Search Results

Enviromental film prompts tough questions on divestment

Police Log 9/4/2018

Medical Emergency

University negotiators and the graduate student union bargaining unit reach a Tentative Agreement

After a year of negotiations, a Tentative Agreement has been reached between the chief negotiators of University and the bargaining unit of the Graduate Student Union. The TA, which has not yet been released, will be voted on by the approximately 240 members of the bargaining unit on Sept. 18. It is yet to be ratified by the University, but it is expected to pass both parties’ ratification processes.

A summer-y of 2018 summer films

This was a year of box office records. “Black Panther” became the ninth-highest grossing film of all time with a $1.3 billion take; “Incredibles 2” became the highest non-PG-13 grosser of all time besides a list of box office records in the animation genre; “Avengers: Infinity War” conquered theaters worldwide with a claim on the $2 billion milestone. Additionally, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” the deep dive into the life of beloved children’s entertainer Fred Rogers, became the top-grossing biographical documentary of all time at $20 million. Average per-screen grosses were also very impressive with the releases of “Eighth Grade,” “Sorry to Bother You,” “BlacKkKlansman,” and the 50th anniversary re-release of “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

Hodgson becomes dean of Arts and Sciences

Dorothy L. Hodgson, an internationally known anthropologist, was selected as the new dean of Arts and Sciences last May. She previously served as the senior associate dean for academic affairs at Rutgers University’s School of Graduate Studies.

Potential Wi-Fi issue averted

A safety feature of the Blue Light emergency pole system on campus alerted the University administration late this summer that a pole near Massell Quad was not functioning. Upon further investigation, it was clear that other technology in the area was not working correctly either.

'More Weight' surprises and intrigues

Rachel Stern’s exhibition, “More Weight,” points a satin-gloved finger at both the ideal of justice and its subjectivity. While Stern is not a Brandeis alumna, her display at the Kniznick Gallery in Brandeis’ Women’s Studies Research Center perfectly resonates with Brandeis students;  it holds justice as a core value and features gavel imagery, both of which permeate Brandeis’ culture. The title, “More Weight,” is taken from the famous last words of Giles Corey during the Salem witch trials, during which he was put to death for refusing to confess to practicing witchcraft.

Interview: Rebecca Myers '18

justArts: What was the first production you took part in at Brandeis?  Did it impact you in any lasting way?

Hrabowski urges grads to stand up for justice

“Each of us is a collection of stories,” Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III told the Class of 2018 during his address for the University’s 67th commencement. Hrabowski’s  speech was shaped by and grounded in stories from his mother’s life as well as his own. The address explored the importance of justice, truth and a strong sense of self to improving the world.

Police Log

Medical Emergency

Prof. William E. Kapelle addresses 2018 Phi Beta Kappa inductees

In a ceremony on Saturday, the University inducted 92 students to the Mu Massachusetts chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Family and friends celebrated with the inductees at the event in Spingold Theater.

EDITORIAL: Recognize accomplishments of graduating Justice editors

As the academic year comes to a close, it is time to say goodbye to the graduating Justice seniors. All were essential members of the paper, and this board wants to take the time to appreciate their hard work and passionate personalities, both in and out of the office.

Grad students negotiate contract

Graduate students and representatives from the administration are entering their eighth month of contract negotiations, according to an email to the Justice from Eric Chasalow, dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 

New initiative explores Latinx Jewish culture

After more than two decades of engaging with scholars, authors, artists and community members to develop “fresh ways of thinking about Jews and gender worldwide,” the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute is launching its newest initiative: the HBI Project in Latin American Jewish & Gender Studies.

International Business School gains Prof. Kathryn Graddy as new dean

Prof. Kathryn Graddy (ECON), the Fred and Rita Richman distinguished professor in economics and senior associate dean at the Brandeis International Business School, has been appointed the school’s new dean, according to a May 1 email from University President Ron Liebowitz and University Provost Lisa M. Lynch. 

Boston Lyric Opera does Bernstein

On Sunday, the Boston Lyric Opera kicked off the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts in Slosberg Music Center, setting a high bar for the student performances to come. The first three pieces in this nine-piece set went perfectly and flowed well into one another. The first solo performance was by Vincent Turregano; his performance of “A Simple Song” from “Mass” was incredible. The title of this song vastly undersells the rich complexity both of the music itself and of this actor’s performance. It was a semi-staged performance with movement direction by Nicola Bowie, but the underwhelming and confusing staging and choreography only detracted from wonderful acting and vocal performance, as it would for the entire performance. 

Folk Fest is a great chance for a picnic

This past Saturday afternoon, on-campus folk a cappella group Too Cheap For Instruments held their annual Folk Fest on the Great Lawn. With the sun shining brightly, many attendees spread  out blankets on the grass and held picnics to enjoy the long-awaited spring weather and the tinkling folk tunes. Too Cheap For Instruments organized five sets to play throughout the afternoon, in addition to a set of their own. These musicians included Molly Pinto Madigan, Lauren Pratt, Crowes Pasture, Walter and the Night Owls and headliner crowd favorite Cold Weather Company. 

Bernstein’s Birthday Party

The Great Lawn hosted a large birthday party on Thursday evening to commemorate Leonard Bernstein’s lasting impact on both the Brandeis community and the arts at large. Various festivities, including a slideshow presentation of photos from past Leonard Bernstein Festivals, took place throughout the night. The slideshow clearly conveyed the importance and excitement of the festival for anyone studying music. Complementing the slideshow were performances from Prof. Eric Chasalow (MUS) and a student-led band. The performances were so passionate and polished — a display well befitting Bernstein’s birthday celebration. Prof. Mark Berger (MUS) also gave a talk about the lasting legacy Bernstein left at Brandeis, demonstrating how truly loved and appreciated Bernstein is by Brandeis students and faculty. Inside the tent, cookies and a birthday cake helped partygoers celebrate Bernstein’s 100th. Arts lovers came together to mingle and collect their Leonard Bernstein bookmarks and literature packets. The party was a great way to begin the end of the festival, and also a great way to be involved with and learn more about the arts, especially music, on campus. Although Bernstein passed many years ago, his influence on the arts at Brandeis is evident.

Music and Dance rocks Ridgewood

Ridgewood A was packed with great performances from groups of various branches of the arts. However, my favorite would have to be the Music and Dance Band. Their renditions of pop favorites across decades energized the room. Director Steven Tarr ’19 arranged “Jet,” as played by Maynard Ferguson, “Baba Yetu” by Christopher Tin, “Temple of Boom” by Lucky Chops, “Africa” by Toto and “The Saints Go Marching In.” Tarr, his co-director Matthew Kowalyk ’18 and their 10 or so players put its audience in a mood that made you forget about the gloomy weather outside.  Despite the fact that “Africa” has had a recent resurgence in popularity, you could hear the audience singing along to the primarily brass band performed their best during “Temple of Boom,” creating an apt atmosphere for the Ridgewood A Commons with strong trombone and tenor sax solos. The hallmark of a great performance is when the performers are having just as much fun as the audience, and you could clearly observe the group’s passion and dedication to their music. Catch them at the Midnight Buffet if you haven’t heard them yet. 

Toxic pops and locks it

Last Sunday afternoon, overcome by a mid-April winter storm, eager audience members packed into Ridgewood Commons to see a dance performance from Toxic. The group, Brandeis’ only majorette dance crew, was anything but bogged down by the bog that forced them into the rain location, delivering a characteristically fierce performance set to the track of “Freedom” by Beyoncé. The dancers — poised, crackling and confident — were on fire. Toxic has a way of bringing a unique energy into a room, one that they not only imbue their performances with but also share with their audiences, creating a collective experience that feels almost spiritual, if not downright heavenly. One audience member appropriately cheered for the group rather vocally throughout their routine, as if speaking for everybody in the room. The evident commitment in the dances that Toxic performs bolsters the energy, leaving you begging for more. When they exited through a back door after their dance for the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts, there was not a disappointed audience member to be found. Put simply, there are not enough praises to sing about Toxic. These ladies know how to put on a show, and they deliver it flawlessly.