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A local Waltham organization works to uphold democracy

Indivisible Waltham, a social justice group designed to uphold democracy, is dedicated to holding protests against the Trump Administration throughout the Waltham area. The community was formed as a part of the Indivisible movement, which is a network of thousands of local groups across all 50 states. The Indivisible movement sprouted a few months ago as a means to push back against perceived infringes on democracy by “big money in our government,” as stated on their website. The Waltham group coordinates its protests with 50510 gatherings. The 50510 movement was also formed to uphold a democratic society after Trump took office. Indivisible Waltham’s specific mission is “to fight in defense of American democracy, currently under attack by the executive branch of government."

Letter to the Editor — John Plotz

To the Editors:

Letter to the Editor — Jon Hochschartner

Fund cultivated-meat research to stop pandemics

2025 Commencement speakers announced

On April 2, Interim President Arthur Levine sent an email to the Brandeis community announcing that Professor Jonathon D. Sarna ’75 (NEJS), a historian of American Judaism, and the Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson, a theoretical physicist and higher-education leader, will be the keynote speakers for Brandeis’ 74th Commencement ceremonies. 

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.

“Every Death from TB is a Choice”: Brandeis community members join U.S. lobbying day for tuberculosis awareness

 When many Americans think of tuberculosis, they imagine a disease of the past — a relic of the Victorian Era, long since relegated to history books. But for the students, professors and activists gathering in Washington, D.C. on April 8 and 9, the tuberculosis disease is a present and pressing global crisis. 

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.

Brandeis Jewish Bund holds protest to go “All out for Palestine”

 On Friday, April 4 at 4:00 p.m., the Brandeis Jewish Bund gathered on the Great Lawn for a demonstration and marched along Loop Road in support of Palestine. The gathering aimed to condemn the University’s “complicity in the ongoing genocide of Palestinians,” the Trump administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests/disappearances and the forces of U.S. imperialism, as explained in an April 2 post on the Bund’s Instagram page. Over the course of the demonstration, around 100 individuals gathered outside the University’s entrance, and onlookers ranged from administrative staff and faculty to eventual counter-protesters. 

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.

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.

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. 

Decolonizing Environmentalism

Brandeis administration to start engineering major for class of 2030

In the fall of 2026, Brandeis will formally launch an engineering major as part of the Interdepartmental Program in Engineering Science. Since spring of 2023, the University has offered several classes relating to engineering, teaching a combined total of between 60 and 80 students. The major, like many others at Brandeis, will be built upon an interdisciplinary background with the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, which means making the world a better place. Engineering majors will be required to take classes outside the sciences, and students from other majors will be able to enroll in engineering classes. The program is meant to foster engineering sympathy, or the ability to take the skills learned from engineering classes and bring them back to the community, said Vincent Calia-Bogan ’25, the undergraduate department representative for the Engineering Major in a March 19 interview with The Justice. 

Advice to a Brandeis underclassman

If you’re reading this, you might be a first-year student, still adjusting to life at Brandeis. At this point, you may be trying to figure out your schedule, debating whether to join certain clubs or wondering if you’ve found the right group of friends. The truth is, no one arrives at college knowing exactly how things will play out, and that’s a part of the experience. Over the past four years, Brandeis has taught us that flexibility, patience and a willingness to embrace the unexpected matters far more than having a perfect plan. With that in mind, the following is what members of this editorial board wish they had understood earlier.

Brandeis Strangers: New technology builds connection on campus

Faculty debates University reorganization plan

On March 7, faculty members held a meeting in the Rapaporte Treasure Hall to further discuss the University reorganization plan that the Senior Associate for Faculty Affairs, Prof. Joel Christensen ’01 (CLAS), introduced during the faculty’s Feb. 28 special meeting. The meeting agenda included memorial minutes for Prof. Arthur Holmberg (THA) and researcher Robert Dunigan as well as an address from Interim President Arthur Levine ’70.  

A scientist who got his start at Brandeis is changing the world of medicine

The transformative power of a Brandeis education extends into the world of enzymology, as demonstrated by Dr. Mo Seyedsayamdost ’01, whose groundbreaking research is uncovering potentially lifesaving antibiotics. Before earning his PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Seyedsayamdost embarked on his journey of scientific discovery at Brandeis University, where he immersed himself in research under the mentorship of Prof. Liz Hedstrom (BIO/CHEM).

Why I Support Re-imagining Brandeis

Every week with increasing volume tells us this: higher education is in trouble. It is too expensive. There aren’t enough students to go around. Schools are going to close. And those that remain will be different from what they were before. People aren’t sure they should spend four years of their life learning things they can’t apply to jobs that might not be there when they’re done.

President Levine responds to concerns

On Tuesday, Feb. 25, Interim President Arthur Levine '70 held a town hall to discuss his plans for the University. With approximately 40 students present, the town hall began with the Brandeis Jewish Bund handing a copy of their list of demands to Levine — originally shared during a Feb. 5 vigil — and shaking his hand. The President pocketed the paper without reading it and began the meeting. A request was made that no recordings be taken of the event to honor students' privacy. 

Brandeis threatened by federal budget cuts

Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, the Trump administration and Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, have been on a crusade to find “waste” within the government.