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From Nov. 10 to Nov. 15 the Brandeis University Department of Student Engagement hosted their 15th annual Kindness Days. The main goal of the Brandeis Kindness Days is to promote and celebrate the “kindness that exists in the Brandeis community” according to the Kindness Day initiative website
On Nov. 18, Brandeis University kicked off its annual I Am Global Week in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium. At this event, members of the Brandeis community were able to learn about the full schedule of IAGW, pick up an IAGW T-shirt and sample international candy from different areas of the world.
On Nov. 6, the Waltham School Committee met for its bi-weekly meeting, discussing a range of topics including district-wide successes and challenges in English Language Arts, the formation of an equity audit team and a decision to modify a key program at Waltham High School.
On Nov. 8, members of the Brandeis community received an email from Vice President of Student Affairs Andrea Dine and Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging LeManuel Bitsoi titled “Social Justice and Free Expression.”
On Nov. 5, Americans all across the country cast ballots for the next President of the United States. The following day, Democrat Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the election and the Associated Press announced Donald Trump to be the winner of the 2024 election. Nationally, Former President, now President-Elect Donald J. Trump captured all seven swing states and won both the electoral and popular votes — winning 312 electoral votes and 50% of the popular vote.
On April 18, 2024 Brandeis alumni received emails from Brandeis Alumni Relations, notifying recipients that the University will be eliminating former students’ official Brandeis emails, effective Jan. 7, 2025. This news was paired with the announcement of the University's launch of My Brandeis Gateway, an online platform designed to help alumni to stay connected to the Brandeis community. In response to the University’s decision, alumni have been circulating a petition to keep their official Brandeis emails.
On Nov. 12, 2024, the Waltham City Council voted in favor of allocating $6 million from the City’s Community Preservation Act fund to help the Waltham Boys and Girls Club with a building improvement. The funding from the city is a fraction of the $25,310,000 total cost of the proposed project.
Medical Emergency
On Nov. 8, faculty gathered for their monthly meeting, eagerly anticipating the introduction of new University Interim President Arthur Levine ’70. The meeting began with comments from Chair of the Faculty Senate Jeffery Lenowitz (POL), who introduced a speech and moment of silence for the passing of Professor Emeritus Graham Campbell (FA). Following this remembrance, Wellington Prize winner Prof. Emilie Connolly (HIST) gave a presentation on her trip to Lisbon.
On Nov. 8, Interim President Arthur Levine ’70 sat down with The Justice to discuss his personal ties to the University and his goals for its future. Levine graduated from Brandeis in 1970, with a Bachelor of Arts in biology. Brandeis gave Levine a love for higher education, resulting in his pursuit of a successful career in academia including presidencies at Teachers College, Columbia University and Bedford College.
On Nov. 10, the Student Union had their weekly 7 p.m. meeting. The meeting started with a presentation from Brandeis Rebelle, a multicultural dance group seeking probationary status as a club. Rebelle’s mission is to empower students through dance and cultural expression and, in doing so, foster inclusivity on campus. Brandeis Rebelle plans to focus on community engagement and planning events such as multicultural dance workshops open to all students. The club was granted probationary status.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
Last week, America voted on the future of national, state and local governance. In Massachusetts, voters were tasked with the responsibility of terminating the fate of five ballot questions on state auditing, transport unions, standardized testing, psychedelics and minimum wage for tipped workers. One question, however, flew under the radar — Question 6 — which appeared only in 11 state representative districts, including the 10th Middlesex district which is a part of Waltham, Massachusetts. The question did not appear on the November 2024 Massachusetts voter guide.
On Nov. 7, the Brandeis Jewish Bund hosted a Study-in For Palestine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A promotional poster for the event encouraged students to “Join the Jewish Bund as we sit and study in honor of Palestine.” The event, which was attended by a small crowd of students, took place on the first floor of Farber library, around the corner from Starbucks. Organizers offered pro-Palestine reading material for attendees, though most chose to silently do their own work.
Massachusetts ballot question five in the 2024 election asked voters registered in the state of Massachusetts to vote on if hourly wages for tipped workers should gradually increase over the span of five years to equal the state minimum wage.
Passing of Massachusetts ballot question four would legalize the personal use and growth of plant-based psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms, more commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms.
On Nov. 5, 2024, Massachusetts residents were given the option to vote on question three, which allows Uber and Lyft drivers the ability to form unions. According to a report from The Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts, this proposed law would enact sector-based bargaining, which would allow drivers across multiple companies to negotiate for industry-wide benefits such as better pay and expanded benefits. Additionally, drivers might not be able to start forming unions right away — rideshare workers face the logistical challenges of organizing a union now that the law has passed. The legislation has several ramifications, both legal and practical: Most likely it would both reduce profits for businesses and create more expensive fares for riders, according to opponents of the ballot question. At the same time, it would begin to pave the way toward standard rights and protections for rideshare workers.
The second question on the Massachusetts ballot asked voters if the state should eliminate the requirement that students pass the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests in order to receive a high school diploma.
On Nov. 5, voters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts voted on a series of five statewide ballot questions. Proposed by initiative petition, the first question asked voters if the state auditor could audit legislative activities such as cybersecurity norms and purchasing activities. Prior to this proposal, the state auditor required permission from the state legislator to audit the Massachusetts legislature. As of press time, Massachusetts voters decided to pass this motion. This vote means that going forward, the state auditor can audit the accounts, programs and activities that are associated with the commonwealth — including the Department of Revenue.
It was nearly 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 7 — the last chance for eligible Georgia voters to register for the 2024 November election. Jimena Martinez-Dominguez ’25 had already been registered to vote, but anxiety surrounding absentee voting lingered as she sank into a black faux leather couch.