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Justice Editors & Staff — Not Pictured

Associate Editors: Anika Jain ’26, Diane Meyer ’26

Undergraduate Commencement: Class of 2025 says goodbye

On Sunday, May 18 the Brandeis undergraduate class of 2025 received their diplomas as now retired Brandeis professor Jonathan Sarna ’75 GSAS MA’75  provided the keynote commencement address. As students filled their seats in a great procession, alumni of the class of 1975 followed them into the auditorium marking their 50th graduation anniversary. 

The class of 2025’s favorite courses

As Brandeis goes through numerous changes over the years — whether in its infrastructure, its administration or its student body — certain truths about the character of the University remain the same. One of those truths is that its academics comprise a diverse collection of talented and dedicated instructors who teach classes that change our lives indelibly.

Brandeis University forms a committee to search for a new president with faculty leaders appointed

Two emails sent to the Brandeis community members on May 15 reveal how the University’s leadership will continue to change in the coming months. After hundreds of nominations and deliberation with the faculty senate, Interim President Arthur Levine `70 and Carol Fierke, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs, chose the interim deans of several schools of study. Prof. Harleen Singh (GRALL/WGS) will lead the School of Arts, Humanities and Culture. Prof. Susan Birren (NEUR/BIOL) will lead the School of Science, Engineering and Technology. Prof. Linda Bui (ECON) will lead the School of Business and Economics. Prof. Sara Shostak (HSSP) will lead the School of Social Sciences and Social Policy.

Brandeis Jewish Bund members demonstrate during Israel Week event

On May 1, Brandeis Hillel held Israel Fest among the Fellows Garden Blue Booths at noon to “celebrate Israeli resilience.” The outdoor festival featured an art installation and candles to light in honor of those impacted by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack and the subsequent Israel-Hamas War. 

The University restructures its University Writing Seminar for fall of 2025

Starting next fall, the University Writing Program — the first year writing program which includes composition seminars and University Writing Seminars — will be restructuring as “first-year seminars.” This change was primarily initiated by the Dean of Arts and Sciences office when they established a committee to do a “five-year review of the Brandeis Core Curriculum,” according to an email sent to The Justice from Lisa Rourke, the director of the University Writing Program, and Katrin Fischer, who is the director of First Year Writing. The committee laid out how they took feedback from faculty, staff, alumni and students, in addition to reviewing “Brandeis Core learning objectives [and] curricular and financial data, and faculty, students, alumni and staff feedback.” They concluded that one of the priorities was making the curriculum more flexible, in addition to introducing students to faculty from other disciplines outside the University Writing Program. 

Thank you to our seniors!

This editorial board wants to take this opportunity to recognize the incredible contributions made by our ten graduating seniors over the past four years. Despite being a club, the ample amount of work and dedication that goes into maintaining The Justice can often feel like a full-time commitment, but these graduates have taken these challenges in stride. Although we will miss sharing our late nights in the office with them, we are more than excited to see what their bright futures have in store for them! 

The artistic connection between textiles and computers

What do denim jeans and the iPhone have in common? The answer is: more than you think. Textiles and computers are both incredibly ubiquitous technologies. In fact, textiles are one of the oldest forms of technology that we use daily. The clothes we dress in every day represent hundreds of thousands of years of textile development — from the time humans first began to dress themselves in animal skins to the industrialization of garment creation during the 19th century. Meanwhile, computers are one of the newest technological advancements of the modern day. From smartphones to smart-refrigerators, computers have become fully integrated into our daily lives. While they may seem separate, the connection between these ancient and modern technologies is strong. 

Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Arts Craft Market

Student artisan vendors presented and sold their original creations on Saturday, April 26. The collaborative market was held in Fellows Garden and organized by the Art club at Brandeis. 

After Hugh Hayden: A closer look at the exhibition through ekphrastic poetry

On April 24, 2025 at 2:30pm, The Rose Art Museum invited students to perform their poetry in conversation with Hugh Hayden’s exhibition, “Home Work.” I arrived ten minutes early, setting aside my belongings. Student poets dressed in flurries of flowery patterns and spring colors were scattered in the Museum, reciting their poems and practicing silently to themselves as I wandered through the exhibition. I made my way to the entrance to await the formal start of the tour. I found a stack of booklets titled “After Hugh Hayden” that was a chapbook collection of all the student poems

Balancé-ing through ballet

On April 26, the Brandeis Ballet Club celebrated their 15th year of bringing the art of ballet to the Brandeis community through their annual Spring Showcase. Unlike “The Nutcracker,” a more defined production traditionally performed each winter, the Spring Showcase featured a myriad of original performances choreographed by different students in the club.

"Signs for Change" Exhibit: A powerful start to Creative Arts Festival

To kick off this year’s annual Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts, Brandeis’s Students for Environmental Action club put up an exhibition in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium on Wednesday, April 23. The exhibition, titled “Signs for Change,” was thematically focused on climate justice and featured both artwork made from recycled materials and an interactive display that shared educational environmental facts. One part of the exhibit featured over a dozen pieces of cardboard painted with images and words promoting climate action. The pieces were artfully placed to make a pile while maximizing the number of signs that were visible. Other pieces were taped on the windows above the central pile. This colorful and eye-catching display was accompanied by a quick response code with a link to a petition supporting Mass 350’s Climate Change Superfund Act. 

Roots with friends!

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

Waltham School Committee presented with preliminary Fiscal Year Budget

On April 4, the Waltham Public School Committee reviewed the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2026, marking a significant step forward in planning for the upcoming school year. The meeting included reflections on the budgeting process and the district’s priorities for the coming fiscal year.

President Levine on plans to improve the University

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

Reinventing to what end?

First, I heard the words, “we’re reinventing the Liberal Arts.” I was skeptical. Then I heard, “for the new global, digital economy,” and a wave of nausea on account of an unoriginal cliché followed. To make matters worse, “our students should have one foot in the street and the other in the library,” — this must be a sick and twisted joke dressed up in a sports jacket and tall black socks.

Notes to newcomers: Everything we learned

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

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

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

Local non-profit changes lives of high school students

Daya and Baby Tate to perform at Springfest