POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Require classes for a well-rounded education
The academic course requirements for graduation at Brandeis are often a source of frustration for students.
Philip Gallagher
Articles
Don't stereotype elite college students
As many of us have probably realized, attending a well-respected college carries a great degree of social value. Mentioning the fact that you attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Stanford University in a conversation can often add a degree of gravitas to everything you say from that point on. Several elite schools have a clubhouse that only grants membership to alumni of the university, such as the Harvard Club, the Yale Club and Brandeis House. In academia, professors are very proud of where they went to school, sometimes even name-dropping their alma maters in classes as if to validate the content of their lectures. As a Brandeis student, I have seen some of this social value firsthand and believe that much of it is frequently misplaced. The social value of attending Brandeis becomes evident as soon as someone inquires where you go to college. Upon your response, assuming he or she is familiar with the school, he or she often comments on how impressive Brandeis is, or occasionally, explicitly praises your intelligence. Furthermore, he or she might now think more highly of you as a person, taking values associated with Brandeis, such as intelligence and diligence, and associating them with you.
Go beyond Jewish identity
Last year, Marquette University, a Jesuit institution in Milwaukee, came under scrutiny for withdrawing an employment offer for the position of Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from Jodi O'Brien, a lesbian sociologist who has written about gender and sexual identity issues. According to a May 2010 article from The Chronicle of Higher Education, Marquette University claimed that the withdrawal of the job offer was due to concerns about how some of her scholarly writings related to the school's "Catholic mission and identity." Nancy E.
Cut President's salary in crisis
Since the economic recession began, companies of all types, from Fortune 500 corporations to nonprofit organizations, have suffered revenue losses and financial cutbacks.
Approach majors openly
As of data collected from various Undergraduate Advising Heads and department administrators last week, slightly less than 10 percent of the Brandeis undergraduate population is majoring in Economics.
Rankings imperfect, but still important
It is rather surprising to realize how many people are unfamiliar with our university. Unless a student is from the Northeast, Jewish or intimately familiar with higher education, he or she has no real reason to know anything about our school.
Alleviate overcrowding in residence halls
This year, our university housing system became much more crowded. The Brandeis Class of 2015 is one of the biggest in the school's history, currently estimated at 972 students, 108 of whom will join the class as midyears this January.
Cosmetic surgery for students contradicts values
During the summer, I learned that a friend of mine had scheduled an appointment with a plastic surgeon to learn more about rhinoplasties, also known as nose jobs.
Increase the number of 4-year BA/MA programs
According to a July 22 article in The New York Times, the master's degree is quickly moving to replace the bachelor's as the expected degree for entry-level jobs.
Study candidates' private lives
With both American and French presidential elections approaching in the coming years, the intense personal scrutiny that every candidate must endure is becoming more evident.
Brandeis’ 2026 commencement choice is a cowardly, hypocritical cash grab
Brandeis community reflects on antisemitism and campus support
Faculty meeting sheds light on University's marketing plan, future of Brandeis Core
Crown Center teach-in discusses the United States, Israel, Iran and the Middle East at war
Sherman reopens following the February fire