ARTS Page 19
FORUM Criticize pardoning of Arpaio 11 SPORTS Women's soccer tops Lasell 5-3 16 The Independent Student Newspaper
the
FALL ARTS PREVIEW of
B r a n d e is U n i v e r sit y S i n c e 1 9 4 9
Justice
Volume LXX, Number 1
www.thejustice.org
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
WELCOME TO BRANDEIS
Administration
Changes made to student Rights and Responsibilities ■ The Department of Student
Rights and Community Standards released student conduct code amendments. By ABBY PATKIN JUSTICE EDITOR
YVETTE SEI/the Justice
CONVOCATION: Dean of Students Jamele Adams opened up the welcoming ceremony on Chapels Field on Aug. 27.
Deis welcomes Class of 2021 in convocation ■ University administrators
welcomed first-year students and their friends and university to the new school year. By Michelle Dang JUSTICE Editor
First-years from 41 states and 21 countries gathered together for the first time on Chapel’s field on Aug. 27 for the annual convocation ceremony. University President Ron Liebowitz opened the convocation by thanking the dedication of orientation leaders, staff and community advisors for making orientation possible. “I have one full year of Brandeis experience on all of you, I hope your first year is as rewarding as mine was,” he added, relaying to the Class of 2021 his observations on “Brandeis’ two most common characteristics.” “First, there is a great passion and loyalty toward the institution,” said Liebowitz, who attested to the faculty’s dedication and care for un-
dergraduate studies alongside the cooperation and teamwork that permeates the University. “My second observation: there is a special kind of openness among students and staff to discuss, … [a] passion for inclusion, openness and debate that I witnessed over my first year.” Liebowitz advised the first-years, “Jump in and don’t hold back … you are joining a community of excellent education, meaningful research and co-extracurricular activities.” However, he warned of jumping in too much — humorously noting the very typical Brandeisian culture of intense curiosity and overachievement, which can lead students to spread themselves thin across many commitments. Referring to the University’s namesake, Liebowitz said that one cannot help but feel a deep commitment to justice. He reminded the students to educate themselves about the University’s historic founding by the American Jewish community in order to understand the precedent of critical thinking and free debate set by the University’s founders.
The University updated its Rights and Responsibilities handbook prior to the academic year, making notable changes to the Special Examiner’s process and the procedure for the disruption of scheduled speakers or events. In an Aug. 28 email to the student body, Director of Student Rights and Community Standards Kerry Guerard wrote that the majority of the revisions in the 2017 to 2018 handbook “centered on clarifying language and processes.” According to the Department of Students Rights and Community Standards, the Rights and Responsibilities policies “provide the definitions, structure, and policies for community life on campus. Adherence
to Rights and Responsibilities is a prerequisite for acceptance and ongoing membership in the University community.” In addition to clarifying its definition of sexual harassment — per 3.2, “Sexual harassment creates a hostile environment when conduct is severe, pervasive or persistent so as to cause a discriminatory effect” — the University also updated the Special Examiner’s process in regards to interviews with parties and witnesses. The new language makes the sexual history of either party with third parties inadmissible as evidence, also stating that immigration status will not be considered during a Title IX report or adjudication. The University also clarified its policy on the disruption of scheduled speakers and events in section 7.5, stating that while “Brandeis maintains a high tolerance for protest, … disruptions that prevent a planned event from continuing are not permissible.” Under this policy, students who disrupt an event in a way that in-
See R&R, 7 ☛
Administration
“A liberal arts education will challenge you to confront many longheld views. … If that is not your experience by the time you graduate, we have failed you,” he concluded. “Look out for one another and intervene with passion.” Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Andrew Flagel also welcomed the Class of 2021. “You are diverse, and you are talented, and you are passionate about changing the world, in short. You are Brandeis. … You are now part of this Brandeis family, and you will never be alone,” he said. Flagel’s advice to students on how to get the most out of the Brandeis experience also paralleled the president’s advice, asking the students to use their education and time at the University to challenge both their personal and societal status quos. “I want you all to be safe, but I also want you to challenge yourselves. We have a responsibility at Brandeis to do everything we can to keep you from harm, but also to keep you open to new ideas — to help you become more comfortable with being uncomfortable,” said Flagel.
University welcomes new Hindu Advisor ■ Shrestha Singh was
appointed as Hindu Advisor by the Multifaith Chaplaincy early last month. By SABRINA SUNG JUSTICE EDITOR
Last month, the Brandeis community made its acquaintance with Shrestha Singh, the newly appointed Hindu adviser at the Multifaith Chaplaincy. According to an Aug. 14 BrandeisNOW article, Singh graduated from Harvard Divinity School and is also the Hindu Chaplain at Wellesley College. As the Hindu adviser at Brandeis, she will support all students of Dharmic traditions, as well as facilitate conversations on their spirituality and cultures. Singh will also be responsible for the function of the Dharmic prayer center in the Shapiro Campus Center.
In an interview with the Justice, Singh described her role on campus as that of a “listening ear,” available as a source of guidance for students of Dharmic faith. “The core of it is supporting students: being a compassionate and empathetic presence, and being a sounding board for them as they journey through their years in college,” she said, acknowledging that those years can be as tumultuous as they can be beautiful. She stated that she will be someone that students of Dharmic faith can come to in times of spiritual, emotional, or even personal crises. Although Singh is appointed within the Multifaith Chaplaincy, she said that she doesn’t believe her role requires her to serve students solely through a religious lens. “I feel I also do a lot of work that’s about culture and identity,” she said, explaining how in many countries, faith and culture are deeply intertwined.
See HINDU ADVISOR, 7 ☛
Data to Fight Terrorism
Staying alive
Renovations
Prof. Jytte Klausen (POL) compiled a Western Jihadism Project.
The men's soccer team came out of its first weekend with a win and a loss.
View an infographic on the University's summer renovations.
FEATURES 8 For tips or info email editor@thejustice.org
Waltham, Mass.
Let your voice be heard! Submit letters to the editor online at www.thejustice.org
INDEX
SPORTS 16 ARTS SPORTS
17 13
EDITORIAL FEATURES
10 OPINION 8 POLICE LOG
10 2
News 3 COPYRIGHT 2017 FREE AT BRANDEIS.