(08/27/13 4:00am)
In preparing for the admissions cycle this fall, the University has decided to join the ranks of a growing cadre of schools in piloting a test-flexible admissions policy starting in the Fall 2014 semester. Undergraduate applicants for the Classes of 2018 and 2019 will now have the option to, in lieu of reporting their SAT and ACT scores, submit a combination of SAT II scores, Advanced Placement grades, and an "enhanced academic portfolio" which may encompass a graded academic writing sample as well as an additional recommendation. Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Andrew Flagel discussed the timing of the new admission policy in a July 19 BrandeisNOW article. Mr. Flagel indicated it was the ideal time to consider this additional admission policy in part due to the "robust application pool" and Brandeis' continued "commitment to high intellectual standards and strong moral conscience ... [which] includes a belief that education is enhanced through the diversity of our student body." Brandeis has consistently endorsed a holistic, individualized examination of each prospective student's application and we commend the Office of Admissions' efforts to pilot a program that serves to bolster that mission statement. However, we question if the program will truly achieve the desired diversity purported by Mr. Flagel. While theoretically students of different backgrounds and academic disciplines may be encouraged to apply, we are curious to see if this policy will have a significant effect on the type of applicant interested in the University. It is also important to note the potential positive externalities this program could have on the University statistics often used in national rankings. We anticipate Brandeis' applicant pool will grow and will result in a lowered acceptance rate. Average test scores will naturally increase as applicants with scores on the lower end of the spectrum may choose not to submit them. With a lower acceptance rate, higher applicant pool and higher test scores, there will be a corresponding effect on the University's national standing. As of 2012, after instituting a text-flexible option, Claremont McKenna College recorded the lowest admit rate in school history with 12.4 percent. Similarly, Pitzer College experienced a nine percent drop in its acceptance rate while increasing its application pool by over 13 percent. Other comparable institutions such as Bates College and Wake Forest University have experienced similar trends after implementing the admission policy. This board wishes to add that it is pleased with the decision to issue a two-year trial run for this program. Students who utilize the test-flexible program will be asked, upon matriculating, to submit their test scores for continual review and approval by the Faculty Senate. As the Senate evaluates this pilot, we would also like to advise the University to consider the role of such a policy in shaping its self-image. The test-flexible pilot program reinforces Brandeis' legacy as a premier historical liberal arts college, and yet, may greatly affect its appearance as a research institution. With these considerations in mind, we hope that the Office of Admissions will critically and rigorously scrutinize the pilot's impact on its academic diversity, admissions standards and, especially, its long-term vision as a university. *
(08/27/13 4:00am)
Returning Brandeis students will likely be glad to find our former dining subcontractor Aramark replaced by a new company, Sodexo. For the entirety of my time at Brandeis, there were complaints about Aramark, from the quality of the food to the availability of varied dietary options. I hope for the sake of our community that those issues will be redressed. But I also hope that this moment of change is utilized for the new possibilities it offers to our workers, not only to our students. Among all of the issues I heard raised with regard to Aramark over the years, their failure to pay workers a living wage was rarely among them. Now, Sodexo is poised to take up Aramark's legacy of failing to pay a living wage to our dining workers. A living wage is determined by calculating the minimum income a person would require to meet their basic needs in a given time and place. Compared to a minimum wage, which is legally mandated and often relatively static, a living wage is determined by focusing on the specific costs of living in a particular area, such as housing, transportation and supporting dependent family members. According to a source involved in contract negotiations, the lowest-paid workers hired by Aramark in 2013 would have made only $12.32 an hour. Workers hired by Sodexo starting this year will only make $12.51 an hour. The increase is negligible, and constitutes less than half of a living wage. In Massachusetts, the minimum wage is eight dollars an hour. Working full time at that rate, a worker could expect to make $16,640 a year, putting them barely one thousand dollars above the federal poverty line, supposing they have only one dependent family member. Even if that wage is doubled to $16.00 per hour, estimates based on the real cost of living in Middlesex County suggest that a worker with one preschool-aged child would still be unable to adequately maintain secure access to housing, utilities, childcare and food. The Crittenton Women's Union, a social service and advocacy organization that works to advance the rights of low-income workers, estimates that a living wage in Middlesex County for an adult with one preschool age child would be around $27.00 per hour. Put simply, the lowest-paid workers employed by Sodexo on our campus will make 46 percent of what it takes to get by. Studies on the effects of poverty have repeatedly shown that it has lifelong consequences for those who live and grow under its privations. For adults, poverty can increase one's risk of suffering from serious mental health issues, which are especially harmful when time away from work is punished by increasingly dire financial circumstances. Coming Up Short, a forthcoming book by Jennifer Silva, reveals that poverty seriously undermines long-term stability in relationships, and can render marriage and co-parenting untenable. A recent federally funded study conducted in Philadelphia on children with in-utero exposure to crack cocaine found that poverty is far more harmful to children's growth, development and health than exposure to drugs in the womb. Regardless of whether one is single, building a family or growing up in one, poverty is detrimental to all elements of life. Harvard University, Swarthmore College and Johns Hopkins University are among the many institutions of higher learning that have campaigned for living wages for workers on their campuses. I believe it is time that Brandeis joined their ranks. It is difficult to carry out our mission as a University to support learning, community engagement and social justice when we are not providing members of our community with the opportunity to flourish. And I believe that it is human flourishing, not resignation to a series of minimums, that should underpin our thinking when it comes to wage policy. During my time at Brandeis, I devoted my time and energy to supporting the impoverished members of our community in Waltham. I coordinated Waltham Group's Hunger and Homelessness department, founded a meal donation program and served as the board secretary of Waltham's Community Day Center, a homeless shelter with a robust program of community services. But all of my work focused on lending aid to people who were in urgent need of assistance-that is to say, people who had already been let down by the precariousness of living on the poverty line. I do not regret my work at Brandeis, but I regret that I did not do more to prevent the circumstances that I saw daily working with people who lacked secure access to food, shelter and healthcare. You now have that opportunity. Sodexo's arrival signals a moment of change, and it is in that pivotal moment of possibility that the potential for progress is at its greatest. Do not be discouraged by the complacency of the students who came before you: We did some, and we should have done more. But now, the advancement of justice comes down to you. Remember that incremental gains are far superior to stasis, and that even a small increase in wages can mean a world of difference to a person struggling to support themselves and family members on meager income. In the coming year as you adjust to Sodexo or meet our new dining subcontractor for the first time, please work together to maximize the positive impact of this change not only for students, but also for our dining workers. Fight for a living wage. Liz Stoker '13 is an alumna of Brandeis University and a former columnist for the Justice.
(08/27/13 4:00am)
After 32 years at Brandeis, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer resigned this summer. His last day at Brandeis was July 31. Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Andrew Flagel announced to his division two days later that Jamele Adams, formerly an associate dean of student life, would assume the role of dean of students. Plans to replace the vice president position that Sawyer occupied, or the associate dean position that Adams previously occupied, have not been announced. Only July 31, Sawyer personally announced his departure in an email to a small group of selected colleagues and associates from his time at Brandeis. "I am resigning because I no longer see myself aligned with the University's decisions regarding my present and future roles," wrote Sawyer. "I respect the right of the University to make decisions about what is in their best interest, ... and I must do the same for myself." Sawyer went on to write that he had hoped to finish his career at Brandeis, but no longer felt that he would be "able to participate in ways that [he] would find professionally satisfying." He added that "I do not resign easily or happily," and apologized for the potentially unexpected departure. "We often talk with students about defining moments in our lives, and in this particular personal moment I have elected to leave on my own terms," wrote Sawyer. In an interview with the Justice, Sawyer confirmed that he has been in conversation with colleagues in the higher education regarding opportunities that will be available. University President Frederick Lawrence also sent an email on July 31 to announce Sawyer's departure, although did not acknowledge it as a resignation. In the email, sent to the broader Brandeis community, Lawrence described Sawyer's achievements at Brandeis since his arrival in 1981. Sawyer mentored students and staff throughout the terms of six out of eight Brandeis presidents (although the email erroneously cited the statistic as four out of eight). He also oversaw the evolving missions of multiple departments within the Division of Students and Enrollment. "It is no exaggeration to say that Rick Sawyer has had a transformative impact on student life at Brandeis," wrote Lawrence in the email. "On behalf of a grateful university, please join me in wishing Rick and his family the best of luck in the future." Sawyer was promoted to associate vice president for student affairs, in addition to his role as dean of student life, in July 2004, according to an Aug. 31 Justice article from that year. As dean of student life, Sawyer directed Orientation, a program which he pioneered, as well as Residence Life, Student Development and Conduct, Student Activities, Student Centers, Community Service, Graduate Student Services and the Intercultural Center. As associate vice president for student affairs, other responsibilities included overseeing four additional departments: the Health Center, the Counseling Center, the Athletic Department and the Chaplaincy. Sawyer wrote in an email to the Justice that, as the "number '2'" to the senior vice president for students and enrollment, he also attended meetings of the president's cabinet and the Board of Trustees. Responding to questions about whether anyone would assume Sawyer's duties as Vice President, Flagel wrote in an email to the Justice, "Rick has not attended Board meetings since I arrived. Athletics reports directly to me and has for some time, as does orientation. All of the other departments remain as before." However, he added, "reporting lines are never set in stone and I look forward to working with Dean Adams and the senior leadership in the Students and Enrollment division to continually assess our models and structures." Adams officially assumed the role of Dean of Student Life as of August 5. "Times of transition are bittersweet, but I enter into this new role with humility, respect, and fire," wrote Adams in an email to the Justice. "I will continue to support, advocate and challenge our students for the better; bridging that with the experience and talent of our Student Affairs Professionals, and complementing the outstanding teaching our faculty do in and out of the classroom. In all of this, [I will] remain committed to our core values, and never forget the reasons we are here-you, the Students and the importance of the Brandeis family," Adams continued. When asked whether or not his former position would be filled, Adams wrote, "I will be thinking about the role as we are assessing all our divisional needs." In Flagel's announcement to the division of students and enrollment, he stressed that "there is no plan in the division to cut positions to save money," but that there was a plan to "continue to explore all of our structures and processes." Adams' appointment to the role of Dean was described in the email as "one of the next steps in this process." "I have every confidence that [Adams] is the right leader for this critical role at Brandeis, and that he will continue to share his love for Brandeis both on and off campus, whether it be at a speaking engagement, motivating our peers or delivering poetry," wrote Flagel. According to Flagel's email, Adams came to Brandeis in 2005 as assistant dean of student life and was promoted to associate dean of student life in 2006. Adams is also a noted slam poet, and has performed on campus for various events and causes. *
(08/27/13 4:00am)
Greek organizations have decided to postpone their official recruitment events-otherwise known as "rush"- until the second week of September this semester in order to meet and collectively design policies aimed at ensuring safety at all future rush events, according to Greek Awareness Council president Avi Feldan '14. The decision to postpone rush was made in April at the traditional Greek-wide end-of-semester meeting intended for Greek organization officials to set dates and rules for the upcoming semester. Every organization was represented at that meeting, and the decision to postpone rush was made "as a group," according to Feldan. But while potential changes are still being discussed, a recent change in GAC policy will allow Greek members to recruit students before the first official day of recruitment events. The decision to postpone rush was made about two months following the alleged sexual assault of a Brandeis student, which reportedly occurred at the off-campus Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house during the spring 2013 semester. When the Justice reached out to Greek leaders to find out if they were planning to hold any special events in response to the alleged assault, Feldan sent an email to the Justice on behalf of the Greek community and disclosed the plan to postpone rush. "We take the safety and security of all the students at our rush events extremely seriously. We actually pushed rush back a week next semester so we would have time to discuss that very issue. I feel, as do the presidents of the individual organizations, that Greek-wide measures are more effective and reliable than relying on each organization to set its own policies," wrote Feldan. Feldan said he "could not" comment on whether the decision to postpone rush was made as a direct response to the alleged assault. According to Feldan, rush events usually begin the weekend following the first day of classes. But this semester, the "Meet and Greek" event, which traditionally signifies the start of rush, is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 12, a full two weeks after the first day of classes. Although official events have been pushed to a later date, a new GAC rule will allow Greek members to begin recruitment before the date the GAC provided for the Justice. In previous semesters, even mentioning the name of a Greek organization to prospective members before the first official day of rush events was not allowed, and would have been considered "dirty rushing." This semester, Greeks can begin recruitment immediately, even though the first official day of rush is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 12. In an email to the fraternity's members, Phi Kappa Psi President Colin Gibbons '14 wrote, "The GAC rules have been revised and the moment [first-years] step on campus we may begin unofficially rushing them. This is different from past semesters and essentially eliminates the idea of 'dirty rushing.'" Gibbons declined do comment on the email. When asked to comment on the information about "dirty rushing," Feldan said that the GAC has "decided to allow limited activities before the official start of recruitment." He explained that Greek members can engage in a range of activities with prospective members-from speaking about their organization to inviting them over to their off-campus houses to, for example, play video games-but cannot hold official recruitment parties. Feldan explained "limited" activities are now allowed because the GAC felt that it could not realistically prohibit individual fraternity and sorority members from recruiting students during the two-week hiatus. Instead, explained Feldan, the GAC threw out the "dirty rushing" rule altogether In addition to the anticipated policy changes, some organizations say they are taking further steps to ensure safety at future events. In an email to the Justice, officers of the sorority Sigma Delta Tau wrote, "This upcoming recruitment is just as important as any other semester, but all sorority presidents have met and planned new initiatives to keep all attendees and potential recruits safe during this upcoming recruitment." According to this email and an email sent by Kappa Beta Gamma officers to the Justice, all three sororities with Brandeis chapters-KBG, SDT and Delta Phi Epsilon-have joined forces to plan a brochure which will include basic facts about each organization and information regarding safety, as well as an event that is designed to inform students who wish to attend recruitment events about responsible drinking. The Justice reached out to all five fraternities with Brandeis chapters. With the exception of Alpha Delta Phi, none disclosed any specific plans to hold events in response to the incident. In an email to the Justice, ADPhi officials wrote the fraternity has scheduled a session with the campus group Students Talking About Relationships before the rush season kicks off. In addition, the fraternity will be working with the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance to plan a workshop for brothers. Fraternity officials say they have also reassessed their policies in order to increase security at their events. For example, during future events, brothers will be checking Brandeis IDs before allowing entrance, and will be utilizing marked security shirts to provide better security service to guests. In an interview with the Justice last semester, the victim of the alleged Jan. 2013 rape said she believes it is crucial to educate students on the definitions of consent and rape. This topic was discussed during Brandeis' first-ever Sexual Violence Awareness Week last semester. One of the events was specifically focused on empowered consent. During this event, a Brandeis faculty member gave a presentation about consent-what consent is, and what it is not. FMLA's Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Representative and SDT member Victoria Jonas '15 organized the event, and said there was a large turnout from the Greek community, as well as participation in the discussion that directly followed the event. But according to a Greek member who was in attendance and wishes to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, fraternity members were not receptive to that education. "They seemed to be missing the point of the assembly, which was trying to teach what sexual assault is and what it means to sexually assault someone," said the student in an interview with the Justice. "For example, during the discussion someone brought up a scenario that was like, 'So what if I actually didn't rape a girl but she accuses me of doing it, what do I do?'... It seemed like they just didn't understand the definition of sexual assault." A senior at Brandeis who has been involved with Greek life in the past said he shares the same opinion. In an interview with the Justice, this student said he was in the process of becoming a member of the original chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi during his first semester at Brandeis, but dropped out because he was horrified by the activities encouraged by Greek organizations. According to this student, during the pledging process, he and other pledges were pushed to drink excessively. For one event, pledges were told to break into another fraternity's house and steal some of their most valuable belongings. During a "scavenger hunt," they were assigned the tasks of bringing back a female's underwear and snapping pictures of women's breasts, among other projects. He said that he dropped out during the pledging process, but has experienced other pledging events first-hand then. For example, during this past semester, he claims that KBG officials repeatedly brought their pledges to his and his friends' all-male Charles River apartments to clean. He said it is undeniable that Greek organizations serve as a valuable social outlet for many students, and provide a means for members to give back to their communities through philanthropy and charity work. However, he said that he also believes Greek organizations are perpetuating a problematic culture. Jonas said that she agrees with that sentiment, but is optimistic about the future. "I think the culture is changing and during this semester ... [T]here will be a greater consciousness of the risks of perpetuating this problematic culture. But I do think it's something that comes with baby steps, and it's something that comes with time," said Jonas. She said she believes that the first step is one that Greek organizations have yet to make. "All participants in a problematic moral culture have a responsibility to change that culture," said Jonas. "Once Greek organizations recognize that this culture ... is one that is perpetuated by Greek organizations at large, that's the only way that change can happen."
(08/27/13 4:00am)
Imagine your ideal playground. You would be inclined to include a wide variety of swings, slides, monkey bars and even rock climbing walls. Now draw it. This is what the children in Waltham's Prospect Hill community were instructed to do. Brandeis was just one group that helped compile their designs and, from there, organize the plans to bring their imaginative drawings to reality. On Sept. 17, Brandeis will join with local organizations and institutions to build the playground in the Prospect Hill area. The University will work alongside Bentley University, the Waltham Housing Authority and KaBoom, a non-profit organization that strives to create playgrounds across the country that allow for children to have a safe place to play. KaBoom used the children's creative ideas to plan out an innovative site and a safe environment inspired by their pictures. About 200 children in the area will be able to take advantage of the space, which will include a community garden and eventually an additional community center. Volunteers who will be present on Sept. 17 include students from both universities as well as staff from the other organizations involved in the project. One of these volunteers is Lucas Malo, director of community service at Brandeis. "One thing I always tell my students is that we never put ourselves into the community unless they tell us they want us," Malo said. "So the Waltham police officers and some of the folks from the city talked to some of the residents and said, 'Would you be interested in this?' and they all said yes." Malo and Kate Hussey from the Waltham Housing Authority, determined to make these ideas a reality, went and knocked on every single door in the complex, reaching out to about 60 people. Brandeis is responsible for raising 10 percent of the $85,000 it will take to create the playground. United Healthcare as well as the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation has donated the additional funding needed to build the playground. The playground is designed to benefit the children of Prospect Hill, but Malo stresses the goal of facilitating interaction among the various local communities. This is not the first time, though, that Malo is working with the community of Prospect Hill. The Waltham Group is the umbrella community service organization under which many service groups fall. One of those groups, called Waltham Kids' Club, runs an after-school program Monday through Thursday that is designed to mentor children in low-income communities in Waltham. Malo noted that because of the number of children in the housing units who do not participate in the Kids Club program, "we wanted to do something extra." Bentley University, the city and Waltham Housing Authority also helped fundraise about $200,000. The group, in addition to its efforts in completing the Prospect Hill playground, is planning on opening a childcare center on the bottom floor of an empty daycare in October. The building will provide after-school programming for elementary- and middle school-aged children. "Prospect Hill is a community-there are 144 units and families live there-most of those units are single mother households with children and ... there are just about 40 different languages spoken among those families," Malo said. "A good percentage of the parents do not speak English at all. So the kids are used to being the English translators for the parents." When these groups came across the KaBoom application to build a playground, Brandeis took the lead on writing the grant, but all groups contributed throughout the entire process. KaBoom noted the potential of such a project and funded the grant proposal, which would also provide for two representatives from their home base in Washington, D.C. to train the volunteers and build all their playgrounds. There are about 12 subcommittees involved in the project, which include teams that focus on youth engagement, fundraising, media and the tool-collecting team. Dean of Arts and Sciences Elaine Wong is also on the committee, as well as Prof. Laura Goldin (AMST), chair of the Environmental Sustainability Team committee. "The most exciting thing is that we're working with the community and that's KaBoom's philosophy," Malo said. "We're building the playground together rather than bringing the playground to them." The residents of Prospect Hill, in the process, are helping to create donations, knocking on doors and securing food for breakfast and lunch on the day of the build. "I think we all assume we're part of the Brandeis family and then we go home and that might not be the community that we're living in, so I think it represents that we all come from different backgrounds," Malo said. Malo stressed the more long-term benefits of creating the playground. "We're really trying to get rid of the stigma that's attached to Prospect Hill, especially how it's not safe," he said. "We're all people and we're all trying to make ends meet and enjoy life." Corrections Appended: It was incorrectly stated that Brandeis signed the KaBoom playground grant. In fact, Bentley University was responsible for signing the grant, while Brandeis is one of the partners.
(08/26/13 4:00am)
Graceland: one word and you're thinking of music icon Elvis Presley's southern home. But this summer, USA Network introduced a new form of a television series. The original drama, simply entitled Graceland, follows the tumultuous lives of six undercover FBI agents working in southern California. When they're not catching criminals or setting up a drug bust, the agents are dealing with their own problems, including relationships and substance abuse. The show is a classic good guy vs. bad guy chronicle, with all the necessary emotional and moral issues, yet it still invents its own entirely new style. This isn't just another cop show-it has a much edgier, gritty feel that I can't get enough of. It all starts when Mike (Aaron Tveit) graduates at the top of his class from the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. and the rookie agent is sent out to California, where he joins other undercover agents in a seized beach house named Graceland (the reasoning behind the name is cleverly explained in the first episode). Mike is not thrilled about the assignment-he has big dreams that mostly include assuming a high level position in Washington, D.C.-but he soon finds out that he is actually in Cali to investigate fellow FBI agent Briggs (Daniel Sunjata), who is the natural alpha of the house. The series premiered on June 6 and the season finale is slated for Sept. 12, meaning I only have two more episodes left to satisfy my Graceland addiction. Conveniently airing on Thursday nights after my other USA favorite Burn Notice, Graceland has been the perfect summer hit series-action-packed intrigue and dynamic relationships. In fact, the development of relationships between the characters is one of the most notable aspects of the show. Spy shows, between the action, murder and deception, often lose the more delicate sides of a plotline. However, Graceland does an outstanding job at balancing the action with more emotional appeals, especially the tight-knit relationship between the agents. FBI agent Charlie (Vanessa Ferlito) is a standout on the show for both her motherly vibe in the house and her trashy, heroin-addict undercover role. Charlie has a great friendship with newbie Mike and even a romantic flicker, but it is her support, yet suspicion of bad boy Briggs that really drives the show. An undeniable trust exists between Briggs and Charlie, yet the audience also sees the friction of their relationship and how neither fully lets their guard down. Comic relief is provided by Johnny (Manny Montana), another FBI agent who seems to have little cases of his own and often takes backstage to Briggs and Mike's ever-evolving needs. Johnny is much less serious than the other agents, which does seem to leave him with the relentless thought that he is underappreciated. And when tension is particularly hot between Charlie and Briggs, Johnny becomes the middle man-like a child running between fighting parents. Although he does play a comedic role, Johnny is one of my favorite characters and knows exactly when to bring the charm. Paige (Serinda Swan) was less prominent toward the beginning of the season, but in episodes six, seven and eight, her relationship with Mike grows after he reveals an important secret to her-giving her much more screen time. The undeniably beautiful actress has a lot of potential to bring to the show, and I hope that her character will continue to play a main role. As the season finale comes ever closer, I'm eager to see where the season goes with so many things hanging in the balance right now. Graceland has managed to coax the perfect amount of curiosity and dedication from the viewer, so it is my guess that it will return for a second season. My other USA favorite, Burn Notice, is ending, so it only makes sense to fill that slot. With its interlocking, endlessly entangling web of secrets that the characters spin, Graceland has proven to be one of the hottest shows of the summer.
(08/26/13 4:00am)
The No. 12 Brandeis women's soccer team certainly has momentum on their side to start the season following a Cinderella run in 2012. The Judges-who weren't expected by many to make the NCAA Division III Tournament-went to the quarter-finals for the first time in program history, ending the season with the No. 8 ranking in Division III. The squad that ended last season as the top-ranked Division III team in New England, having lost only two seniors, looks to continue its winning ways this season. "Every year, the team looks to accomplish our potential," said coach Denise Dallamora, who will begin her 34th year at the helm of the program. "I think that we're a team that is worthy of qualifying for the NCAA [Division III] Tournament and we'll try to take it from there." Forward Dara Spital '15 burst onto the scene last year. A transfer from the University of Central Florida, she scored 14 goals and provided five assists on her way to earning National Soccer Coaches' Association of America Third Team All-American and First Team All-University Athletic Association honors. She's joined at the top of the pitch by forwards Sapir Edalati '15 and Holly Szafran '16, who scored seven and five goals, respectively, last season. While the Judges' offense relies on its attack, the team's midfielders proved quite successful in supporting the team's scoring efforts. Midfielder Alec Spivack '15 proved a formidable competitor in the middle of the park last year, earning second-team All-UAA honors. Midfielders Alyssa Fenenbock '15, Madeline Stein '14 and Mary Shimko '14 will look to continue their strong performances in that area. Midfielders Mathilde Robinson '16 and Sara Isaacson '16 also began to figure into the Judges' plans consistently at the end of last season, with Isaacson scoring the winning goal in the Judges' 2-1 overtime victory against Union College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Dallamora further pointed to the potential impact of first-year Sidney Moskowitz '17, who will likely play in midfield or up front for the Judges. "Sidney has speed, she's quick and she's tough," Dallamora said. "She'll probably fit into our offense somewhere." However, this team isn't just strong up top-it has a strong defense as well. Center-back Kelly Peterson '14, an All-UAA Honorable Mention selection last year, anchored a unit that gave up just 17 goals in 23 games. Her central defensive partner, Allyson Parziale '16, started all 23 games and made a profound impact in her first season. Right-back Emma Eddy '15, who transferred from Union College before the start of last season, put in a solid debut campaign for the Judges, leading to an All-UAA Honorable Mention. Left-back Haley Schachter '16 became a key player in the starting lineup as a first-year and will look to keep that spot in her second season. Goalkeeper Michelle Savuto '15 made great strides between her first season and her sophomore campaign. As the second-half goalie for most games last year, she conceded just 12 goals in 1,057 minutes of action, boasting a save percentage of 83.6 percent. Dallamora, therefore, recognizes that a healthy Savuto will be key to the Judges' hopes for a successful season. "Michelle has started this year's preseason in really good shape," said Dallamora. While some teams may have to wait until later in the season to assess their progress, the Judges will get a stern test in their first game, hosting the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Friday at 6 p.m. in a clash of ranked squads. "Our opening game is huge," Dallamora said. "They finished the season ranked 16th in Division III last year. We finished eighth. Both teams are nationally ranked [in the NSCAA preseason poll this year]. It will be a good indicator of where we are at this point." With the majority of its starting lineup back and ready to go, it should be another exciting fall for this squad.
(08/26/13 4:00am)
The men's and women's cross-country squads didn't finish as well as they would have hoped at last year's New England Division III Championships. However, given some of the improvements made by the runners, particularly in the track seasons, the Judges could once again become a formidable force. "The women's team had no seniors last year," said Amelia Lundkvist '14, "so it's nice to have most everyone back at this point. I think we have a lot of potential." While the two teams are attempting to figure out where they stand at this point in the season, veteran runners on both sides give Judges' fans reason to be optimistic. Ed Colvin '14 looks to lead the men's squad. Colvin paced the team last year at the New England meet, taking 50th place with a time of 26 minutes, 1.17 seconds. Colvin clocked some superlative times on the track last spring, breaking 15 minutes for the 5,000 meter run. Classmate Taylor Dundas '14 will unfortunately miss the fall season, having suffered a stress fracture. The loss of Dundas could prove detrimental to the squad, as he has consistently been one of the team's top performers in his first three years of competition (Dundas will retain a season of eligibility as a graduate student). Though Colvin is the clear-cut leader of the team, he is joined by a strong core. Greg Bray '15, Jarret Harrigan '15 and Michael Rosenbach '15 look to build on their sophomore campaigns. Grady Ward '15 made large improvements during the indoor and outdoor track seasons-he'll look to keep the string of progression going. Classmates Liban Aden '16 and Carl Lieberman '16 should provide depth for this young but talented squad. On the women's side, the Judges have been led by the senior duo of Lundkvist and Victoria Sanford '14. After taking 41st at last year's New England Regional meet, Lundkvist finished second in the 1500-meter run at the 2013 University Athletic Association Outdoor Track and Field Championships, running the equivalent of a sub-five-minute-mile, and will look to build on her spring success. Sanford is a strong competitor as well-she was the team's top finisher at the 2012 UAA Cross-Country Championships-and is often neck-and-neck with Lundkvist. Ali Kirsch '14 took 43rd at the UAA Championships last year, and is often in the running for the team's top spot. As always, the UAA provides great competition, which Lundkvist believes could play to the team's advantage as it strives to improve during the season. "The UAA Championships is a smaller race, which makes it easier to focus on certain individuals in competition. And while it's not quite as competitive as [the New England Division III Regional Meet], it is still pretty competitive." And while Lundkvist realizes that the team may take a bit of time to develop its fitness, she believes the women could make a challenge to qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships. "We want to make Nationals," she said. "While that might be unlikely at this point, I think we have a shot. We have the chance to be a really great team." Though the teams-which only feature four seniors between the men and women-will likely take some time to find its stride (no pun intended), rest assured that with its talent, it has the potential to be formidable by season's end.
(08/26/13 4:00am)
The 2012-13 season didn't end the way that Boston Bruins fans or players would have liked. After winning two of its first three games against the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals, the B's dropped three straight to lose the best-of-seven series in the National Hockey League's showpiece occasion. To make matters worse, Boston led with just two minutes left in the sixth game-only to surrender two late goals to lose 2-1. "We had more reasons than just ourselves to win a [Stanley] Cup this year," said head coach Claude Julien, who was referring to the team's desire to win the big prize for citizens of the greater Boston area, who had collectively felt the impact of the Boston Marathon bombings. However, while the ending was heartbreaking, the abbreviated season-which, for many, was about more than hockey-showed many positive signs for the Bruins in the upcoming season. Center David Krejci had a year to remember. He scored 19 goals (nine of which were in the postseason) and chipped in with 40 assists (17 in the postseason). Left wing Brad Marchand led the team in points during the regular season, scoring 18 goals and providing 18 assists for 36 points. Center Patrice Bergeron, who had a notable campaign last year with 42 regular season points, will have to step up his game to help negate the loss of former right wing Tyler Seguin to the Dallas Stars. Yet, despite the loss of Seguin, the team has plenty more in its offensive arsenal. Right wing Nathan Horton is a more than capable attacker. Furthermore, Bruins fans would be unwise to forget about left wing Milan Lucic, whose play improved dramatically in the postseason. And while right wing Jaromir Jagr, an NHL veteran who joined the Bruins last season, didn't score any goals in the postseason, he did set up 10 goals in that time. Despite all its offensive prowess, Boston also sports a solid rearguard. Captain Zdeno Chara, who suffered a stretch of below-par play in the Stanley Cup Finals, still proved to be a domineering presence on the rink last season. Defensemen Dennis Seidenberg and Dougie Hamilton were quick and ruthless at coming up the ice and scoring, chipping in four and five regular season goals, respectively. Goalkeeper Tuukka Rask's save percentage went from 92.9 percent in the regular season to 94.0 percent in the postseason. Many Bruins fans were quite worried when veteran goalkeeper Tim Thomas decided to take a year off last season, but it has been proven that Rask is a more than capable prot?(c)g?(c). A longer season may prove more demanding for the Bruins-after all, last year was significantly shorter than a normal season due to the infamous NHL lockout. And while the end of last season was less than ideal, the fact that the team made it to the Finals-along with its solid lineup-puts Boston in the running to get the job done this year.
(08/26/13 4:00am)
After a 27-year absence from the NCAA Division III Tournament, the No. 12 men's soccer squad did much more than just qualify for the top collegiate competition. In his 40th year at the helm, coach Michael Coven and his squad won a share of the University Athletic Association Championship before defeating Baruch College and Vassar College in the Tournament's first and second rounds, respectively, before falling in a close 1-0 contest to Williams College in the round of 16. However, despite the graduation of First Team Division III All-New England players forward Lee Russo '13 and center back Joe Eisenbies '13 MA '14, as well as the team's starting goalkeeper Blake Minchoff '13, the task of defending against the Judges will not be easy, as they return eight of their 11 starters. "I think we'll be OK," said Coven. "I think we're much deeper than we were last year. We had a good squad, but beyond our 12th or 13th man we didn't have a lot of depth. Though we lost a few really great players, two or three of our guys who didn't play much last year have really improved and our freshmen are looking good." Up front, the attack is led by forward Sam Ocel '13, a National Soccer Coaches' Association of America Third Team All-American last season. Despite marching at Commencement in the spring, Ocel will graduate in December and retain his fourth season of eligibility this fall, as he missed his sophomore season due to injury. In addition to his All-America accolades, Ocel was named UAA MVP and First Team Division III All-New England. His 13 goals and eight assists were vital, especially following his wide display of game-winning goals against Mount Ida College, Baruch, Vassar, non-conference rival Babson College as well as UAA foes Case Western Reserve University, Emory University and New York University. However, Ocel is not the only threat the Judges have. Forward Tyler Savonen '15 scored six goals and assisted on five other tallies. All-UAA Second Team selection Kyle Feather '14 was critical as a late-arriving midfielder, chipping in with six goals and seven assists. Forward Steve Salazar '14 proved that he can score off the bench, chipping in two goals, including the second in a vital 2-0 win over Case. The center of the park features a core of talented midfielders. Jake Picard '16 and Josh Hacunda '16 excelled in their first-year campaigns, playing a part in all 22 games last season. Given the Judges' attack-minded 4-3-3 lineup, they will likely rotate players between midfield positions and forward roles. Despite losing Eisenbies, the Judges return a solid defensive unit. Left back Ben Applefield '14 was an All-UAA Honorable Mention selection last season. In addition to his defensive duties, Applefield-a naturally left-footed player-was known for his offensive contributions, scoring a direct free-kick and chipping in three assists. Right back Robbie Lynch '15 will red-shirt this season following surgery, but Coven is optimistic that Foti Andreo '15, a former midfielder, may be able to fill the void. Center back Matt Brondoli '14 transitioned seamlessly into the central defensive role. He'll be joined in the center by defender Conor Lanahan '16, who saw some playing time late in the season as a first-year. "Lanahan played well towards the end of last year," said Coven. "He's big, he'll be good on attacking and defending set pieces." Goalkeeper Joe Graffy '15 will look to assume the starting role this season. "(Joe) has been working his butt off all summer to improve his game," Coven said. "I think he'll do very well." "We had a really good attitude last season, and this season we seem to have carried it over," he said. "Our guys are family, they stick together and they're good people. (Assistant coach) Gabe (Margolis) and I say that when that is the case, the soccer takes care of itself." The Judges open the season on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., taking on Keene State University in Keene, N.H.
(08/26/13 4:00am)
John Unsworth, vice provost for library and technology services and chief information officer, is joining the National Council on the Humanities this year. Unsworth was nominated to the Council, which is the advisory board of the National Endowment for the Humanities, in December 2011. The Council, which consists of 26 members, advises the chairman of the NEH. Grants from the NEH help fund libraries, humanities programs at universities, and public radio and television, according to BrandeisNOW. "It's an honor to be nominated by the President [of the United States], and to be confirmed by the Senate," Unsworth said in an interview with the Justice. Unsworth's work with the NEH dates back to 1993, when he served as the director of the Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities at the University of Virginia. "The NEH provided support for a number of projects at the Institute over the decade during which I was there, including The Rossetti Archive, The Walt Whitman Archive, The Waters of Rome, The Valley of the Shadow and a number of others," Unsworth said. "The appointment makes it possible for me to contribute in a new way to the national conversation about humanities scholarship, teaching, and innovation," Unsworth said. "More specifically, it will be an opportunity to have input on the NEH's funding programs and priorities, and to support the only federal funding agency focused entirely on the humanities." "I truly enjoy the variety of things that my job at Brandeis consists of," Unsworth said when asked about how he balances his different roles. "I like working with information technology, I love figuring out how to help people do their work more effectively, I admire our highly skilled information professionals-a category in which I include both librarians and technologists." He joined Brandeis in February 2012 after serving as the University of Illionois Urbana-Champlain's dean of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science for nine years. Unsworth said he believes the humanities are important because "life is short. The humanities offer us the best way to understand more lives than the one we live." *
(06/29/13 4:00am)
On July 1, Sodexo officially replaced Aramark as the University's dining services provider. The change came almost six months after University administration announced that it would be sending requests for proposal to dining service providers, including Aramark, Sodexo and Chartwells. "This was a long process; this was a painful process for a lot of people," said Senior Vice President for Administration Mark Collins in an interview with the Justice. He added, "I think there's a level of excitement about the change." He commended Aramark's staff members for their work over almost two decades at the University. "There are a lot of good people on that team, and they've worked hard over the past 15 years," he said. Collins did not attribute the switch to any concrete factors, but said instead that "at the end of the day, it was decided by the Brandeis team that it was time for a change." "We are excited the University has selected us as their strategic partner for Dining services," wrote Jay DeGioia, the University's new resident district manager, in an email to the Justice. According to DeGioia, he and his staff were notified of Brandeis' selection of Sodexo on June 14. "There will be some great enhancements to the program this fall semester with a lot of exciting things proposed," wrote DeGioia. "I will share these as soon as they are finalized. We have also made suggestions on meal plans and will also share those and the time frame for rollout." According to Collins, meal plans would remain essentially unchanged for the next academic year, pending feedback from students. However, one plan, the all-points plan, has been eliminated. DeGioia was joined on July 1 by a campus executive chef, David LaFleur, and Rachel Oppenheimer, the new director of campus operations for Sodexo. DeGioia added that "we also have some other great people lined up, and as they come on board we will welcome them to the community." While Collins would not reveal the terms of Sodexo's new contract with the University, he said that the deal included an "attractive financial package" with a "multi-million dollar enhancement fund." However, the most expansive renovations, including a revamp of Sherman Dining Hall and potentially converting Usdan Caf?(c) into an all-you-can-eat style dining hall, will not be realized until next summer. Some of the changes that students can expect to see on campus in the fall will include the addition of a Dunkin' Donuts in the Village in place of the Provisions on Demand Market, a Guy Fieri on Campus restaurant in place of Ollie's Eatery and the Stein, and Russo's Market and Starbucks products at dining facilities, according to Collins. It is unclear at this point whether or not a full Starbucks venue will be completed this fall, but the eventual installation of one is planned for the EcoGrounds Cafe location in Goldfarb Library. Einstein Bros. Bagels and the Usdan Student Center Provisions on Demand Market location, now dubbed the Hoot Market, will remain. In fact, Einstein's may expand-both in the size of its location and its menu, to which hot breakfast sandwiches may be added. Maura Boughter-Dornfeld '14, a representative of the Real Food campaign at Brandeis, was involved in the decision-making process this spring. "The presentations were really incredible," she wrote in an email to the Justice. According to Boughter-Dornfeld, both Aramark and Sodexo's proposals included a goal that the Real Food campaign had advocated for: 20 percent "real food"-meaning "humane, local, ecologically sound, and fair-trade"-by 2015. "The change to Sodexo is huge, and very exciting, but there is still quite a lot of work to be done in order to make much of the campus happy," wrote Boughter-Dornfeld. After the announcement was broadcast via email, Facebook and Twitter, multiple members of the campus community pointed to Sodexo's lengthy list of cases filed with the National Labor Relations Board, as well as student and employee protests at the University of Washington, Emory University and Clark University, as cause for concern. Addressing these concerns in an email to the Justice, Senior Vice President for Communications Ellen de Graffenreid wrote that "Brandeis is committed to ensuring that all vendor operations on our campus are carried out to the highest legal and ethical standards and ... monitoring this behavior is a routine part of our business operations." Collins confirmed this statement and added that all union employees that had worked under Aramark will have the option to stay on with Sodexo. As of June 27, almost all had filled out applications, formally initiating the transfer. The same union will continue to represent the employees, he said. Student dining workers will have to undergo the same process, but can also expect to stay on in the positions they had held under Aramark, said Collins. While Collins said that he had been made aware of some problems with Sodexo at other locations, he expected that the same conditions would not exist at Brandeis. "It's not going to be tolerated at Brandeis, period," he said. Sodexo, a globally-operated company based in France, also handles dining operations at neighboring Bentley University and Babson College, among other universities, hospitals and large venues across the U.S.
(06/28/13 4:00am)
Editor's note: A Justice editor spending the summer in Washington, D.C. had the opportunity to witness the delivery of Wednesday's Supreme Court decisions as a member of the student press. The following coverage is an account of her experience.
(05/20/13 4:00am)
Last Thursday evening, the Boston Museum of Science held an exclusive preview of its newest exhibit, The Dead Sea Scrolls: Life in Ancient Times, where visitors had the chance to see the New England premiere of the scrolls and accompanying artifacts through a guided exhibit tour. The exhibit, which is the product of a partnership between the museum and the Israel Antiquities Authority, opened to the public on Sunday, and will remain open through October 20. Brandeis has a special connection to the exhibit, as the University is the educational partner of Life in Ancient Times. Upon arrival, visitors gathered in the museum's beautiful Pierce Atrium for a dinner reception, accompanied by a continuous stream of jazz music. The largely adult crowd happily chatted as the sun began to set through the atrium's floor-to-ceiling window, and they shortly gathered around a podium at the back of the room for a welcome address. Exhibit curator Dr. Risa Levitt Kohn, a professor of Hebrew Bible and Judaism at San Diego State University who has curated countless Dead Sea Scrolls exhibits around the country, elegantly gave the visitors an idea of what they were to see. The scrolls are the oldest known copy of writings that are today found in the Hebrew Bible. The scrolls, she said, are almost a thousand years older than the next biblical source found, and are largely not just concerned with biblical content, but instead hold writings that are liturgical, psalmic, legal and commentaries, and that together, they "provide a spiritual map of ancient Israel." Visitors were led into the exhibit by a guide in staggered, scheduled groups, so that everyone had enough time to see all of the artifacts and read the carefully placed placards that prefaced each section of the exhibit. Walking up the staircase to the upper level of the atrium, where the exhibit is staged, I was very excited and hardly had an idea what to expect to see. I was able to join the first group of visitors, and we were ushered down a hallway and into a large room, walls and ceiling painted black, the floor around the perimeter of the room covered with sand. At the entrance to the room, projected onto the black walls in bright, white-lighted script was Genesis 12:1, in English, Greek and Hebrew, reading: "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.'" Six large projection screens were hung on the walls, surrounding us with calming footage of the Dead Sea shore at sunrise, as the guide launched into a pristine monologue about the story of the modern rediscovery of the scrolls. In 1947, the year before Israel declared its independence, a Bedouin goat herder tossed a rock into a cave along the shore, and when he heard the rock break a pottery jar from within the cave, he investigated- what he found was a priceless cache, countless pottery jars holding the miraculously-preserved scrolls. The scrolls were hidden near the site of the ancient community of Qumran, whose ruins have since been excavated extensively. As we moved into the next room of the exhibit, we were presented with various artifacts found in the ruins of Qumran. The exhibit teaches visitors about this ancient people who were responsible for the scrolls by way of examining their belongings, constructing a careful historical picture of the time in which the scrolls were written. After winding around a dividing wall and seeing countless artifacts of ancient life, the exhibit opened up into a much larger space, centered around a massive, gingerly lit glass table. Fragments of the scrolls were preserved in the light and temperature-controlled glass, and visitors flocked eagerly to see what they could. The scrolls themselves were preserved in shreds, torn or worn pieces, recorded in beautifully written ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and Nabataean. I was shocked at how fractal the fragments of the scrolls that we have now actually are-seeing the sacred writings in real life, for me, carried a much greater weight than I have felt from seeing pictures of them in textbooks. The Life in Ancient Times exhibit is a point of academic and cultural pride for Brandeis, and I am sure that I echo the sentiments of many of our faculty and students when I say that I am very happy that our institution had the chance to partner in such an endeavor. *
(05/20/13 4:00am)
Personally, I'm not much of a baseball fan and know very little about the sport, but the summer premiere 42, directed by Brian Helgeland and starring Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson, is about much more than running the bases. The film's emotional journey builds up to the penultimate game of the season, where Robinson stands at bat, focused and determined. The pitch comes fast and he nails it-the ball flying as he casually jogs the bases in victory. The movie tells a gripping story about love, sacrifice and bravery in post-World War II America. Based on the story of Jackie Robinson's life, the movie explores his 1946 initiation into the Montreal Royals and subsequent move to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Robinson is confronted with bitter racism, but also showered with support by both black and white fans as he pioneers the desegregation of baseball in the United States. The film begins in 1946 when Branch Rickey, the Dodger Baseball Club president, decides that the best chance the Dodgers have of winning the year's World Series is to recruit an African-American player. In doing so, Rickey mindfully breaks the unspoken rule of segregating baseball teams, and Jackie Robinson joins the team. The film eloquently gives the audience a glimpse into Robinson's spirit from the moment he is introduced: Robinson and his all-black baseball team, the Kansas City Monarchs, are filling up their vehicle's gasoline tank on their way to a game in Chicago. When Robinson heads to the restroom, the owner of the gas station stops him. Apparently the restroom is for whites only. Robinson casually replies that his team will take their business elsewhere. The owner finally relents and reluctantly points him toward the restroom. Robinson is innately outspoken and not afraid to stand up for what is right, both traits that help him along his journey to the major leagues as a racial minority. Immediately after this scene, Helgeland integrates a historically well-known episode into the script-a conversation between Robinson and Rickey. Rickey warns his new recruit of the criticism and hatred that he will be forced to deal with as the first African-American to play on a traditionally white team, and implores him not to fight back. Robinson defensively asks: "You are looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?" to which Ricky replies that he is looking for a player with the "guts not to fight back." Fighting back in 1946, roughly a decade before the civil rights movement even began, could mean not only the end of Robinson's career, but possibly even the end of his life. This scene allows the audience to realize the severity of the danger in which Robinson experiences. Throughout the film, Robinson struggles to resist the urge to fight back in the face of hatred, resentment and prejudice. In every game crowds boo Robinson as he comes to plate. In a Dodgers game against Pittsburgh, even the Pittsburgh coach taunts Robinson from the dugout, as Robinson is about to hit. The coach's slew of racial slurs was, for me as an audience member, extremely uncomfortable to listen to. As history shows, however, by the end of the film, even the players most opposed to playing alongside Robinson come around, putting their teams before their prejudices. One of the most touching moments in the film is during a game against the Cincinnati Reds when Pee-Wee Herman, a player who, just days before, was worried about criticism from his family and friends at home for playing with a black man, stands on the field and puts his arm around Robinson, looking the crowd-and his family-right in the eyes. Jackie Robinson is a heroic legend in this day and age, known for breaking a precedent by initiating the desegregation of baseball-long before the civil rights movement even started. The film, however, considers more than his historic legacy, and attempts to make Robinson a more relatable character; the glorification of Robinson's career was not the focus of the film. Instead, Boseman's portrayal of Robinson expresses the very human emotions of fear, anger and resentment, making both his character more relatable and the film all the more moving. For someone who is not interested in baseball whatsoever, this film was unexpectedly enthralling. 42 tells a story not just about a man's journey through the minor and major leagues of American baseball in the 1940s, but of drastic societal change and the strength of one man to pioneer that change.
(05/20/13 4:00am)
Now that school is over and finals are a distant memory, we have time to relax, enjoy summer and catch a movie or two! These five movies look especially entertaining among the dozens of films that are slated for release. From adorable minions to a shady drug deal, there is something for everyone. So sit back, relax, grab an Icee and get ready for some laughs! 'The Hangover 3': May 24 At this point, The Hangover is a Hollywood icon-if you've seen the previous two films, this one is an obligatory finale to the drunken trilogy. My guess is that The Hangover 3 will continue in the same vein as the Las Vegas and Bangkok adventures, but director Todd Phillips has stated that the movie will be more of a finale. Not many details have been released, but rumors have circulated that the quartet will get into their usual antics in Tijuana, Mexico, possibly rescuing Alan from a mental hospital. The infamous Mr. Chow will also join the bunch. Though I don't have high expectations, The Hangover 3 makes the summer movie list-giving closure to a prominent film series. 'We're the Millers': Aug 9 Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber (Dodgeball), We're The Millers is lesser-known than other must-see movies of the summer, but the original comedy looks equally deserving. Jason Sudeikis stars as a small-time pot dealer who hires a fake family to help him transport marijuana from Mexico to Colorado undercover. Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts and Will Poulter form the perfect fake family, as their sketchy road trip becomes a comedic bonding experience. In addition to the great cast, We're The Millers appears promising and I'm looking forward to catching more of Aniston on the big screen after a hilarious performance in Horrible Bosses (also alongside Sudeikis). 'Despicable Me': July 3 My slight obsession with the adorable, pint-sized yellow minions automatically puts Despicable Me 2 at the top of my "To-See list" and I cannot wait to catch the latest installment of the animated film series. Villain-turned-hero Gru (voiced by Steve Carell) returns to save the world with his three adopted daughters in tow. Miranda Cosgrove voices the youngest girl, Agnes, and she gives the minions a run for their money in the cuteness contest, while the two elder girls Margo and Edith each have their own quirky personalities. Animated movies are perfect for beating the summer heat, and if the overwhelming Facebook presence of Despicable Me is any indicator, the minions will take the summer by storm. 'This Is the End': June 12 Let's face it: anything with Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Michael Cera, James Franco and Paul Rudd is bound to be hilariously epic. They are the Hollywood comedic dream team and their upcoming apocalyptic crisis movie This Is The End looks to be no exception. In the movie, the group of friends struggle to adapt after a global apocalypse leaves them struggling in Los Angeles. Adding to the excitement, sitcom super star Mindy Kaling will make an appearance, along with stand-up comedian Aziz Ansari, pop singer Rihanna and Emma Watson. Though the post-apocalyptic theme has already been heavily played out, the previous comedic genius of these actors surely indicates that This Is The End will be a great summer hit. 'After Earth': May 31 Remember that adorable little boy who joined Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness seven years ago? Jaden Smith once again joins his father, but this time in a very different movie. After the human race abandoned the planet and moved light years away, After Earth chronicles the perilous father-son journey across the dangerous terrain. In a struggle for survival, the pair rebuild a failing relationship-a classic action-meets-heartfelt theme. Ever since his first movie role, I've anticipated Jaden following in his father's footsteps and this movie is clearly a step in that direction. Will Smith, as seen in hits such as I Am Legend, perfectly puts out emotionally charged action movies and, therefore, After Earth should be a great start to the summer movie season.
(05/20/13 4:00am)
I've always been a five-year-plan kind of girl. In high school, I had my path to college all planned out by the end of my freshman year. I knew exactly which colleges I was going to apply to and what extracurricular activities I was going to do to get myself accepted into them. When I got to Brandeis, I felt less sure of what the end goal would be. Yet my sophomore year when I decided what my major would be, I still sat down with a friend of mine who was a Roosevelt Fellow and planned out the rest of my time at Brandeis, down to which classes I would take my second semester of senior year. By the end of my sophomore year, I already knew what my thesis topic was going to be and how, when, and where I was going to carry out the fieldwork for it. For all of my obsessive planning however, I never was able to figure out just what it was I wanted to do once I graduated from Brandeis. I also never thought that I would ever get to the day of my commencement without a job already secured, a place to live and a little cushion in my bank account. Yet, on Sunday I graduated from Brandeis without any plan at all. All I know is that I will pack up my room and go back to New York with my parents. I will spend the next four weeks relaxing and visiting friends before I head off to Israel for the summer. My return from Israel, however, is blank-a question mark. I am terrified. And also angry with myself for not having planned better, thought harder and worked more to secure something, anything for myself to do next year. I am worried about tight funds, especially because I do not know when I will be able to secure any employment again, even if just a job at a caf?(c). Most of all I am worried about having to move back in with my parents after a gap year and four years of college living totally independently of them. Despite all these worries, which do not cease to grow and multiply, when I laid down to sleep on Sunday night after officially joining the ranks of Brandeis alumni, I had a strangely uncharacteristic thought. It occurred to me that without any particular obligations for the coming year of where I have to be or when, I can literally do anything that I want. Normally when I make my five-year plan, I do so by placing myself in "the box." I choose paths that correspond to my strengths, and I never choose an end goal that I do not think I can achieve, or that I am not entirely sure about. Ultimately, all of my plans have fed into the notion I have that I should go to college, do exceptionally well, graduate and start my career, and later get married and start a family. As I am standing on the edge of the cliff that is the "real world," I am realizing that now is perhaps the best time I will ever have to throw all my plans to the wind and simply follow my whims. Perhaps by placing myself in "the box" all these years, I have sold myself short of the full range of my capabilities. This is not to say that I haven't done exceptionally well at Brandeis, because I have, and I am extremely proud of my accomplishments. I have, however, only made accomplishments in a very limited field. I have excelled in anthropology, but I have neglected to pursue other interests and to nourish my creative mind. I have always believed that I "can't" do art, music, dance or martial arts because I am simply not talented enough for these things. Yet in my time at Brandeis, I did not branch out beyond the obligatory distribution requirements to give myself the opportunity to even try these things. On Sunday night when it occurred to me that I can do anything I want, it also occurred to me that I am afraid of the coming year precisely because I have been placing myself in "the box" all this time. Since I don't have a fantastic job that will launch me into a steady and fulfilling career, I am suddenly sitting on the outside of this perfect little "box" with no real way to get back in, nor with any idea how I might get back in. It's unnerving to be locked out of this ideal, but it's also the greatest blessing I could possibly have. With no obligations for the coming year, I can literally choose any interest, any activity that occurs to me on a whim and do it, even if it means that I have to support myself doing a job I didn't need to go to college to do. It's time to break out of "the box" and explore everything else that I am capable of. *
(05/20/13 4:00am)
I've always been a five-year-plan kind of girl. In high school, I had my path to college all planned out by the end of my freshman year. I knew exactly which colleges I was going to apply to and what extracurricular activities I was going to do to get myself accepted into them. When I got to Brandeis, I felt less sure of what the end goal would be. Yet my sophomore year when I decided what my major would be, I still sat down with a friend of mine who was a Roosevelt Fellow and planned out the rest of my time at Brandeis, down to which classes I would take my second semester of senior year. By the end of my sophomore year, I already knew what my thesis topic was going to be and how, when, and where I was going to carry out the fieldwork for it. For all of my obsessive planning however, I never was able to figure out just what it was I wanted to do once I graduated from Brandeis. I also never thought that I would ever get to the day of my commencement without a job already secured, a place to live and a little cushion in my bank account. Yet, on Sunday I graduated from Brandeis without any plan at all. All I know is that I will pack up my room and go back to New York with my parents. I will spend the next four weeks relaxing and visiting friends before I head off to Israel for the summer. My return from Israel, however, is blank-a question mark. I am terrified. And also angry with myself for not having planned better, thought harder and worked more to secure something, anything for myself to do next year. I am worried about tight funds, especially because I do not know when I will be able to secure any employment again, even if just a job at a caf?(c). Most of all I am worried about having to move back in with my parents after a gap year and four years of college living totally independently of them. Despite all these worries, which do not cease to grow and multiply, when I laid down to sleep on Sunday night after officially joining the ranks of Brandeis alumni, I had a strangely uncharacteristic thought. It occurred to me that without any particular obligations for the coming year of where I have to be or when, I can literally do anything that I want. Normally when I make my five-year plan, I do so by placing myself in "the box." I choose paths that correspond to my strengths, and I never choose an end goal that I do not think I can achieve, or that I am not entirely sure about. Ultimately, all of my plans have fed into the notion I have that I should go to college, do exceptionally well, graduate and start my career, and later get married and start a family. As I am standing on the edge of the cliff that is the "real world," I am realizing that now is perhaps the best time I will ever have to throw all my plans to the wind and simply follow my whims. Perhaps by placing myself in "the box" all these years, I have sold myself short of the full range of my capabilities. This is not to say that I haven't done exceptionally well at Brandeis, because I have, and I am extremely proud of my accomplishments. I have, however, only made accomplishments in a very limited field. I have excelled in anthropology, but I have neglected to pursue other interests and to nourish my creative mind. I have always believed that I "can't" do art, music, dance or martial arts because I am simply not talented enough for these things. Yet in my time at Brandeis, I did not branch out beyond the obligatory distribution requirements to give myself the opportunity to even try these things. On Sunday night when it occurred to me that I can do anything I want, it also occurred to me that I am afraid of the coming year precisely because I have been placing myself in "the box" all this time. Since I don't have a fantastic job that will launch me into a steady and fulfilling career, I am suddenly sitting on the outside of this perfect little "box" with no real way to get back in, nor with any idea how I might get back in. It's unnerving to be locked out of this ideal, but it's also the greatest blessing I could possibly have. With no obligations for the coming year, I can literally choose any interest, any activity that occurs to me on a whim and do it, even if it means that I have to support myself doing a job I didn't need to go to college to do. It's time to break out of "the box" and explore everything else that I am capable of. *
(05/20/13 4:00am)
I've always been a five-year-plan kind of girl. In high school, I had my path to college all planned out by the end of my freshman year. I knew exactly which colleges I was going to apply to and what extracurricular activities I was going to do to get myself accepted into them. When I got to Brandeis, I felt less sure of what the end goal would be. Yet my sophomore year when I decided what my major would be, I still sat down with a friend of mine who was a Roosevelt Fellow and planned out the rest of my time at Brandeis, down to which classes I would take my second semester of senior year. By the end of my sophomore year, I already knew what my thesis topic was going to be and how, when, and where I was going to carry out the fieldwork for it. For all of my obsessive planning however, I never was able to figure out just what it was I wanted to do once I graduated from Brandeis. I also never thought that I would ever get to the day of my commencement without a job already secured, a place to live and a little cushion in my bank account. Yet, on Sunday I graduated from Brandeis without any plan at all. All I know is that I will pack up my room and go back to New York with my parents. I will spend the next four weeks relaxing and visiting friends before I head off to Israel for the summer. My return from Israel, however, is blank-a question mark. I am terrified. And also angry with myself for not having planned better, thought harder and worked more to secure something, anything for myself to do next year. I am worried about tight funds, especially because I do not know when I will be able to secure any employment again, even if just a job at a caf?(c). Most of all I am worried about having to move back in with my parents after a gap year and four years of college living totally independently of them. Despite all these worries, which do not cease to grow and multiply, when I laid down to sleep on Sunday night after officially joining the ranks of Brandeis alumni, I had a strangely uncharacteristic thought. It occurred to me that without any particular obligations for the coming year of where I have to be or when, I can literally do anything that I want. Normally when I make my five-year plan, I do so by placing myself in "the box." I choose paths that correspond to my strengths, and I never choose an end goal that I do not think I can achieve, or that I am not entirely sure about. Ultimately, all of my plans have fed into the notion I have that I should go to college, do exceptionally well, graduate and start my career, and later get married and start a family. As I am standing on the edge of the cliff that is the "real world," I am realizing that now is perhaps the best time I will ever have to throw all my plans to the wind and simply follow my whims. Perhaps by placing myself in "the box" all these years, I have sold myself short of the full range of my capabilities. This is not to say that I haven't done exceptionally well at Brandeis, because I have, and I am extremely proud of my accomplishments. I have, however, only made accomplishments in a very limited field. I have excelled in anthropology, but I have neglected to pursue other interests and to nourish my creative mind. I have always believed that I "can't" do art, music, dance or martial arts because I am simply not talented enough for these things. Yet in my time at Brandeis, I did not branch out beyond the obligatory distribution requirements to give myself the opportunity to even try these things. On Sunday night when it occurred to me that I can do anything I want, it also occurred to me that I am afraid of the coming year precisely because I have been placing myself in "the box" all this time. Since I don't have a fantastic job that will launch me into a steady and fulfilling career, I am suddenly sitting on the outside of this perfect little "box" with no real way to get back in, nor with any idea how I might get back in. It's unnerving to be locked out of this ideal, but it's also the greatest blessing I could possibly have. With no obligations for the coming year, I can literally choose any interest, any activity that occurs to me on a whim and do it, even if it means that I have to support myself doing a job I didn't need to go to college to do. It's time to break out of "the box" and explore everything else that I am capable of. *
(05/20/13 4:00am)
Rabbi David Pardo and his wife Ariel Pardo will be joining Brandeis as co-directors of the Orthodox Union's Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus this August, according to an email announcement from Executive Director of Hillel at Brandeis Larry Sternberg to members of the Hillel community. According to its website, JLIC aims to provide advising and counsel to Orthodox Jewish students attending secular universities by placing Rabbinic couples on campuses to serve as mentors. Currently, JLIC serves 15 colleges and universities, including Brandeis. The Pardos, who both attended the University of California at Los Angeles as undergraduates, were student leaders at the JLIC program there, they said in an interview with the Justice. David said he felt "excited" and "really fortunate" to come to Brandeis. According to Sternberg's announcement, David received his semikhah, or rabbinical ordination, from Yeshiva University and was also educated at the Isralight Institute and Yeshiva University's Center for the Jewish Future. He has done community work in several cities, most recently in Toronto, where he is the director of education and community engagement at The House, a center which provides "inspiring and relevant Jewish education" according to its website. After UCLA, Ariel attended the Nishmat's Alisa Flatow program, which "offers a unique opportunity" for women to "study Jewish texts in a warm and intellectually stimulating environment," and later received a certificate from Machon Puah's Women's Health Training. According to Sternberg in an interview with the Justice, the process of selecting a rabbinic couple began when the Orthodox Union suggested rabbinic couples, whom he then interviewed. Later four of the couples were brought to campus to meet with more members of the Jewish community. "It was a long two days. We interviewed almost everybody on campus, and their mother," joked David when he was asked about the interview process. When asked why the Pardos were selected, Sternberg answered that the couple exhibited strong interpersonal skills and an ability to relate to the Brandeis community and individuals. In addition, he said that they will be able to relate to all students, not just Orthodox Jewish students. "One of the beauties of having a couple who are different from one another a bit ... with different background and exposures is that they will invariably have a greater impact than just on Orthodox community," said Sternberg. As co-directors of JLIC, David said that he and Ariel would want to help the community "foster an incredible Jewish experience" during their time at Brandeis. "That includes learning and social events and everything in between," said Ariel. She went on to explain they will have to become more familiar with the Brandeis community before they make any specific plans, but would like to try ideas that were successful at UCLA. The couple will be succeeding Rabbi Eliot and Toby Kaplowitz, who announced last December that they would be leaving Brandeis at the end of this academic year to pursue other opportunities.
