Urge reform in sentencing severity for drug possession
Reform the jail sentencing for individuals charged with drug possession.
Recognize the possibly beneficial impact of celebrity status
With celebrities speaking out about sexual assault in Hollywood, it is important that more celebrities utilize their status and impact for benefiting society.
Views on the News: Veterans
According to an Oct. 16 New York Times article, former Marine Sergeant Major, Damien Rodriguez was charged with a felony-level hate crime and assault after he attacked employees at an Iraqi restaurant in Portland, Oregon. His friends and family, however, claim that his actions were the result of PTSD and not hatred. Do you feel that Rodriguez’s charges are appropriate?
EDITORIAL: Recognize Sodexo’s accomplishments among flaws
While Sodexo's success in the recent "Battle of the Chefs!" is commendable, there are still more improvements to be made.
Condemn White House decision to revoke DACA status
President Donald Trump chose to go forward with rescinding DACA, despite previously saying he would handle the situation "with heart."
Question standards for what US considers legitimate marriage
The United States, more so than other countries, seems confused about marriage on a conceptual level. Despite the government’s purported separation of church and state, marriage is rewarded with the bureaucratic benefits of tax deductions and implicit visitation rights. The sanctity of marriage is something to be protected within a society in which television programs such as “The Bachelor” and “Married at First Sight” thrive. Over the years, both the meaning and the societal role of marriage in America have become inscrutable.
Criticize President Trump’s poor response to Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles on Sept. 20, and President Donald Trump has already suggested that we pull aid. Just weeks before, Hurricane Harvey blasted Texas and the Caribbean. Both hurricanes caused devastation, but the response from the White House could not be more different
Urge NFL to support Colin Kaepernick’s form of protest
It all began with the simplest of gestures. At the beginning of the 2016 NFL season, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided he would kneel during the national anthem to draw attention to racial inequality and police brutality. On Aug. 26, 2016, Kaepernick remained seated during the national anthem, and on Aug. 27, 2016, he told NFL Media, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” He also said, “To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave getting away with murder.”
EDITORIAL: Criticize University’s poor timing of search for new dean
This board criticizes the University’s poor planning in this matter and urges Brandeis to take precautions to ensure a smooth transition on both fronts.
Views on the News: NAFTA
According to an Oct. 11 article in the New York Times, President Donald Trump revealed that the United States may drop out of North American Free Trade Agreement, stating, "It is possible we won't be able to make a deal, and it's possible that we will." In addition to this, the Trump Administration has also proposed limits on the number of government contracts that Mexican or Canadian companies can win. What do you think of the president's opinion, and is it in the best interest of the U.S.?
Commend news outlets for exposing sexual predators
Throughout this year alone, the media — or, more specifically, the New York Times — has done an unprecedented job in exposing people in positions of power who turned out be concealing egregious secrets about their sexual misconduct in the workplace. The series of exposés have given the voice and courage many women, who are minorities in different working fields, have needed for such a long time already to call out their abusers.
EDITORIAL: Urge DCL to provide accurate times for room inspections
On Oct. 6, the Department of Community Living sent an email notifying the student population at Brandeis University of the upcoming health and safety inspections. The email emphasized the dates of the inspections, noting that all inspections will occur “between the hours of 9:00AM and 6:00PM from October 10-October 25 (only Monday-Friday).” The inspection period, which spans over two weeks, seems unusually and unnecessarily long. This board proposes restructuring the inspection period in order to facilitate a more efficient process and alleviate some of the inconveniences that come with such a broad period.
Criticize racially insensitive elements of the beauty industry
Recently, Dove produced an ad that featured a Black woman removing her shirt to reveal a fair-skinned white woman, and the white woman doing the same to reveal a third woman. However innocent the intention may have been, the advertisement was met with backlash over claims of racism and was eventually pulled, according to an Oct. 8 New York Times article.
Recognize recent US success in Iraq compared to prior years
The U.S. has seen more success in Iraq than it has in previous years.
Views on the News: Gun Control
On Oct. 1, in Las Vegas, one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history occurred, killing 58 people and injuring 500, according to an Oct. 3 article in the New York Times. In response to subsequent talk of gun control, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) stated, "It's particularly inappropriate to politicize an event like this," according to an Oct. 3 Politico article. Do you agree with McConnell's statement? Why or why not?
Criticize Trump Administration’s new restrictions on abortion
The Trump Administration recently passed a new bill to restrict the time period in which a woman can have an abortion.
EDITORIAL: Condemn University response to cell service on campus
Cell service in the Foster Mods is poor and students have complained to DCL.
Encourage greater restriction of sale of deadly weapons
With the recent Las Vegas shooting, bump stock sales have increased and there need to be greater restriction on these accessories and other forms of weaponry.
EDITORIAL: Commend Campus Activities Board for fall performers
Commend the University for their new, popular acts for fall events.
Acknowledge concerns surrounding new iPhone technology
Several new features of the iPhone X present security concerns.
Judges make a splash during this week’s meet
Stan Lee's long legacy extends even to the economic world
The Student Union piano funding debacle was entirely avoidable
Early school start times may be leaving students behind
Giving Tuesday should be part of everyone's holiday season