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The cutting of the Lydian String Quartet came as a surprise to the Brandeis community as it marked the end of its 40-year tradition. The quartet has been a prominent feature in the University’s artistic endeavors since its inception in 1980, having studied with Robert Koff, a member of Julliard’s string quartet.
Is anyone else tired of sad girl pop? In recent years, the pop landscape has been flooded with Phoebe Bridgers and Lana Del Rey lookalikes, bringing us ballads that, while beautifully emotional, just wear the listener down after a while. The state of the world is depressing enough — we need escapist pop anthems to make us get up from our existential crises and dance. That’s why people latched onto Sabrina Carpenter’s lead single, “Espresso,” so strongly. From the track’s beachy, disco-pop sound to Carpenter declaring, “My give-a-fucks are on vacation,” “Espresso” filled the gap in the genre of feel-good music. Social media soon became addicted to “that me espresso” — whatever that truly means. With the subsequent release of Carpenter’s sixth studio album “Short n’ Sweet,” fans are confident that the five-foot-tall pop princess has brewed up a masterpiece.
At 2:00 pm on Oct. 18, the Brandeis faculty met in Rapaporte Treasure Hall for their monthly meeting. The meeting opened with Chair of the Faculty Senate Prof. Jeffrey Lenowitz (POL) giving a welcoming address, informing the staff of a change in timing of the next meeting in order to be able to accommodate an address from Interim President Arthur Levine, Ph.D. ’70. Additionally Lenowitz stated “Though leadership is changing at the University, the structural problems are not. So to this end, I want to assure you all that the senate remains dedicated to working with the administration to ensure that these are addressed in a manner that safeguards faculty interests.” He also discussed future plans to hear and address faculty concerns such as a survey and small group meetings.
For performing arts groups, the beginning of a new academic year is a time of excitement and novelty. Auditions bring in new members, and preparations for an exciting new set of performances are set into motion. This year, however, came with an unexpected obstacle: the University had decided to restrict the amount of time per week for which these groups could reserve rehearsal space. With a new four hour per week restriction, groups have been forced to adapt in order to continue their usual rehearsal schedules.
This fall, Waltham High School students stepped into their brand new building for the first time — a high school that combines traditional classroom learning and vocational programs. The state of the art building allows students to explore a wide range of educational options and decide which style of learning best suits their academic needs.
This fall, Brandeis University is set to host the inaugural Albertine French Film Festival, bringing a rich selection of contemporary French films to campus. Through a series of screenings at the Wasserman Cinematheque, running from Oct. 25 to Nov. 19, the festival will showcase works that resonate with global audiences while also offering a glimpse into French perspectives on such issues.
Throughout her work as a trailblazing political philosopher and a proponent of education and community action, Dr. Danielle Allen has remained grounded in her belief that people should always have the freedom to ask “how" instead of “if.” As a self-proclaimed lover of “how” questions, Allen has tapped into the power of building spaces for conversation where collaboration and connection are paramount. Protecting the agency of individuals and their communities invests power in them as co-creators of our shared democracy: this philosophy motivates Allen to base her career around the idea of “democracy renovation.”
For a school of less than 4,000 undergraduate students, Brandeis holds an impressive array of diverse dance clubs. Even more impressive is students’ palpable devotion to strengthening the already commanding presence that dance has on the Brandeis campus and creating a space for this unique form of physical activity and art. In the words of Ballet Club Co-President Lilliana Aspromonte ’25, the ultimate “goal is to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and is able to dance.”
As the singer and guitarist of the Lowell, Massachusetts based band The P.A.’s, Ellis Roundy’s role within the group exists at the intersection of music, storytelling and graphic design. With a distinct focus on world-building that is largely grounded in Hebrew, Tolkien-esque and other mythologies, Roundy and his bandmates — Joe Milia (drums), Ian Miller (synth and keys) and Liam Asselin (bass) — have weaved a continuous narrative throughout their last few projects.
In an era where services like Ancestry.com and 23andMe make genetic testing as easy as mailing a saliva sample to a lab, what are the implications of these technologies in the context of political surveillance? This was the question that author Sheri T. Joseph had in mind after attending a lecture that discussed Adolf Hitler’s attempts to develop a blood test that would detect Jewish and Romani children who appeared Aryan. Through the story of Alexandra Tashen, a refugee looking to find her father across nations while risking being caught at every security checkpoint, Joseph explores the potential consequences of DNA technologies on genetic privacy in her debut novel, “Edge of the Known World.”
Brandeis’ Craft Market returned to campus on Saturday Sept. 28 as booths of students and local artists populated the Fellows Garden. Pottery, keychains, crochet and illustrations showcased the unique skills of new and returning sellers. Though the event leadership recently changed to the Brandeis Art Club, the new forces behind it show that the community’s dedication to the arts is difficult to squash.
On a chilly Tuesday evening, Boston University Radio and the Rose Art Museum collaborated in curating a public forum and conversation surrounding Hugh Hayden and his collection “Home Work.” The conversation, held at WBUR City Space in Boston on Sept. 24, started promptly at 6 p.m. as journalist and artist Arielle Gray led the conversation surrounding Hayden’s work as it pertains to Black and brown communities.
On Monday, Sept. 23 at 8:51 a.m., faculty members received an email from Chair of the Brandeis Faculty Senate Prof. Jeffrey Lenowitz (POL) regarding the results of the vote of the motion of no confidence in Brandeis University President Ronald Liebowitz. This email stated “The motion has passed, with 159 votes in favor, 149 votes in opposition, and 26 abstensions.”
The University’s recent decision to lay off approximately 60 staff positions has left many students to unwillingly take on some of the responsibilities left behind,without compensation. This year, the Office of Sustainability and Brandeis Arts Engagement are defunct. With no staff to spearhead them, the initiatives that these programs facilitated risk fading into memory without student intervention. This board intends to recognize students’ hard work in the face of diminished support from the University.
In an open letter to the Brandeis community on March 28, 2024, University President Ronald Liebowitz called for an examination of the Principles of Free Speech and Free Expression. Liebowitz declared that Brandeis has a proud history of openness and said that the University is “at an appropriate juncture to conduct a review of these principles and how university policies and procedures relate to them.”
On Friday, Sept. 20, the Rose Art Museum announced via an Instagram post that on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. Hugh Hayden, the artist behind the Rose’s current exhibit “Hugh Hayden: Home Work,” will discuss his work “highlighting his visceral and multilayered sculptures that integrate the ‘American Dream.’” The conversation will be moderated by WBUR reporter Arielle Gray. Tickets are free to all who register for the event through the Rose’s Instagram link tree.
In the first days of the fall semester, a new Instagram account cropped up with the name “Brandeis Protects Artists.” In their “Who are we?” statement on Instagram, BPA explained, “Our mission is to foster a united front for artists from diverse backgrounds through unions, support groups, and initiatives that protect and promote creativity in every field. We are committed to expanding resources and opportunities for artists, ensuring they have the support needed to thrive.” This statement seemingly came in response to the diminishing value Brandeis has for arts programming. In the past year, the University has cut the doctorate programs in musicology and music composition, in addition to Brandeis Arts Engagement, a vital resource for students across disciplines interested in the arts. With staff layoffs and budget cuts, many feel the University is failing to prioritize and honor the “arts” segment of a liberal arts institution. In creating BPA, students are pushing back.
In the face of violence and conflict in our world, we must ask: How can we repair the fractures within our communities? How do we heal, rebuild and grow in the aftermath of strife?
On Monday, Sept. 23 at 8:51 a.m., faculty members received an email from Chair of the Brandeis Faculty Senate Prof. Jeffrey Lenowitz (POL) regarding the results of the vote of the motion of no confidence in Brandeis University President Ronald Liebowitz. This email stated “The motion has passed, with 159 votes in favor, 149 votes in opposition, and 26 abstensions.”
For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the autumn equinox happens every September and marks the official start of the fall season. This year, the equinox happened on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 8:44 a.m., and as the crisp air settles in and leaves begin to turn, Waltham transforms into a picturesque backdrop for fall adventures. Here are some of the best seasonal spots and activities: