(04/16/13 4:00am)
Last Thursday night in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center, 26 of the most attractive male Brandeisians strutted the catwalk, performed their talents and answered on-the-spot questions in the first-ever Mr. Brandeis Pageant. All proceeds from the event went to Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society. The turnout was huge-the crowd filled most of the Gosman bleachers. The event started off with all the contestants in a choreographed dance to The Weather Girls' "It's Raining Men," a move of pure genius on somebody's part. The contestants sported black shorts, button-down white shirts and ties-a comical combination of apparel that was both classy and sexy. The laughter, cheering and general noise from the onlookers was able to compete with the music, quite an impressive feat. After the opening number, the judges were introduced. The panel consisted of two Brandeis students, Clayton Campbell '13 and Mohamed Sidique '14; Brandeis alumna Amanda Kelly '08, named Miss Massachusetts in 2009; and the infamous Stephanie Grimes, director of Student Activities. The judges awarded each contestant a certain number of the 25 points for each event. Students could also participate in the decision by donating money to their favorite contestants. Each dollar donated to a contestant awarded him one point. The swimwear contest, probably the most anticipated event, came next. Each contestant walked out to the song of his choice while the two hosts read the contestant's statement about why he is involved with Relay for Life. However, the music and cheering were so loud that hosts were barely audible. Contestants accessorized with shower caps, boogie boards, turtle floatees and one contestant even came out playing a guitar. The formal wear came next, which gave the contestants an opportunity to strut their stuff in classy outfits. Some contestants got very creative with their suits and ties. David Alpert '16 walked out shirtless in a blazer and a bowtie and dropped his pants in the middle of the runway to revel, in a strictly PG-13 manner, his shorts underneath. While the contestants walked, the hosts announced the on-campus clubs in which they were involved, as well as some of their hobbies. After the two catwalk contests, it was time for the audience to vote. The event took a quick intermission so that the audience could donate to their favorite contestants. After the intermission, the final 10 contestants were announced. Only the final 10 could go on to perform their talents. Next came the talent portion. Some of the more memorable talents were Fred Berger '15 making a sandwich with his feet; Dillon Morris '14 playing the "Four Chords Song" on his guitar; and Yoni Sebag '13 making a chocolate cake while wearing a frilly pink apron. After the talent portion, there was another short intermission during which members of the audience could again vote for their favorite contestants by donating to their Relay fund. The contestants were narrowed down to five: Berger, Gustavo Lopes '15, Makalani Mack '16, Pat Seaward '13 and Sebag. These last five contestants then competed in possibly the most difficult challenge of all-answering on-the-spot questions. Some of the questions were about Relay for Life, such as: "How would you convince someone to join your Relay for Life team?" And, "If you could start a Relay for Life initiative, what would it be?" Other questions were comical such as: "Which Disney princess would you date?" Or, "If you could be any building on campus, what would it be?" At a particularly touching moment, Mack answered the question: "Define endless love" by pointing to his girlfriend in the audience. After another break to donate money to contestants, the winners were announced. Sebag won Mr. Congeniality and Seward was crowned pageant king. After the pageant, there was a live date auction in which all the contestants were raffled off. There were some interesting back-and-forth fights for contestants. Two female members of the audience engaged in a fight over Mack that was so intense it must have been planned and culminated only when the two bidders started counting up pennies. A coordinator of the event who would like to remain unnamed told me that they hope this will be an annual event to fund cancer prevention but with a couple changes, such as having the event in the Carl J. Shapiro Theater and planning performances during the small intermissions. The event was hilarious and extremely entertaining. The contestants were really good sports about all of the events, however embarrassing, and even seemed to be having a great time. I personally hope it will become a lasting Brandeis tradition.
(04/16/13 4:00am)
Congress is broken. It has become helplessly polarized, wallowing in partisan gridlock, virtually incapable of getting anything done. Or is it? Signs of productivity are beginning to show in the 113th Congress. The Senate has passed a budget for the first time in three years, and with a competing one being produced by the Obama Administration, the stage is set for a robust debate over the financial future of America. Further evidence of life is the recent bipartisan gun control plan from Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Pat Toomey (R-PA). Influential Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer (NY) has also agreed to support the plan, which will expand background checks to better prevent criminals and the mentally ill from acquiring firearms. But this is just one of many compromises that will need to take place if Congress is really going to start working again and get back to its true business: solving the problems of America. At the vanguard of such efforts is an organization Senator Manchin was recently named the honorary co-chair of: No Labels. Formed in 2010 by a coalition of Republicans, Democrats and Independents, No Labels seeks to bring together the millions of Americans who have lost faith in Congress to produce substantial, structural changes. I believe a major cause of this loss of faith is the lack of productivity from Congress. That in turn, I think, is caused by fear of many members of Congress to compromise with members of the opposing party because extremist factions in both parties are currently the most vocal groups. They intimidate members of Congress into toeing a strict party line lest they lose the support and financing of these unbending wings. This gets reduced into a political stalemate and no meaningful policy changes. This is where No Labels comes in: to change the conversation and show our representatives that reasonable Americans are the true majority in this nation. This will reassure our leaders that compromise and quality legislation are the best ways to public support and re-election. As a testament to the power of organizing this majority, this past February, No Labels had its first victory when a version of its "No Budget, No Pay" suggestion was signed into law as part of the debt ceiling compromise. The provision states that if Congress is unable to pass a budget for the next fiscal year (in this case, 2014), then Congress's pay will be withheld until an agreement is reached or the next session starts. The recent passage of a Senate budget illustrates the effectiveness of "No Budget, No Pay" as an incentive for Congress. No Labels also proposes a new policy that would set a 90-day limit in which the Senate must hold an up-or-down vote on a presidential nominee or he/she is automatically confirmed. This is to prevent a single Senator from holding up presidential nominations indefinitely. Since 2011, over 200 offices ranging from federal judgeships to key positions in the Treasury Department remain unfilled because there is no time limit on how long a Senator can delay the confirmation or rejection hearing for a presidential nominee. Another No Labels structural change in Congress is to allow a majority on any Congressional committee to override the committee chairman's decision not to move a bill to the full House or Senate to vote upon. This would empower coalitions of Congress members who support and have compromised on legislation, as they can now bypass any obstructionist chairmen. Other reforms include a monthly session in which the President would report to Congress to be asked questions directly from the legislature as well as a five day work week for Congress-members. This would require them to be in Washington DC for three full weeks out of the month and then get one week per month to return home to fundraise, meet with constituents, campaign, etc. In the status quo, our officials are free to leave D.C. whenever they choose, leading many to have 3-day workweeks where they travel on Mondays and Fridays, preventing comprehensive work from getting done. Perhaps the most promising feature about No Labels is how rapidly it has garnered support, both inside and away from the Beltway. Exactly 59 members of Congress have joined No Labels "Problem Solvers" coalition. These bold representatives are holding regular meetings to foster a spirit of bipartisanship, draft legislation together, and encourage compromise. In terms of external support, over 500,000 Americans have joined No Labels in some capacity, with over 1,300 attending the group's first national convention this past January in New York City. I myself attended and I was inspired by the show of support for compromise and the comprehensiveness and depth of No Labels's organizational and reform efforts. I see the ultimate goal of No Labels as producing a constituency of compromise. By uniting as many Americans as possible under a banner of inclusiveness and non-partisanship, we can motivate our elected representatives to take the bold actions necessary to fix Congress and America. By showing Congress that the extremes, both on the left and the right, are no longer the loudest or most organized voices; we can bring an end to the political stalemate this polarization of the body politic has produced. We can lift the gridlock paralyzing Congress and we can start moving our country forward again. *
(04/15/13 4:00am)
The Brandeis Haiti Initiative once again hosted Hoops for Haiti-a basketball game which pits University faculty against students-this past Sunday, and once again, the event proved to be both successful and wildly entertaining. The event raises money for Camp Empowering Through Education, a camp started by Brandeis alumna Shaina Gilbert '10 that works to educate nearly 100 Haitian children each summer and is staffed each year by current Brandeis students. Brandeis Haiti Initiative Co-President Amanda Dryer '13 explained that the event not only creates unity within the community by joining students and faculty members, but also highlights the importance the University places on social justice. Dryer explained that the event was purposely placed on Admitted Students Day as a way to tell the students "welcome to the family. This is what we do here." Given the amount of fun that the event proved to be for both spectators and participants this year, it appears that the event could become a staple in Admitted Students Days for many years to come. After going into the half down by five points, 25-20, coach Michael Coven led the faculty on the comeback trail during the second half, as the team stormed back to win 51-43 in a thrilling encounter. Coven, who had guaranteed a victory for his team before the match, was pleased with both the outcome of the game and the sentiment of the event, which is in its fourth year. "That's one of the things I love about Brandeis, that we are socially aware," he said. "It's a great cause." Basketball aside, a plethora of the individuals at the Red Auerbach Arena admired the Brandeis Haiti Initiative and that the event highlighted the University's commitment to social justice. "It's always great to come out and do a charity event. I've heard it's a great event, and I'm happy to take part," said men's basketball forward Ishmael Kalilou '15, who played for the student team. Kalilou was one of several members of the men's basketball team to take part in the event and, on a lighter note, said beforehand that he was looking to "take the game over" in response to Coven's guarantee of a faculty victory. Ultimately, Coven's guarantee proved to be merited, but the game wasn't short of drama. For quite some time, it appeared that it would be Kalilou's day. Once the game began, he drained back-to-back three-pointers that allowed the students to jump out to a 9-2 lead after the first five minutes. The faculty, however, responded with a 9-3 run of their own to cut the students' lead to one point with six minutes left in the first half. With both sides constantly changing players to give everyone a chance to play in the fun spirit of the event, it took time for each squad to develop a rhythm, and the first half drew to a close with the students leading 25-20. One of the bright spots for the faculty was Darryl David '08, who now works for the University in the Office of Student Activities. David, who had six points in the first half, knew that the key to the second half was to "just have fun." After the students pushed their lead to 29-26 with 15 minutes left in the second half, the faculty began clawing their way back with mid-range jumpers. They took the lead and never looked back with 6:09 remaining. David dribbled behind his back and converted a layup in traffic to give the faculty a 32-31 lead. That particular play proved to be crucial, as the faculty would not relinquish the lead after that point. The faculty pushed their lead as high as 10 points, which resulted in a 45-35 advantage with 3:05 remaining and survived a final push by the student team over the last three minutes that cut the lead to within six points at 47-41. However, the faculty team's abilities proved to be just too much for their student opponents, however, as they were able to cruise to the 51-43 victory. Despite the outcome of the game, participants on both sides were appreciative of the overall sentiment of Hoops for Haiti. "It's a beautiful thing to be part of. It's just a blessing," said David of the event. Senior Vice President for Administration Mark Collins, who coached the student team, was equally appreciative of the cause. "We all had a great time for a great cause, so I'm happy I was here," he said after the game. Coven joked afterwards that, while he has enjoyed his time coaching the men's soccer team, his time had come to move on to bigger and better things. "I want to thank Brandeis for the past 40 years, but I'm headed to the NBA right now," Coven said.
(04/09/13 4:00am)
College women are four times more likely to be raped than any other group. This statistic seems incredibly foreign to the Brandeis experience. I remember well being introduced to the Brandeis Counseling and Rape Crisis Hotline during orientation and thinking that it seemed like such a superfluous resource at a place like Brandeis. It's such a tiny campus and we never hear about rape, so it must not happen here. The sense of security that the Brandeis bubble gave me was shattered two years later when I joined the Student Conduct Board. During our trainings I learned that not only does rape happen at Brandeis, but also that it happens about as frequently as at other colleges. Since the 2008-2009 academic year, there have been five official Community Standards Reports (CSRs) of sexual misconduct to date. In addition to official CSRs of sexual misconduct, The Department of Student Rights and Community Standards (SRCS) also receives a number of disclosures of sexual misconduct, which can range from a detailed account from the survivor, who does not want to go forward with official proceedings, to a vague question from a third party, which does not specify who the perpetrator is or where the incident occurred. SRCS does not compile statistics on disclosures of sexual misconduct that do not advance to a CSR, however it is important to note that there is a larger quantity of unofficial disclosures. The fact that both reports and disclosures happen and that it is estimated that between 75 and 95 percent of sexual assaults go unreported suggest that with regard to sexual assault, Brandeis is just like every other college campus. With this knowledge in mind and with the knowledge that there are many survivors of sexual assault on our campus-whether or not they choose to identify themselves as such-I was nauseated to learn about our community's newest Facebook page, "Brandeis Hookups." The premise of "Brandeis Hookups" is that anyone can anonymously submit their "raunchiest, craziest Brandeis hookup story" to the page's administrators, who then supposedly vet the stories for content before posting them publicly on the page. Admittedly, I deactivated my own Facebook page at the beginning of March to better focus on my thesis, so I have been lucky enough to never lay eyes on the page. The idea that a public forum for sharing private sexual moments exists, however, makes me squirm. When I first heard about the page, my visceral reaction was an overwhelming sense of panic. What if someone decided that an unfortunate or uncomfortable experience they had shared with me would be appropriate fodder for the page? No one would ever know that the story was about me but that would not stop them from jeering and excitedly whispering about whatever humiliating detail someone decided to share about me. On the flip side, what if someone decided that an experience with me was an accomplishment they wanted to share so that they could get public approval for their "conquest?" Then a moment that I expected to remain private and personal has suddenly turned me into an object-a trophy to be put on display. Given my fears about my own consensual experiences, I cannot imagine the fears of someone who has had a sexual experience at Brandeis that was not so clearly consensual. To wake up one day, log onto Facebook, and see that a traumatizing and violating experience, which perhaps has not been fully processed, dealt with, or understood, has been publicly posted for the whole world to see has the potential to be just as traumatizing as the original experience itself. It is irrelevant whether or not a post was submitted by an actual perpetrator of an actual incident of sexual assault. If the details of any post are similar enough to someone's experience of a forced sexual contact, the traumatizing effects will be the same. Publicly displaying forced sexual experiences in this way is what survivors of rape and their advocates call a "trigger." What makes the triggering effects of the "Brandeis Hookups" page all the worse is the fact that people can and, as it seems, frequently do, comment on any post encouraging, condoning and applauding the sexual conquests of their peers. The potential bragging rights that any of my consensual partners have about their experiences with me are humiliating and objectifying, but those of a perpetrator of forced sexual contact are degrading, further traumatizing and incredibly perverse. Perhaps Brandeis is no different from any other college with respect to the incidence of sexual assault, but do we really have the kind of community where we applaud sexual assault when it happens as well? Unfortunately, the existence of a public page like "Brandeis Hookups" makes it seem like we do. Despite our ideas about our safety inside the Brandeis bubble, the fact of the matter is that we still live on a college campus, and women at Brandeis are still college women, who are, like all college women, four times more likely to be raped. Given that this statistic applies to us, we need to be more sensitive than anyone about the potential effects of the way we talk about sex. By allowing the "Brandeis Hookups" page to exist, we are denying the impact that our sexual discourse can have on survivors of sexual assault. Whether we actively participate in the page or tacitly support it by saying nothing against it, we are promoting and participating in the kind of culture that not only allows rape to happen, but also says that it is OK, and that the traumatizing experience of the survivor is not valid. The "Brandeis Hookups" page has shattered my perceptions of Brandeis once more. I want to believe that Brandeis is a safe, supportive and respectful environment, particularly for members of our community who may be survivors of sexual assault. As long as this page exists and is considered acceptable however, the safety and well-being of our community is compromised. *
(04/09/13 4:00am)
President Obama's new science initiative, Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies, will have a Brandeis touch as Prof. Eve Marder (BIOL) has been named to the advisory board of the initiative, according to an April 5 BrandeisNOW press release. She will join 13 other scientists who will form the "brain trust" to direct the project. "This is an extremely exciting time for neuroscience research," wrote Marder in an email to the Justice. "The new initiative is to foster development of technological innovation in support of understanding how the brain works." "I was pleased to be included in the delegation to the White House in support of the BRAIN initiative," she continued in her email. The initiative will research all levels of brain function, ranging from individual neurons to entire circuits, according to the press release. One of the goals of the initiative is to "provide insight into devastating diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and autism." The initial goal of the advisory board will be securing funding for the project to go forward. "As a member of the 14-person BRAIN working group for the [National Institutes of Health], I will be part of intensive discussions that will start very soon and will be designed [to] formulate some of the implementation of the funding plans for the NIH's part in the initiative," wrote Marder in her email. According to the press release, President Obama is planning to ask major scientific institutions such as the NIH, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the National Science Foundation for help with funding for the project. Brandeis is the smallest research university represented on the advisory board, according to the press release, joining Stanford University, Harvard University, Brown University, Princeton University and the California Institute of Technology. Marder, who has been a member of the Brandeis faculty since 1978, has a distinguished professional history, picking up numerous awards, prizes and recognitions, including the 2012 George A. Miller Prize in Cognitive Neuroscience and the 2012 Karl Spencer Lashley Award. She is also a Massachusetts Academy of Sciences Fellow. In the press release, Marder expressed unwavering enthusiasm about the potential of the project. "We're at a very interesting and exciting moment in neuroscience research right now because the technological innovations of the last decade have completely transformed the kinds of experiments we can do today," said Marder. "We couldn't even dream of these experiments 15 years ago." "Do I think new technologies will drive exciting new experiments?" she continued. "Absolutely. Will there be completely unanticipated breakthroughs in health? Absolutely."
(04/08/13 4:00am)
Cholmondeley's is usually a relatively mellow hangout spot where artsy music-lovers gather and crank up some tunes while sipping on vegan milkshakes. However, this past Friday night, the arrival of Ducktails, indie contingent Real Estate's Matt Mondanile's side project, turned the small venue into a bumping party house. Previously touring unaccompanied for his solo effort, Mondanile recently recruited keyboardist Dorian D'Angelo, Big Troubles' guitarist Alex Craig, drummer Sam Franklin and bassist Luka Usmani for onstage support. While the band set up for the show and hung out with the concertgoers in a wonderfully friendly fashion, D'Angelo informed me that, "Most of these guys have been playing together for a while. They all played on his [most recent] record, [The Flower Lane]." D'Angelo was asked to join as a replacement for Ian Drennan, who performed on the album. "I spoke to Matt a few times on the phone beforehand and was like 'Yeah, this is going to work out," D'Angelo concluded. Watching and listening to the quintet blast into its opening number, The Flower Lane's first track, "Ivy Covered House," it was hard to tell that this was a recent Ducktails incarnation and not a group that had been rocking together for years. The band's live renditions were both satisfactory representations of the album versions and possessed an added edge, supported by many extended jam intervals, as well as Franklin's powerful percussion grooves and rhythms. Mondanile sang in almost a whisper, which created an interesting, contrasting dynamic between the louder, harder music and his vocal performance. Despite the evident connection between the band members, Mondanile's control of the group was clear within the dynamic. His ability to lead the group while still interacting fantastically with the other musicians shined during what was perhaps the strongest number, "Under Control," the longest track on The Flower Lane by almost a minute. Though the tune stands as a mellow, yet trippy jam on the album, this third song was the hardest rocking, loudest blasting moment of the entire night, highlighted by Craig's raw guitar solo and Franklin's slamming drum fills. The band remarked on how full Chum's was by the end of the show; packed to the brim with a large, bouncing audience. After the concert, the party continued inside the venue, as the Chum's staff sustained the flow of dance tunes. I was able to speak to opening act, Monopoly Child Star Searchers, a.k.a Spencer Clark, for nearly an hour. He and Ducktails hung out with many audience members outside of Chum's and continued to chat, relax and have fun for several hours with some friends. As one might expect, one friend confessed to me his anti-corporate beliefs about society and government, which several members of Ducktails seemed to share, though much less strongly and passionately. Perhaps this type of interpretation was one that I am not necessarily accustomed to, hailing from the Upper West Side of New York City and attending a private collegiate institution. However, it was this attitude that dominated the 1960s and 1970s, an era during which rock 'n' roll music, in my opinion, thrived most prominently and magnificently. Thus, I welcomed his words. That being said, the concert wasn't just about the music for me, but about the overall vibe and community that was attracted to Chum's and the specific musicians who were playing there. The bands actively embraced the student population that swarmed their van after the show and had no issue talking politics, music, art and life for hours on end. That is cool-that's rock 'n' roll. It's not just about the music; it's about much more. It's about the lifestyle, which Ducktails certainly seemed to live up to.
(04/08/13 4:00am)
It is the first day of an Economics class at Brandeis University, and you find yourself sitting next to a boy of average height and light brown hair. Perhaps he's just another student, ready to hear a lecture from Prof. Michael Coiner (ECON) and his elaborate descriptions of supply and demand. Or, perhaps, he's a chess Grandmaster, one of the top players in the world and quickly improving. If the latter is true, chances are that boy is Sam Shankland '14, an Economics major. At the age of 21, Shankland has just been named the 29th Frank P. Samford, Jr. Chess Fellow, which entitles him to a $42,000 stipend awarded at the beginning of July with the sole intention of allowing him to make chess his first concern. Another $42,000 will be awarded in his second year of the fellowship when it is renewed. Shankland says the money will go toward hiring more coaches, each specified toward different aspects of his technique. Now that he's becoming more of an elite player, he says, "I understand my own game well enough that I can see its weaknesses, and I can hire specific people to target specific areas." As a Grandmaster, a prestigious title given to the top tournament players of the world, and the winner of the under-18 World Championship, Shankland's chess career is already impressive. A a native of Berkeley, Calif., he first was introduced to the chess at the age of nine when his father taught him the basic rules of the game. He joined a chess club at his school soon after. "When I started playing chess it was just a hobby," he says. This hobby turned into a lifestyle when he began attending World Youth Chess Championships his junior and senior years of high school. "At that point I had made chess my top priority, and at that point it was really clear it was a main part of my life and my main goal," he says. Competitive in his youth, chess "fueled my need to win," Shankland adds, especially as he realized that he had the potential to go far. And he has certainly gone far. Along with the title of Grandmaster and U18 World Champion, Shankland also became the youngest state champion in California history at the age of 16, and defeated the former second ranked player at the World Cup in 2011. With the Samford Fellowship, Shankland says he will be able to further improve his playing by attending elite tournaments where he is learning from professionals. "I've mostly been playing in tournaments that I'm winning money in and I'm getting paid to play in ... because I'm an elite player for them. I want to start going to tournaments where I'm the guy learning from the elite players," he says. And in the world of chess, that means traveling. His first time playing outside of the U.S. came in 2007 and 2008, when he attended two World Youth Chess Championships in Turkey and Vietnam. More recently, while other Brandeis students adjusted to life back at school after winter break, Shankland was in Brazil playing for the U.S. chess team. Even though he missed a week and a half of school, "it just wasn't a question," he says. Shankland is both reasonable and level-headed, two qualities that shine through in his style of play. A "universal" and "versatile player," as he describes himself, Shankland is able to approach matches with the ability to focus on attacking opponents' weaknesses. "If I see someone who's very good at one thing, and not very good at another, I feel very comfortable switching styles when a lot of other people have the one thing they do well, and just do that," he says. He also attributes his success to his hard work, conceding that, "there are a lot of players out there who are more talented than me and who didn't get as far because they didn't work as hard," a humble admission that translates into thorough preparation for each game. Part of this preparation, says Shankland, is studying numerous past games of his opponents in order to learn their style. For example, "I'll filter through all their games to look at what openings they play, and how they compare with my openings," he says. "It's not uncommon for the first 15 moves of chess to be completely prepared at home. There are lots of different ways they could play, so I have to prepare for all of those." Shankland, who is fondly known on campus as having set up multiple chess boards in a circle using tables in Upper Usdan and challenging any student to a match, certainly has a tenacious dedication to the game. Although, according to a previous interview done with the Justice, Shankland considered quitting upon entering college, his accomplishments in the sport have amazed the chess world. The Frank P. Samford Fellowship ensures that Shankland's chess career will be well supported. And while he may still be found attending Economics lectures at Brandeis for another year, his favorite place is in front of a chessboard, one checkmate away from victory.
(03/14/13 4:00am)
Generations of students have continually redefined the Justice, and each year, the newspaper's leadership changes as another cohort graduates. Alumni play an integral role in preserving the institutional memory of the Justice far beyond what goes into print. Your experiences both at Brandeis and beyond continue to inform the ways we cover campus today and we'd love the opportunity to learn from you further. Please provide your information below so we can stay in touch and keep you posted about the Justice's alumni events in the future. * Please note: We will not share your contact information nor use it for other purposes.
(03/12/13 4:00am)
Fire and ice-that's what the words brand and eis mean in German. That's why to me Brandeis is the most exciting place to be-a place of radically high aspirations that embraces difference and transformation. We don't shy away from tackling questions others may deem too big, or too small, or too controversial. Brandeis students are made of that same stuff-they thrive in an environment that allows them to seek "the truth even unto its innermost parts" without giving a hoot about whether it is considered appropriate or fashionable by the rest of the world. Brandeis is different from other universities in that everyone in this community shares in these aspirations. We're not na??ve. We truly believe that we can make a big difference. And our students go out into the world and do just that. If we know so well who we are and what we want to accomplish, why do we need a strategic plan? This plan is a pragmatic document for the president. It aims to streamline fundraising efforts and direct attention to areas that need expansion. It is not a "rallying cry" or a call to action on our part. It does not say "we've gone astray and need to refocus our attention." It does not try to reinvent us. We know who we are, and we know we're good at what we do. The strategic plan just presents our portrait to those who don't know us yet so they, too, will fall in love with us and be inspired to join our community. The plan is more like Brandeis' Match.com profile. Which is why we need to get our profile right and not try to 'retouch' it beyond recognition or avoid saying things about ourselves that people may not like. There are a few places where the current profile could still be improved. As it is currently written, the plan does not do justice to the very foundation of our academy-the liberal arts. The humanities and the social sciences are the bedrock on which a liberal arts education thrives. Our largest school may be called the College of Arts and Sciences, but its foundation is not only in arts and sciences, but also in the classical and modern languages, philosophy, history and literature. And it is in the social sciences (from economics to psychology) where most students choose their major. The plan also proudly tells the story of how the Jewish community's gift to U.S. higher education has become this gem among the top research universities in the country, and how Albert Einstein dared us to achieve the name Brandeis. But that includes embracing our history, not just our future. Brandeis, after all, was not only a Supreme Court Justice, but also a Zionist. The controversies that come with this are part of what makes Brandeis unique. If we want others to recognize us in this document, we have to own it. We can check 'non-sectarian' and still acknowledge our Jewish family background. Overall, students should be very happy with this plan. It puts their experience first, not faculty research ambitions or lofty goals for a fancier campus. Many objectives outlined in the plan will lead to more small-class experiences for all students, to even closer contact with faculty from first-year seminars to capstones for seniors. Students will have more flexibility to complete their degrees and more options to pursue their multi-dimensional interests.When our alumni talk about Brandeis they don't typically talk about their major. What they often remember most about Brandeis is a class they dared take that lay far outside their chosen path, a class that challenged them to think differently. If funded, many initiatives in this plan will make more such experiences possible. The plan's most important goal is its embrace of diversity, especially of diversifying the faculty. This is an ambition truly worthy of Brandeis, and one that's long overdue. Just last Thursday Prof. Tom Shapiro from the Heller School for Social policy and Management's Institute of Assets and Social Policy spoke at the Women's and Gender Studies' annual Lubin Symposium about the devastatingly increasing wealth gap between whites and minorities in the United States. By embracing and expanding the work of the Posse Foundation, and by training and promoting new leaders with diverse backgrounds, Brandeis shows its commitment to walking the talk. All our students stand to benefit from this initiative. My personal favorite, an emphasis on sustainability, still needs elaboration in the plan. It's not just a "domestic" issue about health and student retention, but one that aims to tackle the fires and loss of ice our whole world is facing. Our very name urges us to become leaders in the fight against climate change. We have expertise in all schools to tackle the many open questions that are crying for answers, from chemistry, to economics, to sustainable development, to philosophy. Here is a perfect opportunity to align our commitment to cutting-edge science and research across the disciplines with our mission to protect and heal our world, tikkun olam. All our prospective students know that their future depends on the knowledge we produce in this area. We owe this commitment to them. Ultimately, the best part of this strategic planning exercise will not be the document that forms its conclusion. It's the very Brandeisian process that's getting us there. The many meetings, discussions and drafts meant many in our community had to learn more about the University as a whole and grapple with each other's different opinions. Everyone who participated understands Brandeis a little bit better as a result. Which is why this plan will ultimately strengthen us as a community, no matter how many well-heeled new lovers it attracts. We will continue to be hot and cool... (and that's not just meant as a pun on the HVAC system in Shiffman...) Professor von Mering is an associate professor of German and the Director of the Center for German and European Studies. She also served as the chair of the faculty senate in 2009-2010.
(03/11/13 4:00am)
I must confess I was rather unnerved when I first joined the drum circle during Thursday's event "Music+Rhythm+Community." Usually, an event review requires me to sit in the audience as I take notes on my iPhone about the actors in a theatrical production or the harmonies in a musical ensemble. At most, I stand up and applaud when I feel the performance warrants it. But I have never been asked to involve myself in the event. After all, those who can't do so write, right? Wrong. My experience with Brandeis Beats' event "Music+Rhythm+Community" wrested passivity straight from my uncoordinated hands. As I beat the Ghanaian drums, I found myself completely immersed in the rhythm of the circle. Building the beat from the bottom up, we were unified through the most unlikely of mediums. Cohesion required a certain restraint, a willingness to listen to the pulsating conversation of percussion before we could add any commentary of our own-strengthening unity among us without a spoken word. This is precisely what Brandeis Beats endeavors to facilitate. Founded last semester by Aliza Gans '15, the club fosters a creative space dedicated to bridging gaps within the Brandeis and larger Waltham communities. Led by Boston-based drummer Jeremy Cohen, professional percussionist and founder of ThisWorldMusic, the workshop taught valuable skills on how to facilitate and conduct successful drum circles in future outreach programs. Cohen stressed the importance of improvisation in making drumming accessible and creating a base from which to build a unique and cohesive sound. He encouraged students to step in the middle of the circle and conduct the various sections, and emphasizing inclusion and involvement within a medium where everyone might not feel completely comfortable. In the past, the club has visited the local elementary school in order to expose students to the power of music and to cultivate a sense of such community. Their efforts were so successful that they even enticed ten-year-old Gabriel and his mother to join us in Thursday's drum circle. Too shy to speak, Gabriel beat his drum with such intensity that he lost himself in the music. Gabriel's involvement revealed the significance of Brandeis Beats' mission, as well as the relevance of music in uniting different communities. By the end of the workshop, the rhythm in the room transitioned into a magic that transcended technicality. For a few moments I experienced what Gabriel had-I lost myself in the beat and forgot that I was drumming, entranced and mesmerized. The music was euphoric, funky, contagious, sensational and addictive, but the only word I can think to accurately describe my experience with is soul-lifting. I left the drum circle feeling invigorated, refreshed, impassioned and anxious to return the next week to immerse myself in the rhythm all over again. *
(03/05/13 5:00am)
Last Friday evening, Levin Ballroom looked nothing like it has ever looked before. Bright lights adorned the ceiling, the walls and the stage, and the audience's excitement filled the room. The audience was itching for the much-anticipated show, K-Nite Star. Sponsored by the Brandeis Korean Student Association, K-Nite featured various performing acts, and the audience voted for a winner at the end of the show. K-Nite mixed traditional Korean culture with a modern twist-a spin-off of Korea's televised nationwide talent show, the popular K- POP Star, Korea's televised nationwide talent show. For the most part, the show did a great job in showcasing modern Korean pop culture, grounded in traditional performance, blending the contemporary with deep history. They served traditional Korean cuisine-rice, Kimchi, Bulgogi and Japchae-while blaring popular K-Pop music from the speakers. The BKSA girl group Fan-Narra gracefully glided through a traditional fan dance, creating vivid fan-shaped illusions as their pink skirts paralleled the flowing movement of the fans. Halfway through their performance, they slyly transformed into little-black-dress clad dancing vixens, evolving from traditional garb into modern and fashionable Korean style. They continued to perform the Korean fan dance, but with an edgy and innovative twist. The juxtaposition of the old and new intrigued, compressing centuries of Korean culture into one exciting night. However, the performances were far from perfect, and some did prove awkward and uncoordinated. The lackluster emcees did little to excite the audience, staring nervously at their notecards the entire night. Guest performer LK, a New Jersey Korean-American rapper, floundered with technical difficulties (the electrical cord disconnected from his microphone within the first minute of his performance), and struggled through minutes of performance while pounding background tracks drowned out his verses. His odd pelvis thrusts seemed to excite the audience, but frankly looked like a overly sexualized Elvis impersonation. While he laboriously gave his performance his full energy, there was something sadly missing to bring it all together. BKSA's a cappella group Rhythm, Blues and Seoul also began equally as worrisomely. They disappointed with flat background harmonies and less-than-coordinated dance moves, but as their performance continued, they kicked up the energy with their humorous rendition of PSY's "Gangnam Style." Though their amateurish quality made it evident that they were a relatively new group, they shone with soulful high notes and fresh musical choices. The guest group Massachusetts Institute of Technology Oori, a traditional percussion music troupe, proved very impressive and stood out among previous groups. Their resonantly vibrant and intricate beats fluctuated in volume and in tempo. Throwing their bodies into Poongmool and Samulnori styled music, they mesmerized and entranced the entire room. Their electricity flowed through years of history, keeping the show grounded in the roots of Korean performance culture. Yet, the group who truly stole the show was the Brandeis rock band IndiGo6, causing the ladies in the audience to swoon and scream. With their Justin-Bieber-styled hair cuts and their boy band feeling, they ran the risk of entering territory that can only be categorized as "utterly corny," but their funky rhythms and punching percussions succeeded in submerging the room with a musical frenzy. They struck a high note with the audience, who voted them best performing act of the night, proving that the language of music speaks just as forcefully across all cultures. BKSA's K-Nite Star proved to be a night of duality. It mixed deeply traditional Korean performance with exciting contemporary K-Pop production. It shone with electric highs, but, in the same manner, sometimes flopped with disappointing lows. Yet, the audience seemed to enjoy every minute of it, and the jam-packed room was filled with continual screams and applause. Everybody left energized and delighted-and regardless of the caliber of each performance, K-Nite Star turned out to be a huge success.
(03/05/13 5:00am)
On Thursday night, Professor Inderpal Grewal, chair of the women's, gender and sexuality department at Yale University, gave a lecture titled "Bureaucracy and Masculinity in India after Independence" as part of the Soli Sorabjee Lecture Series in South Asian Studies. Grewal discussed how masculinity and patriarchy are seen in the history of Indian bureaucracy. She is currently researching the memoirs of Indian bureaucrats who joined the British civil service and continued in the Indian bureaucracy after India gained independence in 1947 and was partitioned into India and Pakistan, including Dharma Vira, H.M. Patel and S. Bhoothalingam. Grewal said the literary content of the memoirs, the accompanying photographs, the subjects of the memoirs and the people who compiled the memoirs, usually the subjects' relatives, create a snapshot of Indian history. "These memoirs have often been read simply as archives of historical information. I'm trying to understand how that moment of national significance is produced through the genre of the memoir," Grewal said. The bureaucrats were part of a group of powerful men, the "ruling class," who were viewed by some as incongruous after India gained a democratic government. In the Indian Civil Service, as the bureaucracy was called prior to independence from Britain in 1947, these men served as lawyers, doctors, teachers and government officials. They became part of the "powerful patriarchy that governed India after independence," Grewal said. New opportunities and jobs were available to the bureaucrats after independence, who became "technocrats, management experts, bankers and finance workers and workers in industrial technology," as Grewal explained. The characteristics these "national elites" tried to embody were "reason, rationality, and objectivity," as it said in one of the memoirs. The memoirs are rarely personal accounts and do not usually include information or photographs of the bureaucrats' wives and children, instead focusing on their work for the government. The exception to this is the memoir of one bureaucrat that was compiled by his daughter, and therefore includes more family-oriented photographs. The rest of the memoirs, however, focus on "key moments in national history, and include reflections on governance," Grewal said. Grewal says the bureaucrats' memoirs are "narratives of how they learned to govern," and that they "provide lessons for younger generations of administrators." They contain insights into two areas of gender: the legal world and the family, through what they include, as well as what is left out. The bureaucracy was changing at the time that these memoirs were written, and later this group of elite men was broadened to include women, which connects to Grewal's feminist research. This research differs from her studies on women and feminism, but is related as it deals with the theme of gender. "Because I've done feminist research for so long, I'm fascinated by thinking about masculinities and patriarchies," Grewal said. "How is a patriarchy formed by all sorts of masculinities that work together? How does governance become a masculine endeavor?" Grewal has written and contributed to numerous publications dealing with feminist and gender-related themes, including Home and Harem: Nation, Gender, Empire and the Cultures of Travel, and Transnational America: Feminisms, Diasporas, Neoliberalisms, according to the Yale University website. The lecture series, sponsored by the South Asian Studies Program and the Brandeis-India Initiative which focuses on themes of justice, began in 2009 and is named after the former attorney general of India. Past lectures have featured authors and professors from institutions including Harvard University, Trinity College and the University of Delhi, as well as Sorabjee himself. Grewal's lecture drew undergraduate and graduate students interested in Global and South Asian studies. "India is a really important country in terms of international relations, and the way Indian bureaucracy works is important to the way India works, not just Indian government but also Indian business," Mitch Mankin '16 said. *
(03/04/13 5:00am)
* In their first home match of the season, the Brandeis University Men's Tennis team found themselves in a 3-3 tie against Vassar College this past Saturday in Gosman Athletic Center. It was then that the squad's depth shone through to pull out a 5-4 victory. * The day got off to a good start for the Judges, as they won two of three doubles matches behind strong play from captains Josh Jordan '13 and Steven Milo '13 who won their match 8-6. They were followed by an 8-4 loss by Michael Secular '15 and Alec Siegel '15 before David Yovanoff '13 and Mitch Krems '16 won their match 9-7 to give the Judges a 2-1 advantage in the match. * The good play in doubles matches spilled over into the beginning of singles play when Jordan rolled over Vassar senior Dan Freeman 6-1, 6-2 for the easiest win of the day. From there, the men dropped two straight matches when both Milo and Yovanoff were defeated, in the tiebreaker and straight sets respectively. Milo fell 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1) while Yovanoff lost 7-6 (7-3), 6-3. The two losses tied the match at 3-3, and it was then that the squad displayed its ability to win close matches. * Krems dropped the first set tiebreaker 7-5, but rebounded with determination to take his match 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-2 to give the Judges a 4-3 lead. * According to Matthew Zuckerman '14, Krems has been the Judges' "biggest clutch performer." * "Mitch has been really delivering big for our team. He's a hard worker and he steps it up big when we need him." * He was followed by Secular who was defeated 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to tie the match at 4-4, leaving the match in the hands of Siegel. Siegel dropped the first set 7-5 before rallying to take the second set 6-4 and cruising to victory in the third set 6-2. Siegel's comeback victory clinched the overall 5-4 victory for the Judges. * Earlier over mid-winter break, the men defeated Cal Lutherean University 8-1 in their California trip before falling to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 9-0 and the University of Redlands 8-1, nationally ranked 5th and 16th respectively. * The women's tennis team had a similar fate in California, defeating 23rd ranked Chapman University 7-2 before falling to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Redlands, ranked nationally 8th and 24th respectively. The women had the day off from matches this past Saturday. * According to Zuckerman, the Judges are focusing on typical early-season things: conditioning, efficiency and consistency. * "We've been practicing at 7 a.m. in addition to our normal practices while focusing on the task at hand," he said. "We're looking to reach our potential. If we can maximize each of our own individual levels of performance, then we have a strong possibility of being a nationally-ranked team. * Both men's and women's tennis return to action this upcoming Saturday. The men face Oneonta State before travelling to Middlebury College, while the women join them for an away match at Middlebury.
(03/03/13 5:00am)
You're Invited!
Did you work on the Justice at all during your time at Brandeis? Pull all-nighters in the basement of Usdan or the Shapiro Campus Center? Rush across campus to report on or photograph events? There are over a thousand people who've done it too. Whether you were editor-in-chief, a columnist or a once-in-a-while contributor, we cordially invite you to attend the first ever Justice alumni reunion and media conference on April 26-27, 2013. Media at Brandeis grew as the university did, and members of the Class of '52 quickly organized the Justice to report. The longest-running student publication on campus, the newspaper's multiple generations of student journalists have documented and analyzed the in's and out's of the University. We possess unique perspectives on the early days of President Emeritus Abe Sachar, controversies on campus including the housing "open-door" policy, the "closing" of the Rose Art Museum, and the student takeover of Ford Hall. We've captured student reactions to civil rights, the draft, wars, and elections, as well as spirit weeks, athletics, and the wide variety of other campus events. Today, the Justice continues to redefine itself in the face of the 21st century, bringing our coverage online. Yet it continues to invoke the camaraderie of it's origins and serve as a historical record of Brandeis to date. There is no doubt that the Justice has had a profound impact on this university, and as current students, we can attest to the fact that your hard work and dedication during your years at Brandeis have left a lasting legacy. Please join us to celebrate the Justice, and learn from the individuals who've defined it. Register Here: The cost for alumni to attend is $50, which includes a cocktail reception on Friday, and continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday. You can pay with your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. You can register here. * Reunion Schedule
Friday, April 26
Open Undergraduate Journalism Courses 9:30-10:50 a.m. "Ethics in Journalism" Professor Eileen McNamara (former Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the Boston Globe) Location: Brown Social Science Center 115 12:30-1:50 p.m. - "Media and Public Policy", Professor Eileen McNamara Location: Shiffman Humanities Center 125 3:00 p.m. Registration Opens Location: Justice Office, Shapiro Campus Center (SCC), 2nd Floor 3:30-5:00 p.m. Campus tours led by current Justice editors Meeting point: Shapiro Campus Center Atrium 5:00-6:30 p.m. - Cocktail reception, with welcoming remarks from one of the founding editors of the Justice, Sanford Lakoff '53 Location: the new Shapiro Science Center, atrium and patio Please note: At around 6 p.m. towards the end of the cocktail reception, there will be a panel discussion discussing professionalism in the media and how well the media covered the recent Boston marathon bombings. All students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to attend. Location: the new Shapiro Science Center, atrium [The Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Arts will be holding several evening performances open to alumni to attend. For more information, please see below. The featured event "Late Night with Leonard Bernstein," featuring his daughter Jamie Bernstein, is free but requires ticket reservations in advance. To reserve, please call 781-736-3400 or visit: go.Brandeis.edu/BrandeisTickets] * Saturday, April 27
All events on this day will take place in Sherman Function Hall unless otherwise noted. 8:30 a.m. Continental breakfast 9:00 a.m. State of the News, Justice Senior Editor Andrew Wingens '14, with Q&A 9:10 -10:15 a.m. How the Justice Influenced Careers (Both In and Out of Journalism) Featured Panelists: David Zimmerman '55, author of Sankofa; Alex J. Goldstein '06, Executive Director of the Deval Patrick Committee (DPC) and the TogetherPAC (TPAC); Jeffrey Greenbaum '90, Managing Partner in the Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations group at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, PC; Steve Heyman '06, Features Editor at the New York Times T Magazine. Student Moderators: Joshua Asen '13, Senior Sports Writer and former Sports Editor, and Janey Zitomer '13, Senior Photographer and Journalism Undergraduate Department Representative. 10:30 -11:45 a.m. Covering Campus Politics: The Justice as the Arbiter (and Sometimes Instigator) of Conflict Featured Panelists: Lindsay Gardner '82, Senior Advisor at Oaktree Capital Management and former television journalist; Arnie Reisman '64, award-winning writer, producer and performer as well as Vice President of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts; Benjamin Freed '06, Editor-in-Chief at DCist.com. Student Moderators: Samuel Mintz '14, News Editor, and Sara Dejene '15, Online Editor and former News Editor 12:00 -1:00 p.m. Keynote Address by Ted Gup '72, and lunch 1:15 p.m. University Update from Senior Vice President of Students and Enrollment Andrew Flagel, followed by a Q&A 1:45 p.m. -2:45 p.m. Ethical Decision-Making in the Justice Newsroom Featured Panelists: Dana Coffield '86, co-metro editor at the Denver Post and chief investigator in the publication's Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the Aurora theater shooting; Jon Fischer '07, Managing Editor at the Washington City Paper; Dan Hirschhorn '06, national politics reporter at the New York Daily News. Student Moderators: Glen Chesir '15 Forum Editor and Jessie Miller '15 Arts Editor 2:50 p.m. -3:00 p.m. Concluding Remarks, How to Stay Involved Andrew Wingens '14 and Robyn Spector '13 3 p.m. Campus tours will be offered by current editors [Please note: from 3:00 -5:00 p.m. there will be a folk festival on the Great Lawn outside of the Shapiro Campus Center as part of the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Arts] ____________________________________ Further Information
Panel discussions: In addition to Friday's panel discussion on Journalism Education, Saturday's panels will touch on a variety of subjects: Educating Student Journalists, Covering Campus Politics, Ethical Decision-making in the Justice Newsroom, and How the Justice Influenced My Career (inside and outside of journalism). If you are interested in serving on a panel or suggesting a panelist, please email us (alumni@thejustice.org). Keynote Speaker, Ted Gup '72: Ted Gup is a former investigative reporter at the Washington Post who revealed the location of the underground bunker for the U.S. Congress in case of nuclear attack. He has also written for Time Magazine and more recently, The New York Times. In addition, he is the professor and chair of the Journalism Department at Emerson College, and formerly taught journalism at Case Western Reserve. He has received several awards including the George Polk Award for foreign reporting, the Worth Bingham Prize for investigative journalism, and the Gerald Loeb Award. In addition, he is a former Fulbright Scholar and Grantee of the John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation. Accommodations: The Marriott Hotel in Newton (five minutes from campus) has been designated as the official hotel for the Justice Reunion. A block of rooms has been reserved with a special Justice Reunion rate of $149 a night (the usual rates are around $205 a night). You may call the hotel (617 969-1000 or 800-228-9290) to make a reservation. When reserving a room, please indicate that you are attending the Justice Reunion. Reservations must be made by March 29th for the preferred rate. For more information and to make your reservation with the discount online, please click here. Festival of the Arts 2013: The annual Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts will be held on April 25-28 at various locations around campus. Highlights of this year's festival include the Brandeis Theater Company production of "Visions of an Ancient Dreamer"; a concert by the Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra; and "Late Night with Leonard Bernstein," hosted by Bernstein's daughter Jamie, with performances by acclaimed soprano Amy Burton and pianists John Musto and Michael Boriskin. Tickets to the "Late Night with Leonard Bernstein" performance are free but must be reserved in advance. Please email alumni@thejustice.org for ticket reservations. * Reunion Organizing Committee Mr. Paul Levenson '52 Dr. Sanford Lakoff '53 Mrs. Barbara Krasin Kravitz '57 Mr. Sy Raboy '57 Dr. Judith Walzer '58 Dr. Jeffery Golland '61 Dr. Allan Jay Lichtman '67 Mr. Paul D. Broude '79 Ms. Anne R. Exter '80 Mr. Daniel H. Adler '85 Ms. Mari J. Cartagenova '88 Ms. Michelle Leder '88 Mr. Martin R. Lieberman '96 Mr. Dan Friedell '97 Mr. Adam M. Greenwald '98 Mrs. Pam Garretson (Isaacson) '98 Dr. Jodi R. Eichler-Levine '00 Mr. Lex Friedman '02 Mrs. Jennifer (Klein) Seadia '02 Mr. David Dagan '03 Ms. Caroline Litwack '03 Mr. Dan Hirschhorn '07 Ms. Andrea Fineman '10 Ms. Miranda Neubauer '10 ____________________________________ For more information please contact Robyn Spector '13, Deputy Editor at: alumni@thejustice.org
(02/12/13 5:00am)
* Student Union senate meetings are relatively tame. Debate consists of differing parties sharing a speaker's list, moving methodically through the motions of democracy with the rarest of hiccups. * However, when I heard the Cannabis Culture Club was on the agenda, I cleared my Sunday afternoon. The purpose of the club would be to advocate for the legalization of hemp and marijuana in a drug free environment. The club's representatives, a group of six diverse and spirited speakers, had quite a bit to say. They discussed the benefits of hemp, the trend toward legalization and the way in which discussion is fundamental to policy change. The Union then asked a few basic questions about the goals of the organization, and proceeded into a discussion where the members of the club had to leave the room, standard procedure for all clubs looking to be recognized by the Union. * What ensued could best be described as a dog trying to catch its tail. The debate began calmly, but quickly became contentious, polarized in the extreme and profoundly interesting. Analogies ranged between the Klu Klux Klan and the Queer Policy Alliance. Reasons to charter the club included: "Why not?" "discourse!" and "the administration doesn't hate it," while those against the club used arguments ranging from "they should join Students for Environmental Action" to "illegality" to "asthma." * The end verdict 30 minutes later, 5 in favor, 11 against, and 1 abstain, clearly reflected personal opinions, as opposed to any constitutional reason to recognize the club or not. The discussion at its best was muddled, at its worst, crass. * Amid all the heated rhetoric and discussion underlies a more sinister and frightening truth: The Union has embraced its rituals, its unanimous votes and formalized rules, to the point that it has forgotten why it votes the way that it does. The Union has become so comfortable with what is easy to extract from its founding documents, that the senators have neglected the larger philosophies of purpose imbued within the Union's constitution and bylaws. They have so honed in on specific and simple reasons for not recognizing clubs, such as 'duality of purpose' and 'inclusivity,' that they don't have any larger principles to fall back upon. * Their division on the Cannabis Culture Club reflected the discord surrounding the Union's purpose, and the role that senators' votes play in that purpose. * Some senators decided to vote based on constitutionality, moral right, constituent base, or personal feeling. It wasn't clear what they were supposed to vote on, so each senator decided for himself. * I am not a proponent of marijuana. I don't think that people need another high-risk decision to make, I think that it is an abuse of the human body and physically addictive. Be that as it may, I am for freedom of speech. As is the saying so often surrounding the Westboro Baptist Church: "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I will always defend your right to say it." I personally believe that it is wrong for our student-elected officials to reject a club because of personal disagreements with its purpose. I don't think that the Union should reject a club for Democrats because they are Republicans, or to reject the Queer Policy Alliance because they believe that homosexuality is a choice. Without the Cannabis Culture Club, who will convince me that I am wrong? * When it comes down to it, rejecting a club based on any grounds other than constitutional ones is censorship. It is the imposition of the opinions of some to suppress the spread of the opinions of others. Our student government should not allow itself to be a part of this oppression of speech, and adjudication of opinion. Ultimately, I think that the right to freedom of expression is far more fundamental and far more important to Brandeis' mission of social justice. Good ole' Louie would never silence the Queer Policy Alliance, the Westboro Baptist Church or the Cannabis Culture Club. * The 20 words in the Student Union Bylaws on the recognition of clubs are that 1) The club may not be a fraternity or sorority, and 2) that the club cannot "duplicate the purpose or goals of another currently Recognized or Chartered Organization." When approached by a prospective club, the senators should only vote on these stated and explicit rules. The Cannabis Culture Club is unique. It may share some motives of environmental activism with other clubs, but ultimately its overall message and purpose is the legalization of cannabis, a goal no other club on campus even remotely shares. * Duality of purpose is the only stipulation in the constitution as to why clubs should not be recognized, and thus it is really the only reason the seante should not recognize. Clubs are the way in which ideas and thought are spread on campus, and ultimately allowing all people to share their ideas best serves Brandeis' social goals, and students' best interests. * I expect more out of our elected officials. I expect the members of the Union to realize that discourse, in all of its forms is a positive thing. I expect the Union to look beyond its personal aversion to the desires of some members of its student body. I had hoped the Union would hold itslef to a higher standard. Not what they felt but what is right. Not what is easy, but what is just. * Luckily the Union understands that it needs to address this issue. This Sunday's meeting, the Union decided on a date to discuss why they recognize clubs, and what the basis for recognition should be. I for one hope they choose well. * Grady Ward is the non-senate committee chair of the Club Support Committee.
(02/12/13 5:00am)
Each spring, young Brandeisian women partake in the Vagina Monologues, an Eve Ensler play that sheds light on various female experiences. With a focus on women's rights issues, the monologues are meant to provoke anger, sadness, laughter and heightened awareness. "Until the violence stops"-the slogan used for V-Day,-is a "global activist movement to end violence against women and girls" founded by Ensler, playwright and activist. Women at college campuses all over the nation have rallied together to promote female empowerment, including here on Brandeis' campus. This year's rendition featured a new campaign called One Billion Rising, which cites that one out of three women will experience violence in her lifetime. One Billion Rising encourages women and their supporters to join together to collectively combat violence against women, in solidarity that transcends geographical and cultural borders. Despite recycled scripts, new directors guide their casts to provide a different take on each year's production, giving veteran members of the audience a fresh experience. This year's director and three-year participant, Maya Grant '13 said during an interview that she brought a refreshingly new vision for this year's production by focusing on "digging deeper to visually push each piece." Working closely with coordinator Laura Ben Marger Moore '14, Grant and Moore took painstaking care to cast young women who clearly demonstrated both enthusiasm and confidence for their monologues. Contrary to typical casting practice of selecting actors based solely on talent, Grant said during the interview that she and Moore placed a priority on pinpointing women who exhibited passion while performing, gravitating towards those with "willingness to move outside of their comfort zones and embrace what makes us diverse." This willingness to embrace diversity extended beyond just casting, as the diversity and skills specific to each actress were taken into account, allowing the cast to breathe new life into their monologues. Unique to recent past productions of the Vagina Monologues, Grant incorporated contemporary dance, though admitting during the interview, "I knew going into this show that I wanted to incorporate dance in some way but had no idea for which monologue or how to make it happen." Describing the auditions of Bront? Velez '16 and Queen White '16, two members of the Atlanta Liberal Arts Posse 2, Grant says, "They amazed me during auditions, and I knew that just having them on stage speaking wouldn't do the piece justice." Tapping into Velez's experience performing and choreographing, Grant incorporated dance into the monologue "My Vagina was My Village." Accompanied by a voiceover of the script (recorded by Velez and White), the result was a visual masterpiece so riveting that the audience collectively held its breath, with no sound of the typical candy wrappers, coughing or other types of fidgeting to be heard. Other monologues with notably new takes included the famed "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy" (often nicknamed by those involved with the production as "Moan"). It began with the spotlight on Ashley Lynette '13, but the focus eventually shifted to three silhouettes in the background, silently enacting varied types of moans as Lynette provided the soundtrack. Another, "Reclaiming Cunt" featured Carly Lenhoff '13 as she dynamically delivered her monologue, contorting and undulating her body to match the monologue's cacophony and the self-love it encourages. Through observing the skills of her cast and tapping into their varied talents, Grant successfully reinvented the Vagina Monologues experience for this University and her cast, many of whom are repeat attendees and participants. Looking back on the many hours spent bonding and rehearsing together, Grant remarks, "I am so proud of my cast this year, and I credit the success of the show to their talent, drive and commitment to the experience." A truly collective effort and cohesive execution, this year's Vagina Monologues provided a moving call to action to fight injustice against women everywhere.
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(02/12/13 5:00am)
* A 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-class sedan. Season tickets to the New York Knicks. 65 shares of Google stock. 50,000 cans of coke. This random assortment of items has nothing in common except their market price-around $50,000. We Brandeis students however join hundreds of thousands of students nationwide in paying that same $50,000, albeit towards a slightly different investment-our annual college tuition. Every student must find a way to finance the investment that is a college education and hope that the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term costs. * Brandeis is proud of its ability to help students finance their education, offering over 50 percent of its student body some form of financial aid, according to the admissions website. Nationwide, according to a Department of Education study, between 2006-7 and 2009-10, the percentage of first-time, full-time undergraduates receiving financial aid increased from 75 percent to 85 percent at all four-year colleges. Additionally, 63 percent of students in private, not-for-profit schools and 50 percent in public institutions took out student loans. These numbers, although staggering, have not stopped a 37 percent increase in college enrollment. * The system nevertheless may have recently hit a breaking point. According to a recent Bloomberg report, Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania and George Washington University have taken students who have defaulted on their loans to court in an attempt to force students to pay up. According to a TIME magazine article on the subject, most of these suits have been filed against recipients of Federal Perkins Loans, which are subsidized loans usually awarded to lower-income students with exceptional financial need. These suits are reflective of yet another growing problem in the endless effort for affordability in higher education, as student defaults grew by 20 percent from 2006 to 2011, totaling up to over $964 million. * And so the obvious question arises: How can a college education become more affordable while creating a more secure loan process while still decreasing the amount of defaulted loans? In short, how can the college aid process become more efficient? Fortunately, as with any business firm, there are two ways to make a company, college included, more efficient: raise funds and decrease costs. * The TIME magazine article argues for the need to raise funds through potential government legislation as a way to curb the rising default rate for students. President Barack Obama recently suggested an increase in the Perkins Loan program from one billion to eight billion dollars by recruiting more schools to be involved and awarding federal money to those schools that are able to curb rising tuition rates. Although this would facilitate more students being able to apply for the loans, the article notes that the increased fund would raise the interest rate on the loans from five percent to roughly 6.8 percent, making it even more difficult for students to come up with their payments. * So, as an increase in the overall funding pool is not a viable option, what else can be done to help make college more affordable for students? * To answer that, we must look at the other end of our efficiency equation-and cut costs. President Obama has touted the cost cutting model for higher education throughout his recent reelection campaign, including proposing a grant program to reward universities for coming up with new ways to cut costs. * One way to decrease costs is to follow the recent "hybrid model" of the University of Central Florida; that is, offer semi-online, semi-in class courses. For example, a calculus class would meet twice a week using some form of online lectures and a third time in person to go over any questions, give quizzes, etc. Brandeis has already taken steps towards online learning, albeit not for a reduced price, with the recent online consortium of schools in a program called Semester Online. However, the online model, and all the reduced financial costs that arises from it, comes with all the drawbacks associated with a loss of classroom time and professor exposure. * Another way to cut costs may lie in the rise of excessive college administration. According to a report by the Goldwater Institute, the number of administrators per 100 students rose by 39 percent between 1993 and 2007. To compare, the number of faculty who either teach and or do research rose by only 18 percent-less than half the rate of administrators. Moreover, spending on salaries of administration increased by 61 percent in that time span, while spending on faculty rose by 39 percent. * To be fair, the Goldwater report notes that students pay only a small percentage of the costs associated with running a university. Much college financing comes from private gifts and government funds. However, it is clear that there are ways for colleges to reduce costs, whether by decreasing administrator salaries, offering online courses, or through some other means. * In order to be truly invested in educating the minds of the future, colleges must do everything in their power to keep education accessible to as many as possible. After all, with the reported Yale and G.W. lawsuits over a mere $6,500 and $7,000 respectively, a few cuts here and there may save a student from defaulting on his or her loans at all.
(02/11/13 5:00am)
Like many young boys who were raised in Framingham, Mass., Paul Linet '75 was instructed to love the Boston Red Sox.
(02/11/13 5:00am)
Corrections appended. A Brandeis undergraduate student worked with researchers at New York University to create a model for the biological phenomenon known as "self-organization," according to a Jan. 31 New York University press release. The model, detailed in an article in Science published the same day, uses light to activate small particles, causing them to move and assemble themselves. Asher Preska Steinberg '13, along with NYU Professors in the Department of Physics David Pine and Paul Chaikin and Post-Doctoral Fellows in NYU's Center for Soft Matter Research Jeremie Palacci and Stefano Sacanna, was named as an author of the article. Steinberg was enrolled in a summer research program at NYU. Common examples of self-organization are seen in flocks of birds or schools of fish that travel together in formation, as well as colony formations of bacteria. The authors of the paper studied this phenomenon by developing a "system of self-propelled particles" that were controlled by turning a blue light on or off. When the light was off, the particles were spread out with no order but when the light was turned on, the researchers saw that the particles formed crystallite structures. These structures were dynamic and would "actively translate and rotate, collide, join, and split," leading the scientists to call them "living crystals." After the blue light was turned off, the crystals dissolved back into colloidal particles. After performing follow up experiments, the researchers concluded that the self-organization of colloid particles was a result of both self-propulsion and an "attractive interaction" that could be activated by light, magnets and chemicals. These controls allow the same organization seen in biological phenomena to be used in materials and could "enhance the design of a range of industrial products," according to the press release. The press release also stated that understanding self-organization can help physicists create "new and enhanced materials." Preska Steinberg did not respond to requests for interviews by press time. The article has been edited to correct the following mistakes: Asher Preska Steinberg's full last name is Preska Steinberg, not Steinberg and he belongs to the Class of 2013, not 2014. *
