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Middlesex Sheriff’s Office warns of phone scams

On March 13, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office warned locals to be cautious of arrest and jury duty phone scams that target people “using sophisticated tactics via text, email and online platforms.” Using the name of current or retired law enforcement officers, perpetrators have insisted that individuals have missed their jury duty appointments or threatened their arrest for “failing to pay fines or fees.” According to the same statement, scammers have asked individuals to make up their payments through cryptocurrency, wire transfers or gift cards, doing so in “high-pressure scenarios where you are encouraged to send payment as soon as possible.” In some cases, scammers have asked individuals to go to specific locations to meet with law enforcement officers.

Will Archon Yearbook be reinstated this year after its 2023 disbandment?

The Brandeis Archon Yearbook club is working to be reinstated to once again  release yearbooks. The club will be taking a new approach to ensure the troubles that caused Student Union to relinquish their status as a secured club in 2023 do not arise again. Student Union President Rani Balakrishna ’25 started the initiative and has since passed the project on to an eight person executive board. 

Phishing attack in emails causes widespread chaos for students and faculty

Following a phishing scam sent through Brandeis University emails, students and faculty across campus were hacked. Community members lost access to their accounts and the Information and Technology Help Desk was overwhelmed by the large number of individuals looking to prove their identities.

Brandeis faculty meet discuss handbook changes

As the University moves towards restructuring, faculty have begun to dive into the specifics and started discussing amendments that need to be made to the faculty handbook. On March 28 at 2 p.m., the faculty met in The Heller School for Social Policy and Management room G04 to review and debate motions to alter the faculty handbook prior to sending them out for a faculty vote this coming week.

Brandeis’ newest dorm plan updates

For the past few years, housing has been a hot-button issue on Brandeis’ campus. Students have complained about the quantity as well as the quality of their living facilities, an issue that only worsens as the Brandeis budget grows tighter and dorms age further. 

Waltham residents protest the Trump Administration

On Saturday, March 29, a group of mostly Waltham residents gathered on the sidewalk beside the intersection of Moody St. and Main St.  The force of about 50 to 60 people protested the Trump administration and declared their perceived notion that his cabinet members and plans for the country are infringing on democracy. Many of the protesters held hand-painted posters and waved American flags. Their signs read, “RESIST,” “Abolish [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] ,” “Women’s Rights = Human Rights,” “My Body My Choice,” “Science is Real,” “When one voice speaks for all, no one is heard,” “Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere,” “Diversity Makes Us Stronger” and many other short phrases capturing similar sentiments. For nearly two hours they chanted slogans off the signs and cheered when cars honked as they passed by. 

Ought you to write a senior thesis?

“Should I write a thesis?” 

Zeitouna, all-women’s Jewish-Palestinian peace group, speaks to Brandeis students at J Street U event

Mandel G03 is lit up by the projector screen as students pile in. It’s 7:30 p.m. Participants greet each other as they haphazardly cut chocolate babka from Bakey, and the president of J Street U, Ayla Wrubel ’25, does a sound check on Zoom. Once everyone has adjusted in their seats, quiet descends on the room. The two women on the screen, Leonore, an Israeli Jew, and Randa, a Palestinian, smile graciously. They are the founding members of Zeitouna, an all women’s peace group in Ann Arbor, Michigan that meets bimonthly to engage in dialogue on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The group is where Leonore and Randa have fostered a friendship that has lasted over 20 years, since they met in the summer of 2002. After some technological kinks are smoothed out, the students watch a Columbia Broadcasting System clip from April 2024 of a Zeitouna meeting with six Palestinian and six Jewish members, one of whom is a Holocaust survivor. The women eat together before sitting with reporter Lisa Lang, to whom they express how the group has supported them but also challenged them. 

Letter to the Editor — Mehdi Alavi

Trump Naively Destroying America by Threatening Iran and Yemen

Columbia as a case study: The cost of caving to federal pressures

On March 21, the New York Times reported that Columbia University’s administration would be moving to make significant changes to many of its academic and student life policies. These changes are taking place in response to President Donald Trump’s threat to pull $400 million in research grants and other federal funding due to claims that Columbia tolerated antisemitism on its campus. Tensions at the university have been high throughout the Israel-Hamas War since April 2024 with frequent protests and demonstrations, and Trump has taken to social media to insist that, “All federal funding will STOP for any College, School or University that allows illegal protests.” He added that “agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on the crime, arrested. NO MASKS.” 

Organized Kaos Spring Show

This Thursday, March 27, Kaos Kids, Brandeis’s premier hip-hop dance crew hosted Brandeis’s yearly dance showcase: “Organized Kaos.” This event featured dance teams from Brandeis, such as Adagio and HWAA, plus teams from universities across the greater Boston area, including Lasell, MIT and Northeastern. The energy was electric as dancers performed tap, contemporary and hip-hop routines for a cheering audience. This lively performance demonstrated how dance creates community in many different ways. Pictures of the Kaos dancers were hung up outside the venue, allowing friends and fans to write messages of love and encouragement. Videos and speeches allowed the Kaos group members to congratulate their graduating seniors and honor the friendships built during rehearsals. Throughout the night, each group supported the next with lots of applause and compliments called out to the dancers on stage. Each performance was full of life, making it clear to the audience just how much hard work went into each dance. One of my favorite acts was from HWAA, Brandeis’s East Asian pop dance crew. Performing to “Midas Touch” by the K-pop group Kiss of Life, the members of HWAA exuded confidence and coordination. Another favorite of mine was Lasell University’s Pulse, who showed off their fast footwork to a medley of pop, R&B, and rap favorites. Thanks to Kaos for hosting such a fun, chaotic night! 

"Porcelain War" and artistic resistance

Feb. 24, 2025 marks three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For the past three years, Ukrainian civilians have been fighting against Russian forces, striving to protect their freedom, their families and the future of their nation. Throughout these three years, Brandeis students and faculty have been holding events to share Ukrainian stories, ensuring the war’s impact remains relevant and present within our community. 

Brandeis softball: A doubleheader for the record books

"Captain America: Brave New World" and the politics of power in 2025

With “Captain America: Brave New World” hitting theaters in early 2025, the Marvel Cinematic Universe once again places politics at the heart of its traditional “superhero” narrative. This latest installment is more than just an action-packed blockbuster — it serves as a reflection of contemporary anxieties about leadership, nationalism, media influence and the struggle for power in modern America.

The Boston Red Sox’s Home Opening Day overview

A New Era for the Patriots Offense

Decolonizing Environmentalism

Ed Sheeran: one night in Ipswich

Fun fungi with naturalist Jonathan Kranz

On Thursday, March 20, around 25 Waltham residents, a small but eclectic crowd, gathered in the lecture hall of the Waltham Public Library for guest speaker Jonathan Kranz’s presentation on mushrooms. More specifically, the process of foraging, identifying and generally appreciating the fungal life forms that appear in the state of Massachusetts. 

Brandeis community targeted in two cyberattacks

Late last week, some community members received an email containing a malicious link sent from a compromised Brandeis University address. If clicked, users were asked to provide sensitive login credentials, including their Brandeis username and password. Chief Information Security Officer David Albrecht explained in an email on March 18 that “over 5,000 fraudulent emails were sent” in this attack and 267 people clicked on the malicious links. As a result, “direct deposit pay information” was altered by the attacker for three accounts. The security department temporarily locked the accounts of those who clicked on the link.