The Justice, February 8, 2022

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the

Justice www.thejustice.org

The Independent Student Newspaper Volume LXXIV, Number 16

of

Waltham, Mass.

B r a n d e is U n i v e r sit y S i n c e 1 9 4 9

Tuesday, February 8, 2021

NON-PROFIT

Organization achieves non-profit status ■ BaselineMed, founded and led by Brandeis students, works to provide support for BIPOC medical students. By DALYA KOLLER

JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

BaselineMed, an organization founded and run by Brandeis students, recently achieved non-profit status in the state of New York. BaselineMed is an organization whose mission is to provide a support system for BIPOC students pursuing a career in medicine. The organization was founded by Emma Ghalili ’22. Ghalil first came

Waltham, Mass.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION

up with the idea for BaselineMed in June 2020. As Ghalili began reading sources for prospective medical students, she found there a lack of diversity in the authors, most of them being white men. In a Jan. 28 BrandeisNow article, Ghalili explained that she felt left out of the narrative as a white woman and that she could not even imagine what students of color likely felt. Ghalili thought that many more students would feel persuaded to pursue the field of medicine if they felt more supported by and connected to the already-existing medical community. BaselineMed currently provides an online collection of resources and articles written by BIPOC col-

See NON-PROFIT, 7 ☛

BRIEF Following drop in positive COVID-19 cases, University eases up on restrictions On Feb. 7, the University sent an email to the Brandeis community outlining changes made to on-campus COVID-19 restrictions. These changes were prompted by the “significant drop in positive cases on campus,” according to the email. The first difference is in mask policy: individuals on campus may now be allowed to take their masks off in a limited number of private spaces, such as private offices and enclosed lounges with up to four people, private labs, private rooms, and more, according to the COVID-19 response website. The email emphasized that even with this small change, the mask policies on campus are quite similar to those of the fall semester. The second easing of restrictions is for events on campus. Prior to this email, food and beverages were prohibited at indoor gatherings. Now, indoor events in large spaces with up to 50 percent capacity may offer food or beverages. This rule extends from 50 percent capacity to full capacity after Feb. 18 as long as positive cases on campus do not increase, stated the email.

Lastly, the email outlined changes to travel restrictions. In time for the upcoming February break, the University suggested students review the Brandeis travel policies and take a rapid at-home test prior to returning to campus although they will not need to submit a negative test before coming back. The email also emphasized that individuals returning from travel will need to complete the travel quarantine and testing protocols once on campus. “While we are making these steps towards more normalized operations, it’s important to remember that COVID is still here,” stated the email. The University will continue to watch the data on positive COVID-19 test results and adjust restrictions and requirements accordingly. For more information on the COVID-19 restrictions on campus, refer to the COVID-19 Response website.

Photo Courtesy of BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY

University appoints new vice president of DEI

DIVERSITY: Bitsóí has over 20 years of experience working in diversity. equity, and inclusion roles.

■ Bitsóí, who is coming from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, is set to begin his tenure at Brandeis on March 14. By LEAH BREAKSTONE

JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

On Monday, Jan. 3, University President Ron Liebowitz announced in an email to the University that LeManuel Lee Bitsóí had been selected and accepted the position as the new vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In October 2021, Liebowitz announced that a search committee had been established for this position, led by Carol Fierke, provost and execu-

— Jacklyn Goloborodsky

Contaminated Water

By ARIELLA WEISS

FEATURES 8

See DEI, 7 ☛

 Despite worthy performances, the Academy has yet to award a Black women an Oscar for 'Best Actress.'

Bite app malfunctions for students

By JASON FRANK

Bengals and Rams at Superbowl on Feb. 13

Image Courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

For tips or info email editor@thejustice.org

serving as the associate vice president for diversity affairs as well as the special advisor to the president for indigenous affairs at Fort Lewis College in Colorado, according to Liebowitz’s email. Previously, as stated by his LinkedIn profile, Bitsóí worked as the chief diversity officer at Stony Brook University in New York. As an Indigenous person, Bitsóí resonates with the values Brandeis was founded on, at a time when Jewish people were being discriminated against in higher education. Brandeis’ history “[pushes] us to include all those who may have faced barriers to participation because of their ethnicity, religion, race, or gender,” he said in the BrandeisNow article.

Architect discusses future of design

Oscar Nominations

 The Justice investigated lead contamination of drinking water and fountain closures on campus.

Image Courtesy of ARIELLA WEISS

tive vice president of academic affairs, and Harleen Singh, associate professor of literature and women's, gender and sexuality studies. Liebowitz also acknowledged that, in the meantime, David M. Fryson would serve as the interim chief diversity officer and vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “Bitsóí is a first-generation Native American (Navajo) graduate of New Mexico State University and the University of New Mexico with a master’s degree from Harvard University and an Ed.D. in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania,” stated a BrandeisNow article. He has over 20 years of experience working in diversity, equity, and inclusion roles at various higher education institutions, and is currently

Make your voice heard! Submit letters to the editor to letters@thejustice.org

ARTS 19

By LEAH BREAKSTONE

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

By AIDEN GUTHRO

COPYRIGHT 2022 FREE AT BRANDEIS. 2

NEWS 3 FORUM 10 SPORTS 16


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