Music at Mandel’s Roots Music with Taylor Ackley and Friends.

Letter to the Editor — Matthew Rushton

To the Editor:

“Every Death from TB is a Choice”: Brandeis community members join U.S. lobbying day for tuberculosis awareness

 When many Americans think of tuberculosis, they imagine a disease of the past — a relic of the Victorian Era, long since relegated to history books. But for the students, professors and activists gathering in Washington, D.C. on April 8 and 9, the tuberculosis disease is a present and pressing global crisis. 

President Levine on plans to improve the University

 On Monday, March 31, Interim President Arthur Levine ’70 held a second town hall for undergraduates students in Rapaporte Treasure Hall, just over a month after the last meeting, to provide updates on the changes to the curriculum and address student concerns surrounding university ranking, immigration law enforcement, new on-campus housing, the cost of attendance and other updates.

March Madness 2025: one shining moment

Klein, unrelated: Bloc Cafe

Klein: Good morning, Klein, and welcome to Klein, unrelated. 

Notes to newcomers: Everything we learned

As the end of another academic year draws nearer, the members of this editorial board have been reflecting on the rhythms of college life; the exciting new beginnings, the inevitable mistakes and the subtle self-assurance that can only develop with time and patience. For those who are close to embarking on their college journey, it can be nearly impossible to know where to begin or what to expect. To help with this transition, we’ve accumulated advice from various members of this editorial board as they offer candid reflections on the lessons they’ve learned so far. Whether it’s navigating the ups-and-downs of new friendships, figuring out your major or simply finding your people, it is the hope of this board that these words can serve as a guide — and, most importantly, a reminder that no one has it all figured out, but we’re all learning alongside one another.

Reflections on 'Building Americana: A Conversation with Hugh Hayden'

On April 3, Brandeis University once again welcomed architect, artist and visionary Hugh Hayden to discuss his ongoing collection at The Rose Art Museum, “Hugh Hayden: Home Work.” Joined by Dr. Muna Güvenç (FA) and Dr. Gannit Ankori (FA), the co-curator of the exhibition, Hayden explored the inspiration behind his works and provided an inside look at how he “built Americana.”