(02/13/12 5:00am)
The Student Union hosted a town hall forum last night on the proposed Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority fare hikes and service cuts to hear opinions from students who would be affected if the changes were to take place. Student Union President Herbie Rosen '12, Student Union Vice President Gloria Park '13 and Senior Vice President of Communication and External Affairs Andrew Gully ran the meeting. Rosen opened the forum by explaining the possible changes to the MBTA, which include two different scenarios. According to a document published by the MBTA last month, one scenario would include fare hikes that could rise as high as $2.40 for a subway ride and $7 for a ride on the Fitchburg commuter rail line into Boston from the Brandeis/Roberts station. In addition, it would include service cuts. The second scenario would include "slightly lower fare increases but larger service reductions." In both scenarios, commuter rail service into Boston on the weekend and weekdays after 10 p.m. would be cut. Students who attended the meeting voiced objection to the proposed scenarios, saying that they would negatively affect students' ability to travel to and from Boston. One student, who wished to remain anonymous for privacy reasons, said that higher fares and decreased service would result in fewer people traveling into Boston to shop and spend money, which would hurt Massachusetts' economy. "The entire eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island region, which is like seven and a half million people, [is] going to be affected in one way or another because of this," the student said. "We need to basically say as students … who use the commuter rail, we will not stand for this." Other students noted that while many local residents who would be affected would rely on cars more, this would not be feasible for many college students who do not own cars. Those who attended the forum also discussed prospective students' decisions to come to Brandeis because of its proximity to Boston and the ability to go into the city via commuter rail. They said that college students would be affected more than other local residents because of their already constrained budgets and inability to rely on more expensive forms of transportation, such as taxis and cars. "[This will] disproportionately affect college students versus other people," said Asaf Reich '12. Gully noted that the cuts will not only affect students but also staff and faculty, who utilize the commuter rail to commute to and from the University. In an interview with the Justice, Park said that the meeting, which was attended by three students, was "small-scale" but that "it was good to see that students cared ... and shared their opinion." Park said that she looks forward to spreading the word to the student body. Rosen said that the Student Union will move forward by sending out a survey and petition to the student body and preparing to attend one of the MBTA's local town hall -style meetings. One such meeting will be held in Waltham at the Government Center Auditorium on March 1 from 6 to 8 p.m.
(02/13/12 5:00am)
The Student Union Senate is considering changes to the way student clubs are recognized, but some members dispute how certain problems should be addressed by the Senate and one member walked out of last Sunday's meeting.
(01/23/12 5:00am)
This February, University President Frederick Lawrence and a delegation of professors and administrators will leave for a two-week trip to India in order to explore networking and partnership opportunities, according to a Jan. 13 BrandeisNOW press release. The trip, which is scheduled to take place from Feb. 2 to 12, will include visits to Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. In an email to the Justice, Lawrence wrote that he and the members of his party will meet with scientists and university administrators, in addition to civil rights and social justice activists and alumni "who are working to make India and the world a better, healthier place." University News Director Charles Radin, Director of the International Center for Ethics, Justice, and Public Life Daniel Terris, Prof. Bulbul Chakraborty (PHYS), Helaine and Alvin Allen Assistant Professor of Literature Harleen Singh (SAS), Prof. Preeta Banerjee (IBS) and Julie Smith-Bartoloni '90 from the Office of Development and Alumni Relations will accompany Lawrence on this trip. In an interview with the Justice, Radin said that Lawrence will meet with various leaders in Delhi, such as Atul Punj, chairman of the Punj Lloyd Group, and Israeli ambassador to India Alon Ushpiz. Lawrence will also speak at two public forums: one in Delhi with former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabjee, who delivered a lecture at the University in April 2010, and one in Mumbai titled "Seeking Social Justice." In Bangalore, Lawrence will visit the National Centre for Biological Sciences, the Indian School of Business and Director of the Indian Institute of Science Professor P. Balaram. Lawrence will also make a two-day stop in Singapore with Terris, where he will meet with President of Singapore Management University Arnoud De Meyer, President of the National University of Singapore Tan Chorh Chuan and Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS Professor Kishmore Mahbubani, who was the former Singaporean ambassador to the United Nations. Lawrence will also meet with prospective students in both countries. The structure and goals of this trip are similar to that of Lawrence's trip to Israel last summer. According to Lawrence in the email, both trips are a part of the Brandeis Global Initiative, which was developed by the Office of Global Affairs. "We are working to identify a limited number of countries in major regions of the world where the most valuable collaborations can be formed between Brandeis and local institutions," wrote Lawrence. The trips to India and Israel were scheduled first because of the University's existing connections in those countries, but the office is also "carefully exploring" potential additional collaborations with other countries. Radin said that the University already has ongoing partnerships with institutions such as The Energy and Resources Institute in Delhi. In Bangalore, Profs. Eve Marder (BIOL) and Chakraborty have ongoing research connections, which have "laid the groundwork" for more potential collaborations, said Radin. Lawrence wrote that there is a "vast potential" for partnership between the United States and India, especially in the fields of science, social justice and sustainable development. Radin said he hopes this trip will result in an increase in students from the India studying at the University, more study abroad opportunities for Brandeis students in India and further development with the Global Initiative. During his trip to Israel, Lawrence recounted many of his experiences on his blog. Radin confirmed Lawrence will continue to update his blog while he is in India.
(01/23/12 5:00am)
Earlier this month, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority proposed a reduction in operating hours and an increase in fare prices to go into effect this July in order to close the growing deficit gap while still continuing to provide their services. We're pleased that Student Union President Herbie Rosen '12 raised this issue in an email to the student body that encouraged students to oppose the cuts. Given our dependence on these services as a university and the potential negative ramifications of these changes, we encourage the student body to get involved in the discussion. Further, we urge the University to begin looking at providing alternative methods of transportation if these proposals should pass. The MBTA is considering two different scenarios, both of which would result in cutting the service hours of the Fitchburg commuter rail line after 10 p.m. on weekdays and completely eliminating service on weekends. The agency is also planning on decreasing the frequency of the 553 bus from Brandeis/Roberts Station to downtown Boston, often used by students and university employees. Further, the fare prices of the commuter rail and subway are both set to increase. While Brandeis' proximity to Boston is often promoted in the University's brochures and booklets, these proposed cuts would certainly strain this connection. By limiting the commuter rail's service hours on weekdays and eliminating them on weekends, traveling back to the University from South Station, Logan Airport, internships or jobs would become time-consuming and expensive. The University should start planning how they are going to address the cuts given the impact they are going to have on campus. While the Riverside shuttles failed to gain support last semester, the Union should rethink providing a shuttle to the Riverside T station as the commuter rail becomes less available. The administration may also want to increase the number of shuttles currently offered Thursday through Sunday, open the service to other days earlier in the week and start operating earlier in the morning on weekends. Perhaps the University should consider charging students to operate the additional buses. While not ideal, a small fee compensates for the inconvenience of the commuter rail hours. Graduate students and University employees who rely on public transportation would also appreciate these shuttles taking the place of buses or the commuter rail. While it seems these cuts are under serious consideration, the Boston Globe recently reported the cuts may not be enough to bridge the deficit gap and bring the agency out of their financial sinkhole. As these plans appear to be flexible and the MBTA is open to suggestions, Mr. Rosen has encouraged students to voice their concerns to the agency by signing up for Waltham's Town Hall Forum at the Government Center Auditorium on March 1 discuss the proposals. We echo the Union's sentiments and also encourage the administration to begin looking into employing additional shuttles if these cuts are made.
(01/23/12 5:00am)
This February, University President Frederick Lawrence and a delegation of professors and administrators will leave for a two-week trip to India in order to explore networking and partnership opportunities, according to a Jan. 13 BrandeisNOW press release.
(12/12/11 5:00am)
The Senate Log incorrectly stated the amount of a Senate Money Resolution. The SMR for pictures for the Student Union bulletin board was for $75, not for $151.71. (Dec. 6, pg. 2) An article in Forum incorrectly described an Israeli family. The family should have been described as "the Sumarian family," not "a Sumarian family"; Sumarian is the family name. (Dec. 6, pg. 11) The Justice welcomes submissions for errors that warrant correction or clarification. Email editor@
thejustice.org.
(12/05/11 5:00am)
This week, Student Union President Herbie Rosen '12 will deliver his State of the Union address to the community. While Rosen will update the student body about any upcoming Union initiatives and discuss the process of forming the strategic plan, the Union has decided to operate the address like a town hall meeting, where students will be allowed to ask the president questions. We encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity and let their voices be heard on issues that are important to them. The format of the event is a welcome departure from previous Union addresses. While past addresses have featured the president's speech, this new style will allow Mr. Rosen to relay any pertinent information to students first in his speech and then open the floor for questions. Mr. Rosen will be then be joined by a panel of other Union representatives who will answer questions from the audience. Following the question-and-answer session, the Union president, along with Provost Steve Goldstein '78 and Andrew Flagel, the senior vice president for Students and Enrollment, will examine the strategic planning process with students. Through this new system, students are able to communicate directly with the Union and administration in an unprecedented way. We applaud Mr. Rosen's attempt to incorporate the strategic planning initiative into the town hall meeting. As the strategic plan is currently being assembled, allowing students to be part of the discussion on the future of the University will only help the strategic planning committee during this process. Students can lend their voices and help shape the plan that will undoubtedly affect their time at Brandeis. Further, this format creates transparency between the administration and the student body, encouraging a healthy relationship between the two communities. This editorial board acknowledges Mr. Rosen's dedication to creatively gathering student opinion through this new town hall format. His genuine concern for feedback from the student body is refreshing and we support him to continue his efforts. Creating a forum for students to feel comfortable questioning the Union and administration's initiatives will facilitate a productive conversation, that is beneficial to the entire Brandeis community. This editorial board encourages students to attend the town hall meeting with their questions and ideas. Students should take this opportunity to help steer the University toward a cohesive vision.
(12/05/11 5:00am)
(11/21/11 5:00am)
This week on Glee, Glee Club leader Finn (Cory Monteith) outed lesbian cheerleader Santana (Naya Rivera) in the middle of McKinley High School's famously homophobic hallways during a heated argument. Since the episode aired, fans of Finn have claimed that Santana has famously been a bully and that she deserved to be outed. Santana fans fired back, calling Finn's actions unforgivable.
(11/21/11 5:00am)
Last Friday, Provost Steve Goldstein '78 sent an email to the Brandeis community describing the manner in which the Strategic Planning Steering Committee will move forward as it begins its work. While Mr. Goldstein mentioned several methods in which student input will be solicited, there are more effective ways to obtain students' opinion in order to get more thoughtful and well-considered opinions. In his email, Dr. Goldstein wrote that "undergraduates will convene a Student Advisory Committee to engage the student body through a series of town hall meetings, forums and online surveys" in order to inform the student representative to the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, Student Union President Herbie Rosen '12. We approve of the creation of such a committee: Having students from different aspects of the student body informing Mr. Rosen as he works on the larger committee will be useful and will ensure that different facets of student life are represented. However, as the town hall meetings for the Constitutional Review Committee two years ago and the presidential search last year proved—some meetings had no students in attendance, others very few—holding open forums for all members of the general student body is not an effective way of gathering representative opinions. Perhaps offering some sort of incentives, such as food or giveaways, would boost attendance. There may be an even more effective approach, though: The Student Advisory Committee would be better served by asking focus groups to give their opinions on the different aspects of student life. By convening groups of club leaders, members of the student government, members of Greek life, commuters and other groups representative of specific aspects of the student experience at Brandeis, the committee would gain valuable insights into the issues that will be critical to the strategic planning process. Online surveys are a better way to reach out to all of the undergraduates than town hall meetings, as many more students are likely to respond to an email than to attend one of the meetings. But as the email questionnaires about the search for the provost and senior vice president for Students and Enrollment last year showed, questions on those surveys need to be accessible to students. For example, last year's survey sent out by then Student Union President Daniel Acheampong '11 on the provost search asked: "What are the most important areas to be improved within the Provost's authority?" Students filling out this survey had little ability to answer this question, as most were unaware of the provost's role at the University. Questions should be geared toward subjects of which students have direct knowledge, and the survey should be advertised in ways that will make students interested in participating. Again, some targeted surveys might help the committee reach out to parts of the student body that are otherwise not represented, but one general survey to students would be a way to ensure that everyone who is interested in expressing his or her opinion can be heard. At a time in which our university is considering its goals and values, we have a unique opportunity to make our voices heard. It is our responsibility to speak out, and the Student Advisory Committee to the Strategic Planning Steering Committee should do its best to reach out to those students who are interested in contributing to this important conversation.
(11/21/11 5:00am)
Provost Steve Goldstein '78 announced in an email to faculty, students and staff that a steering committee has been formed to begin the strategic planning process that University President Frederick Lawrence initiated earlier this year. Goldstein will serve as the chair of the committee. According to his email, the "talented and diverse committee" includes faculty, deans, undergraduate students, graduate students, trustees and members of the senior administration. Notable members of the Brandeis community on the committee include Prof. Anita Hill (Heller), the senior adviser to the provost; Chief Executive Officer of the Davis Companies and the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees Jonathan Davis '75; and Chief of Staff of the Office of the President David Bunis '83. The committee had an introductory meeting yesterday. Lawrence charged the committee and "set [them] off with a robust and exciting introduction to his view of the process. He brought energy to the table about being bold and at the same time practical," said Goldstein in an interview with the Justice. The committee will meet for five or six hours once a month for a year. "The timeline is that we expect to present the board of trustees with a completed plan for their approval by December a year from now, so it's a yearlong process," said Goldstein. The students on the committee are Student Union President Herbie Rosen '12 and Graduate Student Association representative Michael Singer. Undergraduate students will be represented in the process through a Student Advisory Committee, which will hold town hall meetings, forums and online surveys. Rosen will accept applications from students who want to be on the committee. "I'm going to be looking for students from all different fields. I want to hit all corners of the University," he said in an interview with the Justice. "Our concerns can't be turned away." The Graduate Student Association will hold similar events to represent graduate students, according to Goldstein's email. The University hired Elaine Kuttner of Cambridge Concord Associates as a consultant to the committee. The five academic deans and six professors will also serve on the committee. "President Lawrence and I are deeply grateful to committee members for their willingness to assume this demanding service, and we thank the Faculty Senate Council for its guidance during the committee selection process," wrote Goldstein in his email. Goldstein also announced the scheduling of information gathering sessions. According to his email, faculty and staff can sign up for a session online. These campus-wide discussions, which will begin the next week, will help develop the strategic plan. All input received from these planning discussions will be posted on a strategic planning website sometime in December, according to Goldstein. Goldstein's email also thanked members of the community in advance for their participation. "We need your input to produce a vibrant and successful plan that will propel us into a future as bold and discerning as the act of our formation," he wrote. "There was a palpable sense of opportunity and anticipation in the room," said Goldstein of yesterday's first meeting. "That was very exciting."
(11/14/11 5:00am)
State Representative Tackey Chan '95 returned to Brandeis last Thursday to speak about his experiences in public service at the third-annual Government Careers Forum and Networking Night hosted by the Hiatt Career Center and held in the Hassenfeld Conference Center. Chan's speech encapsulated the theme of the Government Careers Forum, which had 25 agencies attending, including the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service, the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General and the Peace Corps. Chan focused his speech around "how to get from point A to point B by going through point Z." He used his own career as an example, recounting how he began by working for State Senator Michael W. Morrissey and was recently elected as state representative in Quincy, Mass. He also stated that one of his goals is to become the junior senator for Massachusetts. Throughout his address, Chan remarked on his attraction to politics and public service despite pressures to go into the rapidly growing computer science field. "I was always intrigued by politics because it's about people," said Chan. He said that public service gave him a great deal of satisfaction, knowing that he had influenced other individuals. With self-deprecating humor, Chan reiterated that public service does not pay well, claiming to have "made no more than $30,000" per year in the past, yet still affirmed that is well worth the sacrifice. Chan worked as general counsel and legislative director for Morrissey from 1995 to 2007 after graduating from Brandeis. He then served as an assistant attorney general in Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office of Ratepayer Advocacy from 2007 to 2010. He obtained his juris doctorate from the New England School of Law in 2003. On a more relatable level, Chan told the audience that he worked at the Hiatt Career Center and the Goldfarb Library as an undergraduate at Brandeis. In discussion of his recent election to the state legislature, Chan commented on recognizing an opportunity when it presents itself. "There's always going to be opportunity out there, but are you smart enough to recognize what it is? And are you smart enough to take it or pass it by?" he said. Chan's opportunity arose after the former state senator retired, leaving an opening. Despite nearly 15 years of public service experience, Chan cited several obstacles to his campaign, namely being an Asian-American democrat. First, he was running against an Irish Catholic in a district with only a 20-percent Asian population. Also, the Republican Party made some major gains in 2010, especially with the election of Scott Brown as U.S. Senator for Massachusetts. Chan humorously described his campaign strategy as knocking on every Asian-American door in Quincy asking for votes, "even if they didn't speak Chinese or English." After he had sent 72,000 pieces of literature to 22,000 homes, Chan won the election, defeating the Republican and Independent candidates. In his closing remarks, Chan told the audience that "the message is ‘You can do this, if you really want. You can win, if you really want to.'" He also said that he aspires to become a U.S. Senator for Massachusetts, but right now, he is enjoying the moment. "Enjoy the moment … because you only get one," he concluded. Though many of those attending the event were from Brandeis, some students came from as far as Tufts University and Stonehill College for the event. Caroline O'Shea, assistant director of employer relations for Hiatt, told the attendees that the event was not a career fair but rather a networking opportunity. Students had 15 to 20 minutes to socialize with an agency representative before a bell rang, signaling them to change tables. The event was also structured so that students could network with each other. While checking in for the forum, students were instructed to put a blue sticker on their name tag if they had previously worked for a government employer. Hiatt staff encouraged students to mingle with each other in order to get information about potential internships and jobs.
(10/31/11 4:00am)
Johns, Lichtenstein, de Kooning, Warhol. These names are familiar, but you aren't quite sure of their significance. You peruse the vast halls where museums house their treasures. Walking what seems to be an endless path of paintings and sculptures, you see the various names of their creators etched upon a bronze plaque below. You wonder how Ellsworth Kelly's "Blue White" shows minimalism or how Max Weber's "Seated Woman" reflects subtle Jewish themes. You wonder if someone else shares your questions or if anyone can answer them. Recently, the Rose Art Museum unveiled a new student guide program to accompany its myriad works and help visitors navigate the museum. The new tours will change how students visit the Rose Art Museum after its reopening this past week. "The tours are a new and great opportunity for students to interact with art," said Rebecca Pollack '13, an Art History major and one of nine gallery guides for the museum this semester. In addition, Pollack is a member of the Student Committee for the Rose Art Museum, a student group that works with the Rose to organize events for students. Though the program is first opening this semester, its development has been in the works since last spring. Over the course of several meetings, the museum was able to gather the input of several students and art lovers alike, listening to what each group wanted out of the program. The gallery guides underwent an intense two-day weekend training session in April, according to Diana Flatto '12, who is working as a guide this semester and previously worked as a guard for the museum. The premise of the training was "based on simple guiding to more comprehensive visual expression, thinking and how people perceive art." In addition, those students chosen as guides have continued to train throughout this semester, with two-hour sessions each week. Though the guide program is open to all applicants, it is recommended that those who apply have at least a background in art. Although the museum has been on campus since 1961, prior to this semester, no official guide program was offered at the Rose. In some special circumstances last year, Director of Academic Programs for the Rose Art Museum Dabney Hailey had visual thinking programs for anyone who wished to come. This year, students have an opportunity to enjoy a more hands-on approach to the works of the museum. "The most exciting part about the program is [that] it is run by students," Pollack said. "Brandeis students giving tours for Brandeis students: [It's about] mutual contribution and critical thinking, whose purpose is to look at art in new ways together, and not for me to talk at you," she said. This method of guidance will be done with the use of visual thinking strategies. The idea is that a tour guide will invite the group to look at and silently analyze a work of art for approximately one minute, after which they will ask the group what is happening concerning the piece. In this way, every idea discussed is that of the tour group rather than that of the guide. In addition to the guide program, a new feature for the Rose Art Museum is the incorporation of iPod Touches, allowing people quick and easy access to information about works of art. Though anyone from Brandeis can contact the museum and book a tour, the guide program is primarily geared toward clubs or classes, according to Pollack and Flatto. And although it is a small program, with only nine guides so far, each tour will be led by more than one guide. "No tour will be led alone, there's always going to be someone with you, ... one guide leading and the other listening," Pollack said. Currently, the majority of guides for the museum are involved in some sort of art on campus, be it for their major or a club. Still others are majoring in education. However, many of the guides are people simply focused on and admirers of art. Though art is not their major, several of these students in the past took a few Art History or Studio Art classes, enjoying them enough to help serve the museum. Guides like Pollack hope that the program will attract tour groups filled with art-intensive people as well as those looking to pique their interest in the subject. In addition, the program will provide an open forum for students to express their artistic opinions. "It's our museum, a great asset we have on campus. Every Brandeis student should experience it," Pollack said. "The Rose was built 50 years ago so Brandeis students could learn about art," Pollack said on the Rose's close proximity to students. "It's a fabulous museum, probably one of the best university museum collections that there is. We're here. It's a really great resource for anything from art history to sculpting to painting," she said. The guided tours are now open to the public since the Rose reopening last week. "Some people don't even realize the Rose is open, … and it's a shame. It's a great museum with a really great collection," she said. "We want to get students involved with the Rose again," Flatto added about the program's purpose.
(10/25/11 4:00am)
Sam Vaghar '08 lost every election he ran in during high school. Like many students, Vaghar says that, in those four years, he "just didn't fit in." So when he got to Brandeis, he decided to do the exact opposite of what he did in high school. In his first year at Brandeis, he made the extra effort to meet everyone in his class by going door to door while running for positions in student government and the Student Union. It was then that Vaghar realized he had the skills to be a leader.
(10/25/11 4:00am)
BTV's challenges have precedent
(10/24/11 4:00am)
Last Tuesday, the Hiatt Career Center sponsored its third annual Biotech, Healthcare and Science Forum called "Discovery Without Borders." The forum began with a panel presentation followed by a question-and-answer session and 20-minute speed networking sessions. The event, which was held in Sherman Function Hall, drew 240 students, according to Joseph DuPont, director of Hiatt. Twenty-five employers attended the forum, including high-profile companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Shire Pharmaceuticals. Provost Steve Goldstein '78 moderated the event, which included a panel composed of Glen Cowley '88, a research scientist at the Broad Institute; Robert Sackstein, a bone marrow transplant physician, biomedical researcher and professor at Harvard Medical School; and Amber Toll, director and senior human resources business partner for Shire Pharmaceuticals. Goldstein directed each of his questions to a different panelist, asking what employers are looking for in students, how the medical and biotech industries have changed over the past years and the importance of collaboration between different professions, companies and countries in an age of globalization. Sackstein, who was described by Goldstein as a man who professionally "wears many hats" because of his many areas of involvement in the medical industry, emphasized the necessity of pursuing a career that one is truly excited and passionate about. "Identify yourself early on; what gets you out of bed in the morning? You want to find something that really captures your enthusiasm. … You will be amazed what you can do with only your own energy," said Sackstein. When asked what would make a student an appealing hire to Shire Pharmaceuticals, Toll said that, in addition to having extensive experience in the lab and having several internships, the "softer skills" are also essential. "The ability to work with other people and collaborate is very important; you must have a certain level of emotional intelligence. [A student should be] bright, open and able to get along with people. If you can't, we don't want to deal with it," said Toll. Cowley spoke about the changes in biotechnology and the importance of communication and collaboration in a globalized world. Cowley said that when he was a student, the Internet was still in its infancy, and being global did not mean what it does today. "Now being global means I am on the phone with people in Korea or Belgium at 8 o'clock at night. … Things have changed a lot in the last five or 10 years. … The ability to communicate clearly is essential; you don't have to be bilingual, but you must be able to communicate and explain your science," said Cowley. Following the panel presentation was a 30-minute Q-and-A session, followed by speed networking, which gave students an opportunity to meet with prospective employers. Cary Weir Lytle '98, associate director of employer relations at Hiatt, gave the closing remarks. Rachel Danzig '12, an HSSP major, said after the event, "I found the forum to be extremely educational and I feel like I was given a lot more information toward finding a job for next year. I am definitely glad I came." "This year's forum was more helpful than last year['s] because I was able to gain more from the knowledge of all of the experts as I enter the workforce [next year]. It was also a great networking opportunity," said Natali Baner '12, a Neuroscience and Biology major who hopes to become a pediatric neurologist. In an interview with the Justice, DuPont said that aside from looking at the curriculum and the capability of students, the connections that Brandeis maintains with its alumni was what allowed Hiatt to draw such prominent companies and organizations to the biotech forum. "We can literally pick up the phone and say, ‘Can you come to this event? Can you help us champion [Brandeis] students?' … The fact that most people had a great experience at Brandeis makes them willing to do that," said DuPont.
(10/11/11 4:00am)
An article in News about the Occupy Wall Street protests misspelled the given name of a student that attended one of the protests. She is Hanna Wellish '12, not Hannah Wellish. (Oct. 4, pg. 3) The Brandeis Talks Back feature in Forum included a picture of Hannah Simms '14 accompanying a quotation from Clair Weatherby '12. The photo should have been of Weatherby. (Oct. 4, pg. 6) An article in Arts misspelled the name of Indian henna and an Indian type of music. Indian henna is spelled mehndi, not mandhi, and the type of music is sangeet, not sungeep. (Oct. 4, pg. 16) The Justice welcomes submissions for errors that warrant correction or clarification. Email editor@thejustice.org.
(09/27/11 4:00am)
Last Wednesday, Hillel at Brandeis sponsored the "Talk Israel Initiative" on the Great Lawn, an event aimed at encouraging discussion about the Middle East among university students.
(09/27/11 4:00am)
An article in News incorrectly stated that Prof. Dan Perlman (BIOL) was involved in the research that led to the creation of Smart Balance. In fact, it was Prof. Daniel Perlman (PHYS) who contributed to the research that led to the product. (Sept. 20, pg. 3) An article in News incorrectly implied that the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies department was two separate departments, when it is, in fact, one department. (Sept. 20, pg. 7) The Brandeis Talks Back feature in Forum misspelled the surname of an interviewed student. The student's name is Sivan Levine '13, not Sivan Levin. (Sept. 20, pg. 10) The Justice welcomes submissions for errors that warrant correction or clarification. Email editor@thejustice.org.
(09/13/11 4:00am)
The University along with the Hiatt Career Center and the Heller School for Social Policy and Management hosted the SoJust Leadership Forum last Tuesday in the Hassenfeld Conference center in Upper Sherman. The forum, titled "Journeys in Social Justice, Beyond Brandeis," was designed to encourage students to pursue careers in social justice and utilize resources that are largely available to them at Brandeis. Prof. David Cunningham (SOC) opened the program with a few remarks on what it means to pursue social justice during one's career at Brandeis and far beyond it as well. Cunningham also spoke about what the event was essentially designed to accomplish, saying that the SoJust forum was crafted to sustainably connect current and former University students in their efforts to work toward careers in social justice in the nonprofit and private sector worlds. Following Cunningham's opening remarks, the panel began the informal question-and-answer segment of the evening. The panel consisted of Yaser Robles '03, substitute lecturer of Social Sciences at Bronx Community College; Andrew Slack '02, executive director of the Harry Potter Alliance; Rosaline Salifu MA/SID '11, a former program manager for the Social Investment Fund in Ghana; Maicharia Lytle, executive director of Lift Boston; and David Warren '85, director of education for the Anti-Defamation League. Several questions were posed to the panelists, ranging from their personal experiences at Brandeis to the immense difficulty they faced when trying to plan their ultimate or ideal careers in social justice. When asked to describe his journey from Brandeis to his current position as director of education for the Anti-Defamation League, Warren spoke about how his initial academic comforts were not necessarily the right skills to depend on. "Back when I was in school, internship and practicum opportunities weren't what they are now, so I really had a very linear path," Warren said. "I was a Politics major here, and I really had a sense all the way through that, based on what I perceived to be my skill set over time, and after a number of different experiences and opportunities, I came to discover skills I never thought I'd be exercising." In an email to the Justice, Student Union President Herbie Rosen '12, who helped promote and plan the forum, wrote, "Members from the Hiatt Career Center, Ethics Center, and the Schuster Institute [for Investigative Journalism] wanted to put more emphasis on the social justice that Brandeis is known for. What better way than to invite Brandeis alumni who have pursued a social justice route in their professional lives after Brandeis?" "I think the main goal was to get a conversation going on what students could do with social justice outside of school. It was also a networking event, and we created a nice atmosphere to fulfill both goals," Rosen wrote. In an interview with the Justice, Haley Orlofsky '14 spoke about how the informal Q-and-A with the panelists inspired her to pursue her dream of working toward a career in social justice. "Personally, I've always had a passion for social justice and I'm still learning and trying to figure out what direction I want to go in," said Orlofsky, "And it's refreshing to hear from people and know that it's okay to not know 100 percent how to do it, but that all the experiences along the way are what help you achieve that," she said. When asked why she attended the event, Caroline Duchin '13, spoke about the resourcefulness of the event. "I hope from this event to gain more of an idea of what people do in general, related to social justice at Brandeis and afterward," she said in an interview with the Justice.
