The Justice, March 22, 2011 issue

ARTS Page 21

FORUM ROTC on campus 12

SKINS 2011

SPORTS Baseball squeaks past Bridgewater 16 The Independent Student Newspaper

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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 LXIII, Number 23

www.thejustice.org

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

student life

Waltham, Mass.

PREPARING THE POD MARKET

Students to leave Japan for US

■ A study abroad program hosting three Brandeis students in Kyoto has been suspended due to the quake.

By Nashrah rahman JUSTICE editor

TALI SMOOKLER/the Justice

Due to “safety concerns” in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Japan, the Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies, a Columbia University-administered program currently hosting three Brandeis undergraduate students in Japan, has suspended its spring program, according to a March 17 BrandeisNOW article.

A representative of KCJS could not be reached for comment by press time.

In a March 14 e-mail to the Justice, Assistant Dean of Academic Services and Director of Study Abroad J. Scott Van Der Meid wrote that the three undergraduate students in Japan were not harmed in the earthquake and ensuing tsunami. In separate March 21 email interviews with the Justice, Ben Swartz ’12 and Shawn Richardson ’12, two undergraduate students in Japan, wrote that the effects of the disasters were not evident in Kyoto.

“If you were standing in Kyoto now, the only evidence of the earthquake, attendant tsunami, or trouble at Fukushima Dai-ichi [power plant] would be the news reports and the people standing on street corners seeking donations,” Richardson wrote in his e-mail.

Swartz wrote in his e-mail, “It is very weird because I know the reality of the situation, the teachers here know the reality of the situation, yet people back home still seem to be overreacting.”

According to Van Der Meid in the BrandeisNOW article, Brandeis is assisting KCJS with arranging transportation for the students to get home ,and they are expected to return to the United States within a week.

The BrandeisNOW article states that “program officials are also at-

See JAPAN, 5 ☛

Awaiting the grand opening Construction workers in the Provisions on Demand Market continue to make the final changes to the interior before the store's anticipated opening on March 28. It will be located in Village C and will include many popular items from the currently existing P.O.D. Market in the Usdan Student Center. See News, p. 3.

academics

student life

UCC approves new Union solicits opinions Latin honors system ■ The Student Union found

■ If approved by the

faculty, the proposal would affect the honors awarded to the Class of 2016.

By Sara Dejene JUSTICE editorial Assistant

The Undergraduate Curriculum Committee voted during its March 3 meeting to approve a proposal that would raise the standards for students graduating with Latin honors beginning with the Class of 2016, Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe said in an interview with the Justice.

The proposal would not affect any students currently enrolled at the University, Dean of Academic Services Kim Godsoe said in an interview with the Justice.

that the housing lottery and residence hall conditions are top student concerns.

According to Jaffe, the proposal states that the top 30 percent of the graduating senior class would receive Latin honors as opposed to the current system, which is based on gradepoint average. Within that 30 percent, students must be in the top 5 percent of their class to be considered for summa cum laude, though only students who also qualify for departmental honors (less than 5 percent) would graduate summa cum laude. The next 10 percent would be awarded magna cum laude in addition to students who are in the top five percent but who do not qualify for departmental honors, and the remaining 15 percent of students would graduate cum laude.

According to Godsoe, the proposal must be voted on twice before

By andrew wingens JUSTICE editorial assistant

Students voiced concerns about the University housing system last Tuesday in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium, where Student Union members stationed themselves to record student opinions via video and e-mail, according to a March 18 e-mail sent by Student Union President Daniel Acheampong ’11 to the undergraduate student body.

Acheampong explained in an interview with the Justice that the videos and e-mails will be presented to Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer, Senior Vice President for Administration Mark Collins and the Department of Community Living.

The goal of the housing as-

See HONORS, 5 ☛

See HOUSING, 5 ☛

Beyond the classroom

Ducinski's no-hitter

JVP petitions Hillel

Brandeis students advocate a more hands-on style for learning.

 Casey Ducinski's '13 no-hitter paced the softball team last weekend.

 Jewish Voice for Peace is petitioning for a change to last week's decision.

FEATURES 6 For tips or info call (781) 736-6397

sessment was to receive student feedback and relay information about how to improve the housing process to the DCL, said Student Union Secretary Herbie Rosen ’12 in an interview with the Justice.

Rosen explained that the responses received from students were not just about student anger but that they “[showed] a lot of honest words” and that students took “a well-thought-out approach” to voicing their concerns.

According to Rosen, eight or nine students recorded their concerns on video while about 50 students have expressed concerns via e-mail to the Student Union.

“I don’t think that we are looking for a complete revolution [about the lottery system] because, quite honestly, I feel that the housing lottery is one of the better things [of the housing system, and] it works for the student body. … We just want to sit down and figure out how to better the system,” Rosen said.

Rosen added that improving the

Let your voice be heard!

Submit letters to the editor online at www.thejustice.org

INDEX

SPORTS 16 ARTS SPORTS

17 16

EDITORIAL FEATURES

10 6

OPINION POLICE LOG

10 2

COMMENTARY

11

News 2 COPYRIGHT 2011 FREE AT BRANDEIS. Email managing@thejustice.org for home delivery.

2

TUESDAY, March 22, 2011

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THE JUSTICE

NEWS BRIEF

POLICE LOG

JVP circulates petition after Hillel makes decision to exclude group

Medical Emergency

The Jewish Voice for Peace opened a petition to the Brandeis community Sunday night requesting that Hillel at Brandeis accept JVP as a member group after Hillel’s recent decision not to include it.

According to co-founder of JVP Liza Behrendt ’11, the petition was created after various discussions with members of the Brandeis community following the decision. “[JVP realized] that there is a lot of outrage about Hillel’s decision and a lot of support for a change,” said Behrendt.

Fliers distributed by JVP members at the Usdan Student Center list a website where individuals can sign the petition, as well as arguments to include JVP as a Hillel member group and upcoming events to be hosted

by JVP. The flier says that Hillel at Brandeis has included “all other Jewish groups” on campus and that institutions like Hillel should include “different approaches to peace.” JVP says that the decision to not include Hillel “has denied students the opportunity to discuss” issues such as the boycott of products made in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, an act the JVP supports.

According to Behrendt, JVP is not aiming for a specific number of signatures but says that it will present the petition to Hillel and ask the student board to reconsider its decision if JVP demonstrates that it has gained support from the Brandeis community.

In an e-mail to the Justice, Hillel at Brandeis President Andrea Wexler ’11 wrote that the petition process “has been very peaceful and professional” and that JVP has the right to free speech and to create a petition.

Wexler also wrote in the same e-mail that the decision to exclude JVP was based on guidelines set by the International Hillel organization which stated that JVP was not eligible to be a member group of Hillel because of its support of boycotts of Israeli products in the West Bank settlements and is not “subject to an appeal by petition.”

Behrendt said that “it’s important to remember that the Hillel guidelines are guidelines. They’re not binding rules.” She and added that each Hillel group is free to interpret the guidelines however it believes is appropriate. According to the guidelines found on the International Hillel organization’s website, Hillel cannot partner with groups that “[support] boycott of, divestment from, or sanctions against the State of Israel.”

Behrendt said that Hillel at Brandeis’s decision is “representative of a much larger problem of restrictions on dialogue within the Jewish community.”

In the flier circulated in support of the petition, JVP says that Hillel at Brandeis’s constitution is devoted to a “pluralistic community,” inclusive of all opinions and discussions.

According to Hillel at Brandeis’s constitution, membership is “extended to every undergraduate and graduate student enrolled at [the] University.”

Behrendt said that since the decision, Hillel at Brandeis has not reached out to JVP for any type of discussion or collaboration. Wexler confirmed this but added in her e-mail, “We have had many previous, productive discussions” and that Hillel at Brandeis is “still very much interested in working with [JVP] in the future.”

When asked about support for Hillel’s decision, Wexler wrote that Hillel at Brandeis has received “many e-mails and phone calls” in support the board’s recent decision.

SENATE LOG

Mar. 14—A student reported that he cut his face while playing basketball in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. BEMCo treated the party on-scene with a signed refusal for further care.

Mar. 15—A party reported a 20-year-old female vomiting in the Charles River Apartments. BEMCo treated the party on-scene with a signed refusal for further care.

Mar. 15—A party reported that a suicidal female volunteered to go to the hospital for an evaluation.

The Community Development Coordinator escorted the individual and the party was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

Mar. 17—A student fell off his skateboard while riding in the roadway near Chapels Field. The party was treated at

the University Health Center, and he was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

Mar. 19—A caller reported an intoxicated male in the men’s restroom of Ridgewood C. The party was unresponsive but breathing normally and was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

Mar. 20—A party reported that his girlfriend was intoxicated and vomiting in Hassenfeld Residence Hall. BEMCo treated the party on-scene and no further action was needed.

Mar. 20—BEMCo requested that an intoxicated individual be transported to the NewtonWellesley Hospital. The party was transported.

Traffic

Miscellaneous

Mar. 18—University Police reported a group of students drinking alcohol around a bonfire in the Sachar woods.

The group was dispersed and the bonfire was extinguished without incident.

Mar. 20—University Police reported two parties driving a golf cart near the Spingold Theater. The parties ran from University Police and were stopped behind the Rose Art Museum. Judicial charges will be filed.

Mar. 20—A party reported a strong smell of marijuana in Scheffres Residence Hall.

University Police found parties smoking marijuana and judicial charges will be filed.

Mar. 15—A delivery driver for a local restaurant admitted responsibility for a broken light pole in Ridgewood Quad.

—compiled by Andrew Wingens

—Sara Dejene

CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS nAn article in News, “Committee forms to find new dean” misspelled the writer’s surname. She is Erica Cooperberg, not Erica Cooperburg. (March 15, pg. 1) nAn article in News, “Group holds meal plan vote,” misspelled a student’s surname and misstated the student’s year. The student is Shea Riester ’12 not Shea Reister ’11.

(March 15, pg. 4) nAn article in News, “Study abroad students are safe in Japan,” misstated an individual’s title. Matthew Parillo is the International Business School Director of Marketing and Communications, not the Senior Associate Director of Communications. (March 15, pg. 3) nThe University Athletic Association standings in Sports for baseball and softball were incorrect. The baseball standings reflected the basketball standings from the previous week, and the softball standings contained incorrect numbers. (March 15, pg. 15) The Justice welcomes submissions for errors that warrant correction or clarification. E-mail editor@ thejustice.org.

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ROBYN SPECTOR/the Justice

Students choose housing

The room selection process began yesterday as students arrived at their appointment times to select housing for next year. Students were responsible for filling out room selection worksheets and proxy forms.

Senate recognizes new club and passes SMR

At the March 20 meeting, the Senate recognized the Brandeis Immigration Education Initiative. The BIEI will “advocate for immigrant student education rights here at Brandeis, across the state of Massachusetts and in federal legislation affecting the right of all students, regardless of nationality, to access higher education,” according to the group’s constitution.

Senator for Ziv Quad Mark Levi ’12 and Senator for Ridgewood Quad Lisa Melmed ’12 proposed a Senate Money Resolution requesting $1396.98 to sponsor a barbeque event for residents of Ridgewood Quad and Ziv Quad.

The SMR passed unanimously.

Senator-at-Large Beneva Davies ’13 reported that she is working with the Waltham Alliance to Create Housing tenant advocacy clinic to bring a fundraiser supporting the group to Brandeis.

WATCH is an organization that helps “give housing rights advice to members of the community who are in need,” according to the Waltham Group website. Additionally, “examples of common problems that Waltham tenants tend to have are evictions, tension and other problems with a landlord or poor living conditions,” said the website.

Davies proposed holding a 5-kilometer run on campus to help raise funds for WATCH. Senator for the Class of 2011 Michael Newborn reported that he is working with Student Sexuality Information Service to compose a list of students who do not want to receive contraceptives in their mailboxes.

Senator for the Village Nathan Israel ’14 reported that he is working to get a weight machine for the Village gym. He also wants to organize a cook-off barbeque for the Village.

Senator for the Castle Miriam Halimi ’13 said that she compiled a list of problems in the Castle, such as broken toilets and uncleaned vomit.

She sent the list to Campus Operations Working Group Chair Beau Bonness ’11 but has not received a response.

Director of Executive Affairs Ryan Fanning ’11 told the Senate that the Student Union is planning to have a dinner event for members of the Student Union with University President Frederick Lawrence at the Faculty Club.

The Greek Awareness Council amended its constitution, as required by the Senate vote that occurred on March 6, according to Executive Senator Abraham Berin ’11.

The amendment stipulated that “other organizations may petition to become member organizations of the GAC. These organizations can include but are not limited to Greek Letter Organizations, groups recognized or chartered by the Brandeis University Student Union, or be unrecognized groups composed primarily of Brandeis students with the intent to serve the Brandeis community.”

Also, “groups may gain Member Organization status by a 2/3 vote,” according to the GAC constitution.

Originally, the GAC constitution did not allow non-Greek groups to be member organizations of the GAC. The new constitution was approved by the Senate Club Support Committee and the group was recognized, said Berin in an e-mail to the Justice.

—Andrew Wingens

ANNOUNCEMENTS Israel study abroad information session

If you are interested in studying abroad in Israel, you should join us to learn more about the new program that is launching in spring 2012. The program appeals to intermediate and advanced students of Hebrew and this program is a great opportunity for students interested in bringing their language skills to the next level and who desire a full-immersion approach to studying abroad. Today from 5 to 6 p.m. in Shapiro Campus Center 315.

Charles J. Ogletree speaks on campus

Charles J. Ogletree is one of the country’s foremost experts on race and justice and a passionate advocate for the rights of the accused. A former trial lawyer, Ogletree is the Jesse Climenko Professor of Law and director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice at Harvard University. Today from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Faculty Center.

Melody Barnes, presidential adviser, speaks

This is the Eli J. Segal Citizen Leadership Lecture at which Melody Barnes, domestic policy adviser to President Barack Obama, will speak about civic leadership and pub-

lic service before answering questions from the audience. Seating is limited. Tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m. in Levin Ballroom.

Experiential learning symposium

The symposium will spotlight undergraduate students’ exploration, discovery and innovation and it is open to the Brandeis community and the public. The event will have a keynote and plenary session featuring University President Frederick Lawrence from 2 to 3 p.m.; a faculty moderated panel of undergraduate presentations from 3 to 4 p.m.; undergraduate poster presentations from 4 to 5 p.m. and a sushi reception from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m. in Levin Ballroom.

Psychology lecture

The Brandeis Psychology Department will host a colloquium that is cosponsored by the Martin Weiner Lecture Series and National Institute of General Medical Sciences Brain, Body and Behavior Training Grant. Todd F. Heatherton of the Dartmouth College Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences will speak about the neural basis of self-regulation failure. Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Mandel G03.

Yumna Siddiqi ’86 talks

Yumna Siddiqi ’86, a graduate of Brandeis and Associate Professor of English and American Literature at Middlebury College in Vermont, will give a talk titled, “Migration and the Inheritance of Loss.” Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Mandel Center, room G03.

Brandeis SACNAS chapter symposium

The purpose of this year’s Brandeis Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science Chapter Symposium is to serve as a forum for science students, especially those underrepresented in the field and the Brandeis scientific community as a whole to network with each other and to learn how to pursue career in science. The conference will consist of speakers across various career fields and degrees (Ph.D., M.D., undergraduate) including Prof. Jim Morris (BIOL), a career-building question-and-answer panel consisting of professionals and degree-seeking students alike, a networking lunch and a scientific poster session. Panera Bread will provide refreshments and food. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Shapiro Science Center Atrium.

THE JUSTICE

DINING SERVICES

completed in Village C as the opening date of Village P.O.D. Market draws closer.

By SHANI ABRAMOWITZ JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

A new Provisions on Demand Market is expected to open on the ground floor of the Village C Residence Hall within the next week or two, Senior Vice President for Administration Mark Collins said in an interview with the Justice.

Collins said in an interview with the Justice that the Village P.O.D. Market was expected to open in late January, but due to equipment back orders, the opening was delayed.

“Most of it had to do with the equipment we were putting into the building; [which was] back ordered, not available,” he said.

Collins explained how the idea of the Village P.O.D. Market developed: “Aramark had an interest and saw what they believed was an opportunity to serve” students living in lower campus. “[Student Union President] Daniel Acheampong ’11 [found] in his discussions with students, that they were looking for some sort of a P.O.D.-type thing down on the lower end of campus,” Collins said.

According to the Aramark website, the “Provisions on Demand (P.O.D.) Market combines the cor-

ner store with the style of a modern market, featuring grab ’n go dining options for breakfast, lunch or any time of day.”

An existing P.O.D. Market is located in Lower Usdan.

In an e-mail to the Justice, Director of Dining Services Aaron Bennos wrote that the hours of operation for the new P.O.D. market will be 7 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 4 p.m to midnight Sunday through Friday.

These hours, however, will be reevaluated for the fall semester.

The Village P.O.D. market will contain some of the most popular items based on sales from the P.O.D. market in Usdan.

The inventory of the market may change as student requests are received, wrote Bennos.

In his e-mail, Bennos wrote that a student representative living near the Village P.O.D. will most likely partner with Dining Services for input regarding the items that are sold.

In an interview with the Justice, Village resident Adam Gelman ’14 said, “Now it’ll be so easy to just run down to the P.O.D. Market in my [pajamas] and grab a snack.”

Andrea Stern ’14, another resident of the Village, also expressed delight at the opening of the Village P.O.D. market.

She said, “I’m so excited to have such easy access to food at the P.O.D. Market. It’ll be great to eliminate all those long walks to Usdan,” in an interview with the Justice.

ACADEMICS

University to hold an advising week

■ A variety of academic

departments will hold various advising events for underclassmen the week before registration.

By DANIEL HEINRICH JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

The Office of Academic Services will be hosting its first-ever Advising Week, beginning on March 28, to provide a way for first-years and sophomores to gain exposure to different academic departments.

The week will also help students make connections within departments in which they are already involved or help students choose a major or classes, Dean of Academic Services Kim Godsoe said in an interview with the Justice.

There are no large events central to the week; instead, this is a week designated for departments to host their own programs, Godsoe said.

The week is catered to first-years and sophomores who are still looking into majors before they pick their classes for next semester, according to Godsoe.

Godsoe said that the purpose of Advising Week is “to encourage students to be connecting with faculty members in departments of interest to really learn about the departments, classes, majors [and] minors.”

According to Godsoe, in order to accomplish this, the departments that are participating are encouraged to host events that will draw students so that they can meet with departmental faculty.

This kind of event is not uncommon; many departments host lectures and discussions with open houses, and Meet the Majors events are quite frequent, noted Godsoe.

The Undergraduate Advising Heads, a faculty committee made up of representatives from different departments, got the idea from other campuses, said Godsoe.

Godsoe said that other universities have tried similar programs that have been successful and that having this program would be helpful here as well.

Godsoe said that departments have not been enthusiastic about Advising Week so far, and attributed this to the fact that this is the first time the week is being run.

Although the number of participating departments is not definite, Godsoe remains optimistic that many will partake, since, she said, more departments sign up each day.

Regarding student turnout, Godsoe said that “because [the week] is so decentralized, it is very hard to make predictions about [the number of students who will be involved].”

While the details are not yet finalized, the Office of Academic Services hopes to have them finished and available to students sometime this week.

Considering the event is due to take place between March 28 and April 1, Godsoe says that bringing the information to the student body is “[the Office’s] number one priority right now.”

—Sara Dejene contributed reporting.

TUESDAY, March 22, 2011

3

TALKING POLITICS

Village POD Market to open within 2 weeks ■ Construction is being

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JANEY ZITOMER/the Justice

A NEW PERSPECTIVE: The Brandeis Tea Party Nation is the only college TPN branch in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Tea Party Nation founder lectures ■ Judson Phillips, founder

and CEO of Tea Party Nation, said that the Third Amendment is a central tenet of the TPN mission.

By MARIA ALKHASOVA JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Brandeis Tea Party Nation and the International Center for Ethics, Justice, and Public Life co-sponsored a speech by Tea Party Nation founder and CEO Judson Phillips last Friday about liberty and conservatism from the perspective of an active national figure in the Tea Party Movement.

The TPN is a conservative American political party that acts as part of the greater Tea Party Movement.

According to its website, the TPN stands for “Limited Government, Free Speech, the 2nd Amendment, our Military [and] Secure borders.”

After a short introduction by president and co-founder of the Brandeis TPN Mary-Alice Perdichizzi ’12, Phillips spoke on the major goals and ideas of the TPN. According to Phillips, the Third Amendment stands at the core of the TPN. “One the great legacies of the Tea Party Movement is the reemergence of the Third Amendment as a major cen-

ter of political thought,” said Phillips.

The Third Amendment states, “No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.” Since this amendment limits the government’s control over its citizens, it is highly representative of what the TPN stands for, according to Phillips.

Phillips commented that another one of the major political ideals of the TPN is the support of free enterprise.

“With the rise of the Tea Party Movement, one of the other effects we’ve seen … is the rise of free enterprise.

Free enterprise goes hand in hand with freedom and liberty; you cannot get one without the other,” said Phillips. According to Merriam-Webster, free enterprise describes an economy in which businesses can operate free of government control. This economic approach further highlights the TPN’s theory on limitation of the government.

Phillips’ speech was then followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session with the audience moderated

by Prof. Mingus Mapps (POL).

When asked what one of the main differences was between the TPN and the Democratic Party, Phillips responded that Republican ideology propagates free speech while Obama’s Democratic administration has re-

cently been suppressing these rights.

“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are impossible without free speech. Free speech is what separates the free world from the rest of the world,” said Phillips. “Unfortunately one of the things we’ve seen in the last few years … has been the rise of desire and the rise of those who wish to silence free speech. Most of this is coming from the Left.”

The Brandeis Tea Party Nation is one of 12 branches located on college campuses throughout the nation and is the only one in Massachusetts, according to teapartystudents.org.

In an interview with the Justice, Perdichizzi said that the TPN at Brandeis is about the “role of government in the lives of people.”

“All these people seem to just be reawakened to this idea of their role in the country as citizens of the democratic process. It’s really just a revival of political activism,” she said.

In response to Phillips’ speech, President of College Democrats Amber Kornreich ’12, who attended the event, wrote in an e-mail to the Justice, “I am truly horrified by Phillips’ proud disregard for the condition of our nation’s poor [and] hazy understanding of economic history. ... However, I am really impressed with the Brandeis Tea Party, the event was extremely provocative.”

BRIEF

Student groups to help organize Japan relief efforts Multiple student groups on campus have joined together to raise money for the American Red Cross in response to the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that affected the northeastern coast of Japan on March 11.

The Japanese Student Association, the Intercultural Center, the Brandeis Asian-American Student Association, the Muslim Student Association, the Shapiro Campus Center team and Waltham Group are all working together to fundraise.

In an interview with the Justice, Chiaki Fujiwara ’11, an international student from Japan who has taken a lead in the fundraising efforts, said the first fundraising event will be the sale of red rubber bracelets provided by JSA that read “Pray for Japan” and will be sold for $3 each or two bracelets for $5.

The bracelets will be sold in the Shapiro Campus Center, the Usdan Student Center and the Lemberg Academic Center and will also be offered to students of the Rabb Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the Heller School for Social Policy and Management as soon as the bracelets arrive, as early as Wednesday, said Fujiwara.

According to Fujiwara, no official goal for fundraising has been determined, but JSA ordered 2,000 bracelets.

Fujiwara said that the bracelets were first purchased with the help of funds from a faculty member whom she did not name.

The ICC has donated $500 toward the cost of the bracelets to reimburse that faculty member and students involved with fundraising are negotiating with the East Asian

Studies program to secure more funding, Fujiwara explained.

Moreover, BAASA has pledged to donate part of the proceeds from their SKINS fashion show toward the relief efforts. In an interview with the Justice, Co-president of BAASA Victoria Lee ’13 said that 30 to 40 percent of the proceeds will likely go to the relief efforts.

Lee said that outside of the donation from the SKINS fashion show, BAASA will be involved with advertising and promoting fundraising efforts.

According to Fujiwara, Waltham Group is considering holding a Japanese cultural awareness event, although no details have been solidified.

—Fiona Lockyer

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THE JUSTICE

HOUSING: Students record thoughts on housing CONTINUED FROM 1 system would include finding a better way to explain the housing process to students.

Acheampong said in an interview with the Justice that students are concerned about housing conditions and believe that renovations are necessary in residence halls such as East Quad, The Castle and the Foster Mods.

Senator-at-Large Beneva Davies ’13 worked the Student Union housing assessment table and said that the process can be particularly difficult for firstyear students.

“This is their first time around; … the emotional baggage was the biggest [issue] for them,” she said in an interview with the Justice.

She explained that the emotional aspect includes tensions between friends because of the stress of the housing process.

Student Union Vice President Shirel Guez ’12 also worked the Student Union table in the SCC. In an interview with the Justice, she said, “[The assessment project] was a good way to gauge the feelings about housing on campus.”

“The general sense is that people are unhappy with the system the way it is. People didn’t like the lottery system, people didn’t like the fact that housing runs out pretty early and if you get like number 2,000 then you feel like there is no hope,” added Guez.

Guez said that the Student Union will speak with the DCL and will hopefully discuss renovations of dormitories.

“We are hoping in the future, maybe a future Student Union will get another [residence hall], because as the years progress and as we have larger class sizes, … there [will be] less available housing,” she added.

Acheampong’s March 18 e-mail also listed dining, the pool and transportation as top concerns among students.

These data were collected from a survey that was included in a February 15 e-mail from Acheampong to the undergraduate student body.

The survey asked: “Which services would you like to see improve?”, “What would you like [Fred Lawrence's] administration to focus on?” and “How can the Student Union better represent and advocate for you?”

According to Acheampong, about 285 students responded to the survey as of the March 20 interview, but he was unsure of the final number. He wrote in the March 18 e-mail that the Student Union has “heard your concerns about dining, and are working with the administration and dining services to increase food options and variety.”

Student Union representatives are working to make improvements to the dining experience on campus, and new initiatives regarding dining will be announced in the State of the Union address, according to Acheampong.

According to Acheampong, members of the Student Union expressed student concerns about the pool to a Board of Trustees meeting last semester, and the administration has acknowledged the pool as a significant issue for students.

"We need a pool to support our athletics program and to provide a convenient and safe space for members of the community who need this important facility," noted Acheampong in his March 18 e-mail to the undergraduate student body.

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TUESDAY, march 22, 2011

5

STUDENT LIFE

Daffodil Day donations increase ■ The fundraising goal was

exceeded by nearly $1,000, and all proceeds will be donated to a cancer charity.

By ERICA COOPERBERG JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

This past February, Brandeis hosted Daffodil Days, a fundraiser to benefit The American Cancer Society, according to Michelle Stoisits ’11, a coordinator for the Waltham Group Community Connections program.

The event raised $2,214, exceeding its fundraising goal by nearly $1,000.

Daffodil Days, which is a fundraiser hosted by universities nationwide, was organized at Brandeis this year

by Alyssa Cooke, a member of the Employee Relations and Employment sector of the Office of Human Resources, and the three coordinators of Community Connections: Stoisits, Dana Bahir

’12 and Zoe Ollagnon ’13. Cooke acted as a liaison between the American Cancer Society and Community Connections, passing along information and marketing ideas.

In an interview with the Justice, Stoisits explained that Community Connections is a “unique program [whose] mission isn’t one specific target,” and the group focuses on performing various community service activities for communities that are not serviced by other Waltham groups.

Community Connections primarily organizes the service fair at Brandeis and focuses on “one-time volunteer events.”

Brandeis first became involved with Daffodil Days over a decade ago after a former employee lost a relative to cancer, Cooke wrote in an e-mail to the Justice.

Fundraiser participants sell various daffodil arrangements, ranging in price from $10 to $15, which donors can purchase and have delivered to

campus for pickup, said Stoisits. It also offers the option of “gifts for hope, which [sends the flowers] to local cancer patients” via anonymous donation.

After raising $1,087 from the campaign last year, Community Connections hoped to raise more money, so they set a higher goal of $1,250 for 2011.

However, their final total was “above and beyond our expectations,” Stoisits said.

Cooke attributed the fundraiser’s success, in part, to the economy’s growing health. “Due to the economy during the past few years, donations … [have] declined. I think our turnout is a true testament [that] confirms that the economy is getting better,” she wrote.

The American Cancer Society’s new “user-friendly website, which allowed people to navigate smoothly, donate online and view team progress” was another contributing factor to their success, wrote Cooke. This

made it possible for students, faculty and staff to donate money at their own convenience.

Cooke and Stoisits both agreed that the communication and advertising of Daffodil Days was better this year, which they believe helped the large increase in donations. Stoisits noted that Community Connections took advantage of many different methods of communication. For example, they placed posters around campus, e-mailed listservs, used Student Union announcements and advertised on Facebook. This was all in addition to putting fliers in student mailboxes and tabling in the Usdan Student Center, with which Colleges Against Cancer, another University program, assisted.

The “overwhelming success” of this year has left Cooke with hope for the future: “As long as we continue with an effective [communication] process, I am sure each goal will be met in the years to come.”

DIANA WANG/the Justice

Defining LGBT rights Panelists Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, Gunner Scott and Carl Sciortino presented “From the Grassroots to City Hall and the State House: LGBT Rights in Massachusetts” yesterday, where students listened attentively as the panel explored the current and future directions of the LGBT movement in Massachusetts.

JAPAN: Abroad program suspended CONTINUED FROM 1 tempting to develop a plan for students to work remotely so they can finish their studies and not lose credit.” In a March 21 e-mail to the Justice, Van Der Meid wrote that the Office of Study Abroad is working with other offices such as the Department of Community Living to assist students in returning to Brandeis and completing their KCJS coursework.

In his e-mail to the Justice, Swartz wrote, “Currently my program is try-

ing to set up a system online to finish the classes. As of right now I am not sure how that will play out, but I am hopeful that I will receive all my credit.”

Richardson also wrote, “The general idea, however, is that we will submit work via e-mail to our professors, especially final projects and the like, by a given deadline. Exact details are uncertain, since the announcement of this suspension came at the start of the weekend, and our professors haven’t had a chance to communicate

their intentions to us yet.”

In a March 21 e-mail to the Justice, Van Der Meid wrote that while students have been approved for study abroad in Japan for the fall and spring of next year, it is too early to confirm whether their programs will run. “We are working with those approved for the fall to have back up plans in place,” he wrote. Students from the International Business School can still choose to study abroad at Waseda University or Keio University in Japan, IBS Director of Marketing and Com-

munications Matthew Parillo wrote in an e-mail to the Justice.

He also wrote that the IBS is in communication with its partner universities in Japan “to learn more about the situation on the ground to determine if any restrictions are needed on our part.” No IBS students are currently studying abroad in Japan, according to the BrandeisNOW article. Of the three students who were planning to study abroad in Japan, one is still interested in going to Japan later on, Parillo wrote in his e-mail.

HONORS: Faculty will consider proposal CONTINUED FROM 1 it can be approved. The first vote will be during the next faculty meeting, which is on April 14, and the second vote will be held the meeting after.

The proposal must be approved both times in order to be implemented. If the proposal is not passed in a vote, the UCC will analyze feedback from the faculty to determine whether to revise the proposal or not.

“If it is pretty unanimous among the faculty that they believe that [the UCC] shouldn’t change [Latin] honors, then it’s probably something that will not go back to the committee,” said Godsoe. However, Godsoe added

that if the faculty presents recommendations for the proposal, it would be reviewed by the UCC. According to Jaffe, current Latin honors at the University are awarded to members of the graduating class based on GPA. He further explained that students with a GPA of at least 3.5 graduate cum laude. To graduate magna cum laude, students must have a GPA of at least 3.7, and they need a 3.8 GPA and departmental honors to be awarded summa cum laude.

Last year, 59 percent of graduating seniors were awarded some type of Latin honors, according to Jaffe.

Out of that 59 percent, 25 percent of

the graduating class was awarded cum laude, 23 percent was awarded magna cum laude and 11 percent was awarded summa cum laude, according to Jaffe in a follow-up e-mail to the Justice.

Jaffe stated that the percentage of the graduating class receiving Latin honors has been increasing since 2006. Among the members of the Class of 2006, 49 percent of students received Latin honors. That ratio remained the same for the Class of 2007 and rose to 51 percent for the Class of 2008, and then to 52 percent for the Class of 2009.

Jaffe said that for the past academic year, the UCC had been discussing the

possibility of raising the standards but declined to list which specific members drafted the actual proposal.

Godsoe said that the UCC found that the University had been distributing Latin honors at a higher rate compared to what Godsoe referred to as “other highly selective universities” in the United States. Jaffe said that the current distribution method is not an “appropriate way of using Latin honors” because the Latin honors are “supposed to be a recognition of extraordinary academic accomplishment” and would be better demonstrated with the UCC’s new proposal.

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features

TUESDAY, march 22, 2011

just

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THE JUSTICE

VERBATIM | JOHN ADAMS There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.

ON THIS DAY…

FUN FACT

In 1982, NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on its third mission.

In 1634, tulip bulbs were a form of currency in Holland.

Beyond the classroom HILARY HEYISON/the Justice

PASSIONATE FELLOWS: The seven Experiential and Community-Engaged Learning fellows sport matching shirts to raise awareness of their goals to develop and include more dynamic classes in the University curriculum.

Brandeis students advocate a more hands-on style for learning By pinky polack JUSTICE contributing WRITER

We all have a boring class with a slow-moving professor. We shuffle back and forth in our chair, fidgeting with our pen, uneasily fixing our eyes on the clock. We long to learn outside the classroom and to turn the pedagogical routine into something dynamic.

Established a year ago, Experiential and Community-Engaged Learning consists of seven Brandeis fellows with “a passion and love for experiential learning” who are working to fill the need for more exciting and experiential classes, according to ExCEL fellow Robyn Blumberg ’11.

The ExCEL group is currently building and finding its place within the Brandeis community. “[Experiential learning is] anything where you are experiencing something other than a lecture hall,” Blumberg says.

You sit in a lecture and you don’t see anything beyond. We take experiential learning and make it a more powerful tool,” elucidated Blumberg.

This ranges from internships and studying abroad to volunteer work to just learning outside of the normal classroom environment.

“It’s a more real-world experience; it’s bringing the textbook to life,” Sadye Sagov ’13, an ExCEL fellow, says.

“A lot of this year was used to develop us as a group,” Sagov says.

“This semester is more about outreach,” fellow Aziz Sohail ’13 says.

“We want it to be a known resource, like the Roosevelt Fellows are.”

For some fellows such as Sohail, their passion has come from their own experiential learning outside the classroom.

“For me, it comes naturally because I do studio art, something which is inherently experiential,” Sohail explains.

He also emphasized the possibilities for experiential learning when looking beyond academics in his classroom, illustrated by his intern-

ship with the Hiatt Career Center.

“I did an internship at Hiatt as an employer-relations intern. It was my job to make databases of our alumni, potential employers and to oversee our strengths and weaknesses.”

Sagov also discovered the excitement of experiential learning while participating in an art class titled “Looking with the Learner” with Brandeis Prof. Robin Dash, a lecturer in education.

“For the first 5 weeks of the course, we explored [a] museum,” Sagov explains. “We would come in, no lecturing, and we would talk about the art and write about it,” Sagov says.

“For the second part of the program, we brought students from Stanley Elementary School [in Waltham], and we would do all kinds of activities with them regarding art.

We were students of Robin Dash, but we were also teachers for the kids,” she says.

The group of fellows is currently working in tandem with the administration to build and promote experiential learning, and has already collaborated with a handful of administrators, including Dean of Career Services Joseph Du Pont, Director of Community Service Lucas Malo and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences Elaine Wong, to develop new, hands-on classes and to incorporate more of them into course selection.

Sohail is currently working with Cindy Cohen, director of Ethics Center Programs in Peacebuilding and the Arts, to develop an experiential learning class that focuses on peacebuilding in the arts.

Some of the ExCEL fellows’ current endeavors are raising awareness of the program and educating students about the ExCEL goals during Experiential Learning Week, which began yesterday and will last until March 24.

The theme of the week is centered on the love of experiential learning, and the group is giving out shirts and pins stating “I heart EL” to grab attention.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AZIZ SOHAIL

ICE CREAM PROMOTION: The ExCEL fellows handed out free ice cream and food yesterday as part of Experiential Learning week.

The group is hosting a variety of events over the week, including a cupcake social yesterday and coffeehouses featuring all kinds of entertainment from improvisation groups to a cappella performances.

This week is meant to build excitement for the EL2 symposium, an event that will feature more than 80 Brandeis students who have taken part in some form of experiential learning.

The symposium, taking place on April 7, will feature both panel and poster components, where students will explain their experiences.

The presentations will be diverse, ranging from experiences that include academia, social service, creative arts and research.

It will also highlight a speech from University President Frederick Lawrence.

The goal of the symposium is to

educate participants about the presenter’s experiences and to encourage participants to make experiential learning part of their own lives and memories.

The ExCEL fellows say that with the student body’s added awareness of all the innovative educational opportunities that are available, they hope more students will opt for programs that reach beyond the classroom.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AZIZ SOHAIL

THE JUSTICE

TUESDAY, March 22, 2011

A passion for the law ●

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ROBYN SPECTOR/the Justice

CONNECTING WITH STUDENTS: Daniel Breen, pictured with Sujin Han ’12, engages students both in and out of the classroom.

Daniel Breen makes classrooms more engaging with his personal experience By rocky reichman justice staff writer

ASHER KRELL/the Justice

LEGAL SCHOLAR: Daniel Breen is known for his unique and dynamic teaching style.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ROBYN SPECTOR/the Justice

IN THE BOOKS: Daniel Breen reads about science and religion, two areas he studies.

When asked their reasons for entering an intellectual field like legal studies, it is not uncommon for people to give reasons akin to having the ability to do research in the field or to share one’s knowledge of the law.

They may teach because they prefer the slow pace of academic life or because they usually get summers off.

But Daniel Breen, a lecturer for the Legal Studies program, has his own unique reasons for entering the field. When asked why he went into law, Breen attributes it mostly to lineage.

“My father had been a lawyer and it always seemed to me to be a good, interesting career,” Breen said.

“I was one of the few people who would stay late at night at the law library to read articles on subjects I was interested in,” Breen recalled of his early days studying law. “[Law] always attracted me as an intellectual discipline.”

But something else served as a significant influence on Breen: While his career in law began as a result of his lineage and intellectual attraction, it has been his real-life experiences witnessing and hearing firsthand accounts of injustice that have made him so passionate about law and have furthered his career.

One of Breen’s first experiences studying law in a more hands-on way came when he decided to study abroad while he was attending the University of Wisconsin in the 1980s.

Breen chose to study abroad in Kathmandu, Nepal because it allowed him to see what happens when corruption disrupts the law. According to Breen, corruption was rampant, and the law was like a friendly parent in Nepal—present, but not in

control of the situation. Breen’s time in Nepal allowed him to see “firsthand how damaging it could be if a society lacks the rule of law. There was a great deal of corruption, which led to a sense of despair,” he said.

“My project there was interviewing members of the government. [I] heard from them tales of dishonesty happening in the country while I was there.”

Following his time in Nepal, practical experience became a crucial aspect of law for Breen.

“I always felt my practical experience as a lawyer was really valuable, because you really get a sense for the complexity of legal doctrine and [how] to evaluate it according to how you see that doctrine affect people around you in practice.”

Nepal, therefore, served as a mere start for Breen’s career. He went on to work as a clerk for a United States district judge in Georgia and then worked for a law firm in Atlanta until the recession of 1992. When there was little work during the recession, Breen decided to switch his course and pursue graduate work.

In 1998, Breen answered an advertisement and landed a job here at Brandeis, teaching under Prof. Richard Gaskins (AMST) and working as a Guberman Teaching Fellow in the “Introduction to Law” course.

As more opportunities presented themselves to Breen, he started to co-teach and eventually began teaching his own classes, mostly in legal studies and philosophy.

Since Breen’s time at Brandeis, he has started teaching “Science on Trial,” one of his most well-known courses. The course, according to Breen, allows him to talk about not only law on a philosophical level, but in regard to science as well.

The course “asks how the very

distinct discourses of science and law affect each other and help to make public policy,” he explained.

For Breen, the unique classes he teaches, including “Civil Liberties in America” this semester, allow him to utilize his dynamic teaching style which is often talked about and has the ability to excite any class.

Breen is often noted for his constant movement around the classroom and his engaging actions as he lectures. When he’s not moving, Breen keeps a captivated audience with his ability to remain fixed in interesting positions during class, a skill he says his acquired during his time living in Nepal.

“While there, we would often go to different villages around the city.

And the way they would sit, tell stories and commune with each other was in a squatting position that helped me develop strong ankles. It’s all in the ankles,” Breen joked.

Breen also emphasizes his students when discussing his success and love for teaching. “Brandeis students are quite challenging, so I do prepare as much as I can, because you guys know a lot.”

While Breen is loved for his engaging teaching style, he adds that his speaking skills have developed over time.

“When I was younger, I was petrified of speaking in public. I didn’t speak up in class in college or law school. I dreaded the first history class I taught because I did not like to get up in front of people and talk,” he said.

“When I began to [teach], I began to learn how enjoyable it was to talk about things I cared about,” Breen said.

“To me, it was so much fun that ultimately I put aside most of my fears.”

t h e b oa r d o f t r u st e e s of brandeis university announces

the inauguration of

F R E D E R I C K M A R T I N L AW R E N C E thursday, march thirty - first

2:00 pm gosman sports and convocation center

Student and staff tickets are available at Brandeis Tickets in the Shapiro Campus Center, Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m., until March 25.

Each person will be required to show a Brandeis I.D. and will receive one ticket.

Faculty must register at www.brandeis.edu/inauguration/registration

The

Inaugural

Ball

celebrating the diversity of brandeis

s at u r d ay , a p r i l s e c o n d

8:30 pm — 12:30 am gosman sports and convocation center , shapiro gym

Celebrate the inauguration of President Lawrence with a night of entertainment, dancing and fun.

Guests will be energized by the music of the White Heat Swing Orchestra, one of the nation’s hottest swing bands, and by DJ Marcos and DJ Sensation, two of Brandeis’ hottest student DJs. This semiformal event will showcase the diversity of the Brandeis community. Guests are encouraged to wear attire from their cultures.

Tickets are available at Brandeis Tickets in the Shapiro Campus Center, Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m., until March 25. Each person will be required to show a Brandeis I.D. and will receive up to two tickets.

Sponsored by the Division of Student Life and the Presidents’ Office. for more informatio n , v i s i t w w w. b r a n d e i s . e d u / i n a u g u r a t i o n

THE JUSTICE

TALI SMOOKLER/the Justice

LENDING A HAND: Andrew Mandel ’11 helps prepare the food to be served to those in need.

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TUESDAY, March 22, 2011

guest

DIANA WANG/the Justice

GETTING ACQUAINTED : Andrew Mandel ’11 (left) and Matt Greenzang ’13 (right) chat with a woman while visiting the Community Day Center in Waltham.

Be our

Brandeis students donate food to the poor with unused meals

By Mustapha Isa JUSTICE contributing WRITER

Each semester we find ourselves with an abundance of meals and points that go unused.

A fairly new and growing group within the Hunger and Homelessness program in the Waltham Group—Brandeis Be Our Guest— has come up with an ingenious way for the Brandeis community to give back to the less fortunate in the greater Waltham area using extra guest meals.

“There are a lot of things that contributed to my thinking about BBOG, [and] one of them was that people just don’t use their guest meals, which means wasted money, and in a lot of cases it’s also a lot of wasted food. And people are always looking for easy and lightweight ways to donate,” says Elizabeth Stoker ’13, who initiated BBOG in spring 2010 .

Stoker immediately started talking with Lucas Malo, the director of community service at Brandeis, about her idea. Malo helped her get started by introducing her to the coordinators of the Waltham Group’s Hunger and Homelessness program.

BBOG “is a program that allows students to donate their guest meals, and Aramark gives us food depending on how [many] meals we gather,” says Andrew Mandel ’11, one of the Waltham Group’s three Hunger and Homelessness coordinators.

Meals donated to BBOG come from students who send their Brandeis student ID numbers to BBOG and specify how many meals they wish to donate. BBOG then sends this information in a spreadsheet to Aramark, the provider of dining services at Brandeis.

“Aramark has hired some new people recently and it has been great working with them,” Mandel says, noting that prior to the change in staff, it wasn’t entirely smooth sailing for the members of this up-and-coming group.

“People think that Aramark is this evil corporation, but they’ve been so helpful and we would have never been able to go along with this program without their support. I want people to know that they are doing a lot of good and having a lot of impact on the Waltham community,” Mandel added.

The initial proposals for the group underwent a number of changes before the plans were finalized, and Stoker explained how difficult it was to set up BBOG as it is now. At

DIANA WANG/the Justice

GAME TIME: Andrew Jung ’13 plays a game of chess with a visitor before lunch started at the Center. first, the plan was to bring homeless people to Brandeis, but the idea was shot down due to the numerous liability and legal issues that would ensue.

The next plan was to go buffet-style, where they would take the food back to the Waltham Common, cook it up and let anybody come eat, but that idea was also rejected. “Weather, food and safety were some of the concerns brought up, so that got vetoed as well,” Stoker says.

Eventually, BBOG decided to visit and help out at homeless shelters, where they are able to maintain consistent relationships with the places and people they visit.

With seven current members, BBOG’s ac-

complishments are impressive despite its small size. “We have a good dedicated core of BBOG members; they’re there every time we need them—totally committed,” Stoker says of the group.

“When we do go to serve food, we have more than enough people to help,” Mandel says.

“We’re not turning people away if they’re interested,” Stoker says.

Despite being a fairly new group on campus, BBOG seems to have gotten positive responses and plenty of people who are psyched and more than happy to donate meals.

“There’s just so much food but so little time.

We get e-mails from people wanting to donate,

and we always have to turn some down,” Stoker says, explaining that BBOG is not constantly in service and therefore isn’t always in a collection period. There also are a limited number of homeless shelters nearby that they can access frequently.

BBOG’s main partner is the Community Day Center of Waltham. A day shelter is different from a homeless shelter in that it doesn’t close during the day and instead lets its patrons utilize its various services such as counseling, career resources, food and even computers.

Last semester BBOG collected over 200 meals in only 2 weeks. “In a very short period of time, we had a staggering number of people who were wiling to give all their five guest meals,” Stoker says.

“We basically went around to [the] Usdan [Student Center] and Sherman [Dining Hall] asking people if they wanted to donate their meals to charity. ... We canvassed, mail-boxed and we put up a lot of fliers in dorms,” she continues.

“Part of BBOG that is also exciting is that it’s also about relationships and friendships,” Stoker says, making this evident by describing the management structure of the group.

“We don’t have a hierarchical structure— there’s no president of BBOG, no king of BBOG. … Anyone can meet with Aramark, everyone has access to our e-mail account and anyone can make decisions and commitments. Its just all consensus-based—everyone’s involved,” Stoker says.

BBOG plans to make a trip next week to the Community Day Center of Waltham to cook and commune with its residents. BBOG also plans to host a points drive towards the end of the semester, during which students can donate their unused points to collect food items like energy bars, trail mix, snacks, etc.

“I know that a lot of people think that [the] Waltham Group at Brandeis is a huge commitment … but BBOG doesn’t require ... a gigantic commitment. That’s really all it takes—one afternoon you can be a part of BBOG,” Stoker says.

“When you give people power and when you give them control and ownership and responsibility, people give back a lot, and that has been the case with BBOG volunteers, they give a lot back. Because the program is just as much theirs as anybody else’s.”

Editor’s note: Elizabeth Stoker ’13 is a Forum staff writer for the Justice.

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TUESDAY, March 22, 2011

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THE JUSTICE

Justice Justice

the the

Established 1949, Brandeis University

Brandeis University

Established 1949

Brian Fromm, Editor in Chief Rebecca Blady, Managing Editor Brian N. Blumenthal, Production Editor Emily Kraus, Deputy Editor Ian Cutler, Asher Krell, Nashrah Rahman, Robyn Spector and Jillian Wagner, Associate Editors Fiona Lockyer, News Editor Dafna Fine, Features Editor Eitan Cooper, Forum Editor Jeffrey Boxer, Sports Editor Wei-Huan Chen, Arts Editor Yosef Schaffel and Tali Smookler, Photography Editors Debra Friedmann, Layout Editor Marielle Temkin, Copy Editor Cody Yudkoff, Advertising Editor

Honors proposal may disappoint The Undergraduate Curriculum Committee recently approved a proposal to change the method by which the University distributes Latin honors to graduating students beginning with the Class of 2016. Under the new system, which calculates honors based on percentages rather than using different grade-point averages as benchmarks, significantly fewer students would graduate with honors. This editorial board supports the idea of fewer students receiving Latin honors; this new system will attempt to ensure that these notations reward only the best students. However, this board is uncomfortable with the fact that Latin honors will be calculated on a percentage basis, as this may invoke unhealthy competition within the student body that will change Brandeis’ academic atmosphere.

The proposed changes seem to have merit. With 59 percent of the previous year’s senior class graduating with honors, students’ extraordinary achievements were not being sincerely highlighted. The new system would decrease that number to only 30 percent of the senior class with Latin honors, ensuring that only the most-deserving students receive honors. The plan of using percentiles ensures that a consistently small fraction of the graduating class earns Latin honors without a defined benchmark for academic achievement,

Approach changes differently as the current system does. While this does guarantee that the best of the class gets honors, this also necessitates that the University rank students by GPA. However, class rankings hold the potential to inject an often-unhealthy atmosphere of competition into academia.

This would affect Brandeis’ academic environment, which many view as based on personal drive and not on intense competition.

Because of the potentially negative effects of a percentage-based system, we encourage the UCC to consider working with the current system for Latin honors by simply raising the GPA benchmarks for each honor level. For example, instead of needing a GPA of 3.5 for cum laude, students would have to earn a 3.6 or a 3.7. This would ensure that a smaller amount of students earn Latin honors and keep the proportion of honors students small. This system would also help to avoid an aura of additional unhealthy competition from infiltrating our unique academic atmosphere.

While the University should encourage students work hard to earn the honors they deserve at graduation, students should also be able to continue to study for the sake of their personal achievement instead of focusing on competing with their peers.

Justice League’s method incorrect On Monday, March 14 the Justice League instructed students to check their mailboxes through a campaign called “Your Mailbox Misses You.” Ballots in the mailboxes proclaimed that meal plans at Brandeis are “clearly a rip-off,” and asked students to indicate their concerns by checking boxes that correlated to prewritten lamentations about the meal plans. While this board commends student involvement in matters that directly affect our lives, we are disappointed by how the Justice League has handled this particular endeavor.

According to its website, the Justice League “advocate[s] for a Brandeis that lives up to its ideals.” In this effort, though, the League failed to make a persuasive argument for how it would effect change on this campus. The League did not specify exactly what its argument is, nor did the group provide a sophisticated rationale for its action.

Additionally, the ballots, which were theoretically created to gauge student opinions, provided only a one-sided forum that did not allow students to express varied points of view: Students could either agree with a Leagueproposed qualm by checking “Yes!” or abstain from voting as a means of expressing disagreement. In order for the Justice League to accurately gauge student opinions, they should have included multiple options on the ballots. As it stands, the lack of options will cause an unbalanced vote and does not allow for a diversity of student opinion. There is no way to know if the Justice League is actually representing students or if it is just using this vote to advance its own platform and support its own views, and presenting the results of this survey as

Ballots crafted poorly indicative of student opinion is unfair to the student body.

The League says that it will “handdeliver” the ballots to University President Frederick Lawrence; however, this indicates that the group is more concerned with causing a sensation than producing tangible results. In order to create a movement for change, the Justice League should research which administrators would be most able to aid its campaign and meet with them to find out what steps would be most appropriate to effect change.

One example of effective advocacy for change came this past week, when the Student Union held office hours, videotaping students’ opinions about housing in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium.

Additionally, an e-mail was sent out on Feb. 15 containing a survey asking students what their top concerns were and proceeded to respond in a timely and effective way.

The format through which the Union gauged the opinion of the student body was much more appropriate than the ballots the Justice League utilized. The Justice League should consider following the Union’s example and using a similar format—in which students are actually able to speak their minds— rather than asking students to check a box that may not capture the subtlety of individual students’ ideas.

While the League’s intention of advocating for students’ interests is commendable, the execution of its ideas needs more planning and thought in order for the League to be as effective as it could be.

A. ELI TUKACHINSKY/the Justice

Social media may vanquish racism Elizabeth

Stoker Brevity

OP-BOX

Quote of the Week

“It is the biggest chance we have as a student culture club to share our unique culture and tremendous talent.”

—Korean Student Association Vice President Sujin Han ‘12 on this Saturday’s K-Nite (See Arts, page 19).

Brandeis Talks Back What you notice about the things that bug you says a lot about you. For instance, when there are people making a lot of noise in the library, what do you immediately observe about them? Does their loudness, rudeness or unruliness occur to you first? Or is it their race? For Alexandra Wallace, the University of California, Los Angeles student who posted a YouTube video about her library troubles earlier this month, cell phone conversations in quiet spaces can only be chalked up to the individual’s racial background, specifically if he or she is Asian.

The video was, frankly, mind-boggling; Wallace discussed her belief that Asian families don’t teach their children to fend for themselves, mocked the sound of Asian languages with a string of utterances straight out of 1940s propaganda pieces and suggested that all Asian UCLA students need to learn “American manners.”

The video’s explosive content immediately earned a range of responses. There were calls for the University to terminate her attendance, demands for an apology and, very shortly, the publication of much of her personal information. Those lucky enough to have Southern Californian friends most likely recall the sudden surge of responses on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube that has only now started to abate due to Wallace’s announcement that she will no longer be taking classes at UCLA. Yet now, in retrospect, discussion has begun of the actions of the many parties who responded to Wallace. The debate over whether or not the community response was appropriate seems to be divided into two parts, with one half believing Wallace deserved to be castigated and ostracized, and the other half feeling that her freedom of speech was brought under attack.

In my opinion, the very opposite of the latter happened. At no point did any government agency ever cause Wallace to retract her statements; therefore, her freedom of speech, as guaranteed by the First Amendment, was never violated. What happened was instead far more inspirational—rather than demanding that her message be silenced, people listened and responded to Wallace. She was made quite aware, very shortly after the posting of her video, that her community does not approve of racism in any form, even the insidious “non-politically correct” observational type that sometimes passes for bluntness or honesty.

The real stars of this show were, however, not the individuals who answered and argued Wallace’s claims with such impressive immediacy but rather the media through which those debates took place. If this situation is evidence of anything, it’s of the increasingly important role social networking and media websites are taking on in the political sphere, especially among youth.

The ability to create groups, join groups, plan expertly organized events and reach vast numbers of people in an instant turned what could have been a shoddily thrown together picket a few days after the posting of the video into an almost instantaneous show of solidarity among the grieved parties in this instance, and has aided in recent protest efforts around the world. In the case of quick responses to all sorts of problems, the power they place in the hands of their ordinary users cannot be doubted.

Still, I feel the most important thing to recognize about Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and all other hands-on, user-friendly social-networking and media sites is not their propensity to enable protest efforts. Rather, it is the extremely important role they play in the ongoing support of free speech. In a country in which the bad things—the disgusting things, the cruel things and the hateful things—are not censored by the government, they must be responded to by the free public. What once could have been either a dangerous gathering of mobs or tedious process of writing letters to newspapers has now become fast, portable and, in this case, relatively peaceful. It is our obligation, after all, to decry racist speech the moment it is added to our environment—with social-networking sites at our fingertips, we can do that better than ever.

I don’t feel sorry for Alexandra Wallace. I’m not even angry at her anymore. Instead, I feel a strange sense of pride at what we were able to do and say as a youth community in such a small stretch of time using only the time-wasting websites we fiddle with all day and our sheer force of will.

What do you think of Hillel’s decision to not include Jewish Voice for Peace as one of its member groups?

Michael Baum ’12 “I hope Hillel still supports peace.”

Deborah Paradise ’12 “I think it’s their decision.

They seem to have a solid argument from their perspective”

Daniel Marks ’14 “I don’t really know about the situation at all.”

Maya Grant ’13 “If Hillel is a Jewish organization, wouldn’t they want to affiliate themselves with another Jewish group? Groups on campus should network with each other. “ —Compiled by Eitan Cooper Photos by Tali Smookler/ the Justice

THE JUSTICE

READER COMMENTARY Redefine Hillel policies In response to your editorial “Hillel correct in asserting values” (March 15): The current criteria that you must support Israel as a Jewish and democratic state runs against Zionists who never wanted a state, and diasporic Jews who see themselves in a continuum with centuries of Jewish challenges to oppression who fought for open societies and social justice for all. It seems that the boundaries set up by a Zionism that is nationalistic erases and forbids other Jewish traditions from being at the table. Perhaps one could argue that their is some anti-Semitism involved in that attack and erasure of other goals that represent the kinds of struggles that Jews waged for centuries and continue to wage in the many movements for rights, equality and justice that do not exclude Palestinians.

—Marla Erlien Boston

Hillel acted appropriately

In response to your editorial “Hillel correct in asserting values” (March 15): As Americans, we are so imbued with the concept of “freedom of speech” that we regard it as an inalienable right. The iconic “fire!” in the movie theater proves it to be less than inalienable and Brandeis Hillel’s unwillingness to accept Jewish Voice for Peace is much the same.

Let Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, decide for itself what its future path will be. It is inappropriate for American Jewish students, particularly those who do it out of “love,” to interfere with the Israeli political and commercial landscape. Would these same students show a similar public lack of loyalty to their parents and siblings? I hope not. It is really offensive that Jews are often their own worst enemies. Kudos to Brandeis Hillel.

—Rosanne Litwak West Orange, NJ

Atheism can lead to ethical living In response to your article “Atheists on campus require support” (Forum, March 8): While I agree it is difficult to form community around religious beliefs that you don’t have and religious experiences that you are specifically avoiding, I see atheists as having some positive beliefs above and beyond the mere absence of religious belief. Deliberate, conscious atheism tends to correlate with certain approaches to intellectual inquiry. It makes different assumptions about our origins and our place in the natural world. It comes with a different understanding of how ethics and morality work in the social world and how they are justified. In this way, it leads to Humanism, which is a commitment to ethical living that is based on things that humans understand and control. A secular club that just happens not to focus on anything particularly religious does not meet a need for atheist community. The other members of the club might be theists and might not be open to, or knowledgeable about, discussing anything from an atheist perspective.

—Tucker Lieberman Waltham The writer is the editor of Moral Relativism Magazine

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TUESDAY, MArch 22, 2011

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Approach loans with caution

By Sara Shahanaghi JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

For many students and families, a college education is priceless. This doesn’t mean it comes without a price tag—and an increasing one at that. Families that cannot meet the cost apply for financial aid, which can partially alleviate the financial burden in the short run.

Students applying for government aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid are offered loans in addition to their grants. If these loans are not enough, some seek out additional loans from private banks, which generally charge higher interest rates.

Loans are becoming an increasingly common means of dealing with expensive tuitions. According to data gathered by the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, the number of students graduating with debt increased by 27 percent from 2004 to 2008, with 62 percent of students who graduated in 2008 leaving college with debt from student loans.

Furthermore, the amount of students who are depending on loans to pay for college is also increasing: The average debt is $20,200 in 2008, up 20 percent from 2004. It appears as if students have been increasingly forced to rely on loans to bridge the gap between the cost of college and what they can afford.

In theory, a college loan is similar to a small business loan. While a college degree reaps many benefits, from a monetary perspective it serves as a right-of-way for a more lucrative job in the future. Just like a business, it requires a substantial initial start-up cost before said income can be made.

Provided that the additional income earned in a lifetime due to a college degree exceeds the tuition, taking out a loan to temporary finance the cost makes sense.

But college is not just a permit to make more money— it is first and foremost a learning experience. Beyond the classes, students also learn how to approach the decisions associated with adulthood, one of these being financial decisions.

While a college loan may not be nearly as burdensome as a mortgage several years into the future, the fact that it often serves as a student’s first experience with debt can make it significant. The lessons learned from a college loan can influence how the student approaches financial decisions later in life.

Most loan-bearing students will graduate owing more than they’ve ever earned in their lives. A $20,000 college loan may not be reckless in itself, but taking into consideration the recipient, it can be. These loans are given with the expectation that students will be able to pay them off when they start earning an income, a risky assumption given the weak financial base of a new graduate.

Though all loans entail risk, there is a much greater uncertainty following graduation, when many students are not sure if they can or want to immediately find a pay-

MARA SASSOON/the Justice

ing job.

This teaches students that it’s okay to accumulate debt without a plan for how to pay it, a dangerous habit that can result in piling up credit card debt and unrealistic mortgages, a pattern which has been all too common in the past few years.

The current federal loan system can also lay a poor groundwork for students in financial decision making. While those taking out mortgages or other loans are often advised to fully understand the terms of debt before signing the forms, the same approach is often not taken in student loans.

There is a reason behind this: While buying a home can be put off, a college education cannot be. When no other reasonable means of payment exists, considering the terms of the loan before taking it out won’t affect the decision.

However, it is still crucial to understand the terms of the college loan. Doing so will

not only help students realize what they are getting themselves into but also build good financial habits for later in life when there is more of a decision to be made. This is particularly relevant to the sub-prime mortgage crisis, with many speculating that borrowers were more willing to take out risky loans because they didn’t fully understand the terms.

While college loans are far from ideal, they are a necessarily reality students must deal with as college tuitions continue rising. Students should more fully understand what their loans consist of and the risk involved, if not to help in planning repayment but to build good financial habits for the future.

For this reason, the federal loan program should consider putting more emphasis on educating students on the nature of their loans. Such lessons in the proper management of loans could be a crucial addition to any college education.

Don’t avoid activism; support League’s cause

By Aaron Fried JUSTICE Contributing WRITER

Every Brandeis student, at some point in his or her time here, has been on a meal plan, and I would imagine that most of you have noticed the myriad of problems involved with them. As a first-year student, it has not taken me long to become dissatisfied and somewhat outraged by these plans.

Given the fact that I am required to purchase a meal plan, I would expect the University to want students to get food conveniently and at a good value. I have since realized this is not the case.

Meals are inflexible both in what they can be used for and the times during which they can be used. In the Usdan Student Center, they often do not cover nearly enough food to constitute a filling meal.

Points, too, are a complete rip-off. They are worth 1 dollar, but each point costs more than a dollar. The idea that I lose money with each point I use infuriates me, and I would imagine it bothers quite a bit of you as well, especially given the price of tuition.

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Considering the activist student body we have here at Brandeis, I was stunned that there was no major lobbying until the Justice League put ballots in student mailboxes on March 14.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that someone had taken up a cause that affects students so directly, and once I received the ballot, I filled it out immediately and put it into the boxes that the Justice League had put in the mailroom. However, the people around me did not share the same outlook toward this opportunity to change a major problem that affects each and every one of us on a daily basis.

I expected to see a wave of eagerness to improve Brandeis’ food services for present and future students, but I was instead shocked and taken aback by the defeatist attitude of the people I overheard.

Students were pessimistic and most were convinced that there was no way that such a thing could actually persuade the powers that be to change the meal plan or modify Brandeis’ arrangement with Aramark. But if we, the students, do not speak up for our-

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selves, then who will?

Many of you spend hours volunteering for advocacy groups and politically motivated clubs in an attempt to influence the rest of the world. The environmentalist clubs that are constantly putting up signs telling us how to cut down our carbon footprint certainly do not have this defeatist attitude nor do those of us who heed the tips they offer us.

Others among us campaign for humanitarian causes worldwide in an attempt to improve the lives of people across the globe.

I very much doubt that anyone involved in those groups says, “Oh, Darfur is so far away, so we might as well not even try helping the people there.” Brandeis is populated by optimistic students who truly believe that we can have a positive impact on the world around us.

With this kind of student body, it stuns me that so many of us are so negative about our ability to create change. If Brandeis students can be part of groups that influence the outcomes of elections and help to improve the lives of those less fortunate than us, it is ridiculous to state that we cannot improve con-

The Staff

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ditions for ourselves on our own campus.

As a student body, it is our duty to each other and future Brandeisians to improve everything we can about the University. Fortunately, the Justice League has begun to move us in the right direction by giving us an outlet with which we can voice our discontent.

Every single one of us who truly cares about having fair food services that give students decent value for their money ought to sign up for the Justice League’s campaign.

If you do not want to commit to that extent, simply take note of things that you feel are unfair and let our elected officials, Student Union representatives, know about them.

When you notice how ridiculous it is to charge 3 dollars for a cup of apple juice, bring it to the attention of those who have the power to make changes instead of simply complaining to your friends. Such actions take minimal effort, but if we all do our part, we can have a drastic effect on student life.

So, Brandeis, I ask you: Are we merely all talk, or is this truly a campus of dedicated activists committed to bettering everything we can? The decision lies with you.

Editorial Assistants News: Sara Dejene, Andrew Wingens Arts: Emily Salloway Layout: Nan Pang Staff Senior Writer: Josh Asen Senior Illustrators: Rishika Assomull, A. Eli Tukachinsky News: Tyler Belanga, Daniel Heinrich Features: Dave Benger, Rocky Reichman, Deborah Salmon Forum: Hannah Goldberg, Shafaq Hasan, Rebecca Kellogg, Diego Medrano,,Ethan Mermelstein, Liz Posner, Sara Shahanaghi Leah Smith, Avi Snyder, Elizabeth Stoker, Naomi Volk Sports: Julian Cardillo, Jonathan Epstein, Max Goldstein, Sam Liang, Jacob Lurie, Adam Rabinowitz, Natalie Shushan, Jonathan Steinberg

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TUESDAY, MArch 22, 2011

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THE JUSTICE

FORUM

Recognize ROTC on college campuses Liz

Posner But i Digress

In light of the recent repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, universities across the country are beginning to open their gates to a military presence.

Columbia and Harvard Universities both recently reversed their policies that prevented the Reserve Officer Training Corps from recruiting and training on their campuses. Columbia and Harvard are historically trendsetters in higher education. Stanford, Yale and Brown Universities seem well on the road to following their examples, as they are also opening committees to consider the possibility of revoking their bans on the ROTC. It is likely that other colleges and universities across the country will soon follow suit. This is a promising trend that will benefit both American universities and the national military.

Most universities’ opposition to the ROTC is outdated and irrelevant in today’s political climate.

Many schools banned the ROTC in the 1960s in response to student protests against the Vietnam War. It was a political move that allowed students to express their dissatisfaction at the military’s conduct in the war.

The bans remained even after the war ended, later justified as a response to the Clinton administration’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Obviously, with “don’t ask, don’t tell” soon to be behind us, little justification remains to keep the military away from American colleges.

Official recognition of the ROTC on college campuses is especially beneficial to students at liberal arts institutions. Brandeis already hosts an active ROTC program on campus and sends several students to train at Boston University during the semester in addition to maintaining their standard academic schedule on campus. Many universities do not have the same type of relationship with the military, though, and choose to limit their students’ exposure to the military by banning the ROTC. It is time for American colleges to reverse these bans and welcome the organization onto their campuses.

The tension between universities and the military seems especially strange considering the similarities of their goals. Many colleges emphasize their connection to their local and wider communities. Numerous college students are passionate about service work, as evidenced by the popularity of organizations

ARIELLE SHORR/the Justice

like Teach for America, and service organizations are some of the most popular organizations on college campuses.

But why stop at volunteering at a homeless shelter or building a house for a needy family? Universities that encourage community service should also support the ROTC as a service-oriented organization, as they should encourage students to be active in their communities in a variety of ways. Given the open-minded and diverse nature of universities, it only fits that the military should be represented on campus. Moreover, students can

learn much from interacting with the ROTC at their schools. It would give us a stronger insight into our nation’s military and the individuals who take part in it.

I know that I have almost no personal connection to the military.

Like many students at other liberal arts colleges in the U.S., I never even considered the possibility of joining the military. High school was always a direct road to college for me, followed by graduate school or a career, and the military was essentially a foreign body. For the many students who come from a similar background, the experience

of meeting ROTC cadets at college would provide a valuable insight into a facet of American life otherwise unknown to them.

In my experience as a Philosophy major, I’ve met my fair share of conspiracy theorists who hate the government and claim to fear anyone in uniform. The fact of the matter is that we don’t live in a police state, and soldiers should not trigger these anxieties. Perhaps a stronger military presence on campus would help eradicate this paranoia.

In all seriousness, though, American college students might feel closer to their government if they had

a direct connection to the military.

Considering our military situation today, in which American soldiers are deployed thousands of miles from home, it would be refreshing to have a consistent reminder of our military presence in the world.

It might even inspire more students to vote and help turn around the depressingly low voter turnout among young Americans.

And to be honest, I’d support almost any policy that makes college students feel less like they live in a bubble and more like they are a part of a community that extends beyond a wrought-iron gate or a loop road.

Capital punishment expenses are unjustified

By Marielle Temkin JUSTICE Editor

One of the more divisive issues facing Americans today is the death penalty. It’s a touchy subject and one that causes most people to form strong opinions. Personally, I think that capital punishment is a monumental waste of money and resources that could be better spent elsewhere.

Capital punishment is expensive to a mind-blowing extent. Each state has different figures for the cost of the death penalty, but they all have a common ground in that they are all obscenely high.

Let’s look at California first. According to a 2008 report from the California Commission for the Fair Administration of Justice, the death penalty system in California costs taxpayers “$137 million per year; it would cost $11.5 million for a system without the death penalty.”

So to those who would argue that

putting criminals in solitary confinement wouldn’t save that much money, think again. That amount of money isn’t chump change—that is a substantial sum of money that could be used differently.

If California abolished the use of the death penalty, it could save $125.5 million each year. While that may not seem like a huge sum of money to a state that is billions of dollars in debt, the simple fact is that any little bit would help to ease its crippling debt situation. Another shocking statistic comes from a 2005 Los Angeles Times article, and that is the fact that “taxpayers have paid more than $250 million for each of [California’s] executions.” According to statistics from the Death Penalty Information Center, California has executed 13 people since 1976.

If my math is correct, that means Californian taxpayers have paid over $3 billion for executions. So in addition to the $125.5 million they could save each year, California

could also have simply not spent $3 billion.

But that’s just one state. Texas, the state with the highest number of executions since 1976, has executed 466 criminals since 1976, with 17 of those taking place in 2010 and two of them in 2011. According to facts from the Death Penalty Information Center, the average death penalty case in Texas costs $1.2 million, while the average non-death penalty case costs about $3,000.

The DPIC also states that housing a criminal for 40 years in Texas would cost $693,500, which means that Texas could save a little more than $500,000 per each death-row inmate if it abolished the penalty.

Taking into account the 19 executions Texas has performed since 2010, this means that the state could have saved roughly $9.5 million in 15 months.

The point of all these numbers is to show that the death penalty costs so much more than imprison-

ing someone in a cell for the rest of his or her life. Our country is in the middle of a recession, and states are struggling to fund everything from education to hospitals. Why is it that some state governments think it is more important to make sure murderers and rapists get executed than to make sure the schools in their state have enough money to properly educate children?

But here’s the kicker about the cost of the death penalty: The cost is largely due to the lengthy trials that take place before convicting someone to be executed, not because of the actual execution. These trials are significantly longer than non-death penalty cases because the courts want to make sure they are convicting the right person. Obviously, this is a good thing, because we don’t want people to be wrongfully executed. But in spite of all the extra time and resources the courts use per death penalty case, there are still many people who are wrongful-

ly convicted and put on death row.

The Innocence Project was created in 1992, and its mission is to exonerate people who were wrongfully convicted through the use of DNA testing. Since 1992, the Innocence Project has exonerated 267 deathrow inmates.

Even with all of the extra money that states spend on capital punishment cases, all of the extra resources and appeals and all of the careful efforts to avoid putting the wrong person on death row, the states still get it wrong sometimes. In terms of California, this means that the state wasted nearly $125.5 million for every wrong conviction they made.

Maybe it’s just me, but I think that states could save an exorbitant amount of money. We can put our funds to far better uses, like reforming education, and also be certain that they are not going to wrongfully execute someone, it strikes me as being a no-brainer that we would abolish the death penalty for good.

THE JUSTICE

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TUESDAY, March 22, 2011

SPORTS

The tie heard round the world

Coach Pete Varney’s catch finished off Harvard’s 29-29 “win.”

By Jacob lurie JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

Once a year, the Harvard University and Yale University football teams face off in a spectacle known simply as “The Game.”

For the past 127 years, the Crimson and Bulldogs have pushed, shoved, clobbered and hurled one another in a bitter rivalry that has been renewed each generation. To many, the outcome of the Harvard-Yale game is more important than either team’s record for the rest of the season.

Though the days of collegiate football at Brandeis may be long gone, college football continues to be significant to at least one member of the University staff. Pete Varney, the head coach of the Brandeis baseball team, played tight end for Harvard during the late ’60s, and he played an instrumental role in the most famous game between the schools in their storied history. “[The Game is] something that every player looks forward to after they’re admitted to Harvard,” Varney said. “They know their chief rival is Yale, so [everyone] want[s] an opportunity to play in the game—number one, and, number two, [they] want to beat ’em. It’s something you always remember. … It’s a conversation piece for the rest of your life with your teammates.”

Heading into the 1968 matchup, both Harvard and Yale had battled their way to undefeated seasons. Not since 1909 had both Harvard and Yale been undefeated coming into The Game. Interest in the event was thus elevated to unparalleled heights, as a perfect season was now on the line for both teams.

Yale dominated much of the game, scoring early and often.

The Bulldogs seemed to have wrapped up the game, with a lead of 29-13 with less than 1 minute left in the fourth quarter.

“Quite honestly, Yale had dominated the game up to the last 2 minutes. I mean, they were just running all over us,” Varney said.

However, Harvard launched one of the greatest comebacks

of all time, scoring a touchdown with a 2-point conversion and adding a touchdown as time expired to bring the Crimson within 2 points.

“It just seemed like momentum had changed. And it was only for the last 2 minutes of the game. Everything seemed surreal. Everything seemed like a tidal wave.

It was nothing you could control.

It just happened. … There was something magical and mystical about it that everything just went our way.”

In order to tie the game, Harvard had one play to complete a 2-point conversion. The Crimson called on Varney’s number for that play.

“Frank Champi actually came to the huddle—the guy who was quarterbacking then—and said [to me], ‘We’re going to use this.

Get open—I’m coming to you,’” Varney said.

Varney found his way to the end zone and was hit in the midsection by a pass from Champi—a gorgeous completion for 2 points.

In iconic photographs from the day, Varney can be seen raising the football above his head in celebration.

“It was a play that we had run a hundred times that season successfully,” he said. “Basically, even though I was as big as I was—I was like 240—they used to split me out so I was away from the interior line of scrimmage. I was split out like a wide receiver.

Basically, what they were trying to do was use my size as an advantage over whoever was going to be covering me.”

“It’s always better to be remembered as the guy who caught it then as the guy who missed it— that’s for sure,” Varney added.

The game ended in a tie, but it was a remarkable comeback and a victory of sorts for Harvard, who was able to remain undefeated. The headline of the student newspaper, the Harvard Crimson, declared the next day “Harvard Beats Yale, 29-29,” and in 2008 a documentary with the same title was created.

“I was part of a very unique experience,” Varney said. ”Both

teams were undefeated, … and it wound up in a tie. If it hadn’t wound up in a tie, I don’t know if people would remember it as much as if one team had really beat one team or another.”

Varney has roots in college football, but most of the Brandeis community knows him as the head coach of the baseball team.

After finishing his college football career, he played professional baseball. Varney reached the majors in 1973, where he batted .247 and clubbed five home runs in 69 games over the course of four seasons, primarily with the Chicago White Sox. Varney has coached at Brandeis for 29 years and has reached the postseason in 20 of those seasons.

Varney’s true passions are in coaching, and he said he loves watching the men he has coached grow up.

“When I get together with the alumni, we have a golf tournament,” he explained. “Seeing the kids come back and seeing the camaraderie they have with each other—that’s important to me.

It’s important to me that they’ve done very well in their lives and with their families and the occupations that they’ve chosen. “ “Whatever they’re doing, they’re doing it well, and that kind of sparks a little bit of pride in me; that the kids have gone through Brandeis and gotten their education and have gone on and been successful in life, in their family [lives] and professional careers,” Varney added.

Looking back at his legacy with the Harvard football team, Varney considers himself fortunate to have been just one of many great players in such an historic game.

“A lot of people have come to me for over 40-some years about the game and I feel [bad] sometimes … because I think I was a small part of that game,” he said.

“A lot of people did a lot of great things in that game. … It was a great thrill, obviously, but to think I’m a celebrity? No, I don’t think that at all. They still charge me a buck 99 for coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts.”

BENFEING/WikiMedia Commons

TIE GAME: The Harvard scoreboard famously reads 29-29 with no time left.

DAVID SHEPPARD-BRICK/Justice File Photo

ON THE JOB: Varney is in his 29th season as the baseball coach at Brandeis.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HARVARD CRIMSON

IVY LEAGUE MATH: Harvard’s student newspaper, the Harvard Crimson, declared this iconic headline the next day after the Crimson stormed back from a 16-point deficit to tie the Yale Bulldogs on the final play.

13

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THE JUSTICE

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Casey Ducinski ’13

6 15 2 12 24

offensive categories that catcher Chris Ferro ’13 leads on the baseball team. Ferro has a teamhigh 22 hits this season.

Nelson Figueroa ’98 has been chosen as the fifth starter in the Houston Astros pitching rotation.

The Astros announced Monday that the 36-year-old right-hander, who started 10 games for Houston last season, will complete the rotation behind Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez, J.A. Happ and Bud Norris.

After being claimed on waivers from Philadelphia on July 21, Figueroa was 5-4 in 18 appearances with Houston last season. He is 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA in four spring starts.

Figueroa’s spot in the rotation was sealed when 20-year-old Jordan Lyles was among seven players sent to whose minor league camp Monday.

The other players sent down were pitchers Casey Fien, Fernando Rodriguez, Patrick Urckfitz and Sergio Escalona and outfielders Drew Locke and T.J. Steele.

Butler stuns top-seeded Pitt in wild March Madness Tournament game

JOSHUA LINTON/the Justice

just need a more positive attitude.”

Ducinski says that her transition to the mound has also changed her role on the team. “When I’m on the mound and a teammate makes an effort and they [get] down on themselves, I try to pick them

up and keep composure,” she said. “I say, ‘Hey, don’t worry about it, I got you.’ All we can do is move forward, and we have try and step forward and execute.” ­—Max Goldstein

UAA STANDINGS Baseball

Softball

UAA Conference Overall

W L W L Pct. Emory 5 1 14 8 .636 Case 4 2 13 6 .684 WashU 3 3 10 10 .500 JUDGES 2 4 8 7 .533 Rochester 1 5 4 6 .400 Chicago 0 0 0 0 .000

UAA Conference

W L Emory 8 0 WashU 6 2 Rochester 3 5 JUDGES 3 5 Chicago 0 0 Case 0 8

Not including Monday’s games

Not including Monday’s games Overall W L T Pct. 24 0 0 1.000 14 5 1 .725 5 5 0 .500 5 10 0 .333 0 0 0 .000 4 14 0 .222

TEAM LEADERS days until pitcher Nelson Figueroa ’98 makes his season debut with the Houston Astros on April 6. Figueroa was guaranteed a spot on the roster yesterday as the team’s fifth starter.

no-hitters thrown by Brandeis softball pitchers this season after Casey Ducinski ’13 nohit Emerson College last Sunday. Melissa Nolan ’14 threw a no-hitter against Case Western Reserve University on March 13.

hits for the baseball team during its 6-5 win over Bridgewater State University last Thursday.

straight wins for University Athletic Association rival Emory University to start the season. The Eagles’ softball team defeated the Judges twice earlier this season, outscoring Brandeis 22-2.

15

Nelson Figueroa ’98 named the fifth starter for the Houston Astros

her first career no-hitter during the team’s 8-0 win over Emerson College last weekend, moving her record to 2-2 on the season.

Judging numbers

TUESDAY, March 22, 2011

AP Brief

■ The sophomore pitcher threw

Since 2007, no Brandeis softball pitchers has thrown a single no-hitter. After last weekend’s action, two pitchers have now tossed no-hitters in as many weeks.

Casey Ducinski ’13 became the latest Brandeis pitcher to toss a no-hitter, leading the Judges to an 8-0 win over Emerson College last Sunday.

“It was funny, the first game we lost, then we came back and blew by them in the first inning. I didn’t even know I had thrown a no-hitter until my sister texted me later,” said Ducinski.

Ducinski is now 2-2 on the year in her first season in the rotation. She is also second on the team with a 5.42 ERA and leads the team in win-loss percentage and is second in wins.

Ducinski and Melissa Nolan ’14, who threw a no-hitter 2 weeks ago, are both in their first year in the rotation, and both have had strong starts to their collegiate careers so far this season. Ducinski credited her off-season work for her early success.

“I worked really hard over the summer, and when I came back, coach [Jessica Johnson] told me I had improved,” Ducinski explained. “My team was a lot more confident in me, and my coach as well.”

Despite the strong play of Nolan and Ducinski, the softball team has struggled so far and is only 5-10. However, Ducinski believes that the team will turn it around.

“We just need to have confidence in each other,” she said. “We know we can do it, and we need to come together as a team and cheer for each other. We really

●

Baseball (batting average)

Softball (batting average)

Chris Ferro ’13 leads the team with a .400 batting average this season.

Marianne Specker ’12 leads the team with a .382 batting average.

Player AVG Chris Ferro .400 Tony Deshler .351 Eric Rosenberg .302 Dom Schwartz .300 Kenny Destremps .294 Zach Malis .292 Andrew Cohen .278

Player PPG Marianne Specker .382 Danielle Lavallee .326 Samantha Gajewski .317 Brittany Grimm .315 Megan DeNubila .238 Courtney Kelley .211 Maxie Hirschler .200

Baseball (earned run average)

Softball (runs)

Colin Markel ’14 leads the team with a 2.70 ERA this season.

Carly Schmand ’11 leads the team with nine runs scored this season.

Player ERA Colin Markel 2.70 Pat Nicholson 2.93 John McGrath 3.52 Brian Ing 3.60 Stefan Weiss 4.15

Player Runs Carly Schmand 9 Brittany Grimm 8 Danielle Lavallee 7 Leah McWilliams 7 Lauren Porcaro 7

UPCOMING GAME TO WATCH NCAA Fencing Championships in Ohio Julian Cardillo ’14 and Alex Powell ’12 will compete at NCAAs this weekend.

Foil Julian Cardillo ’14 and épée Alex Powell ’12 were selected to compete in the 2011 NCAA National Collegiate Fencing Championships this Thursday through Sunday. The meet will be held at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

Cardillo qualified for the tourna-

ment after placing seventh at the NCAA Northeast regional championships. The rookie was 45-17 overall this season and received Northeast Fencing Conference Fencer of the Year honors.

Powell went 30-20 during the regular season, and his 12th-place finish at regionals earned him an at-large berth.

The players in the Butler University locker room celebrated their latest stunning upset in the NCAA tournament by screaming, exchanging high fives and hugging each other.

Across the arena, Pittsburgh forward Nasir Robinson sat in front of his locker with his shoulders slumped. His voice was barely audible.

“I take the blame, man. I take the blame for the loss,” Robinson said, referring to the pivotal play in Butler’s 71-70 victory over the top-seeded Panthers on Saturday night.

Butler forward Matt Howard made one free throw with 0.8 seconds left to cap a wild final sequence that enabled No. 8 seed Butler (25-9) to advance to the round of 16 and deal Pittsburgh its latest painful exit from the NCAAs. Each team had a chance to win it from the foul line in the last 2 seconds. After Butler’s Shelvin Mack inexplicably fouled Pittsburgh guard Gilbert Brown near midcourt with 1.4 seconds left, Brown made the first try to tie it.

He missed the second, and Howard was fouled by Robinson while grabbing the rebound—a foul even more unnecessary than the one that preceded it.

“I’ve been playing basketball my whole life, and I know I shouldn’t have done that. It was a stupid play,” Robinson said. “It wasn’t the ref’s fault. It was my fault.”

Robinson tried to answer another question but got choked up and just shook his head side to side before putting a towel over his head.

When Howard grabbed the rebound of Brown’s miss, it appeared the game was headed into overtime because the Bulldogs were out of timeouts. Then Robinson stuck his arm into the fray.

“I was really surprised,” Howard said. “I felt his arm come across mine, so I just threw the ball to the rim.”

Howard made the first shot, then intentionally banged the second attempt off the rim.

And soon after that, Butler was rejoicing at midcourt.

Mack scored 30 for the Bulldogs (25-9), who used a string of upsets to reach the championship game last year. Butler has won 11 straight overall and is 7-1 in its last eight NCAA tournament games.

The 30 points were 2 points short of Mack’s career high and a Butler tournament record. He went 10 for 16, including 7 of 12 from 3-point range.

Unlike Robinson, he got to laugh about a foul that never should have happened.

“It was the dumbest mistake of my life,” he acknowledged.

The Bulldogs will next face Wisconsin in the Southeast regional semifinals. No matter what happens, it will almost certainly be tame compared to what Butler went through in Washington.

“You win two games by 3 points, it’s going to be pretty crazy,” Howard said.

In their tournament opener, the Bulldogs used a tip-in by Howard to beat Old Dominion at the buzzer. Then came this one, in which Butler blew a 12-point lead and had to rally from a 5-point deficit over the final 10:37.

“We’re not better than Old Dominion. We’re not better than Pittsburgh,” Butler coach Brad Stevens said. “We just had the ball last.”

Pittsburgh (28-6) was seeking to reach the round of 16 for the sixth time in 10 years. Instead, the Panthers became just another victim of Butler magic.

Pitt has made the NCAA tournament in 10-straight seasons but has never gotten past the round of eight. The team loses four seniors, including Brown, center Gary McGhee and guard Brad Wanamaker.

“Anytime we’ve lost in the tournament, there’s been no good losses,” coach Jamie Dixon said. “We’ve just got to keep working harder and keep having great years and keep putting ourselves in a position that we’re in.”

Brown finished with 24 points, but he will forever remember the missed free throw.

“Everything could have been avoided if I [made] a free throw and Nasir doesn’t foul,” he said.

Robinson will probably never remember he scored 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting. He blamed himself for the loss, but his teammates did not.

“It’s not [like] he did it intentionally or anything,” Brown said. “He’s a hard worker. He’s a hustler. He was just trying to make a play out there, trying to help the team win.”

The outcome might not have come down to that if the Panthers didn’t have a shot-clock violation with 10 seconds left. That was one of their 12 turnovers, compared to six by Butler.

Pittsburgh trailed 41-32 before Brown drilled a 3-pointer, Wanamaker made a layup and Robinson sank two straight layups to tie it with 15:24 left.

After a timeout, Wanamaker hit a jumper to cap the 11-0 run and give the Panthers their first lead since 4-2.

Soon after that, Pittsburgh reeled off 7 straight points to go up 53-48.

To no one’s surprise, Butler wouldn’t go away.

If Mack was nervous about playing the Big East regularseason champions, it wasn’t evident by his demeanor during the Star Spangled Banner; he yawned.

Once the game started, however, the junior guard played with intensity and poise. Mack scored 16 points in the first half, sinking four 3-pointers, and the Bulldogs committed only two turnovers in taking a 38-30 lead at the break.

just

Sports

Page 16

2-POINT CONVERSION

Baseball coach Pete Varney caught the tying 2 points during the infamous 1968 Harvard-Yale game, p. 15.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Waltham, Mass.

Softball

Squad struggles despite Ducinski no-no ■ The softball team lost

three close games before closing out the week with a no-hitter in an 8-0 win.

By jacob lurie JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

The softball team played two doubleheaders last weekend, struggling through the first three games before Casey Ducinski ’13 pitched a no-hitter to carry the team to an 8-0 win in its weekend finale. The Judges are now 5-10 on the season.

Last Sunday, the Judges played a doubleheader at Emerson College.

In the second game, Brandeis found its rhythm and racked up enough runs for the mercy rule to come into effect, and the game ended after just five innings with Brandeis winning 8-0.

Ducinski’s no-hitter led the team.

She struck out four Emerson batters and walked three, facing just two batters over the minimum.

As Ducinski shut down Emerson, the Brandeis bats began to wake up for the first time all weekend.

Brandeis’ first six hitters got on base, and all six of them scored as part of a six-run first inning. Third baseman Danielle Lavellee ’11 had an RBI fielder’s choice, and first baseman Courtney Kelley ’11 drove home a second run on a single.

Catcher Megan DeNubila ’12 delivered the knockout punch, blowing the game open with a grand slam. It was the first home run of DeNubila’s career and the fourth by a Brandeis batter this season.

Brandeis scored two more runs in the fifth inning on a single by shortstop Brittany Grimm ’12.

“I think we had a much better second game,” Lavallee said. “It took us a little while to warm up in the first game. We mercied them the second game. DeNubila had a grand slam in the first inning of the second game, which really set the momentum for our team, and Casey [Ducinski] just kept Emerson off balance the rest of the way.”

In the first game against Emerson, the Judges got off to a slow start and ended up dropping the game 5-3.

The game was tied 1-1 until the fifth inning, when Emerson scored four runs.

Brandeis was able to score two more runs in the sixth inning to

JOSHUA LINTON/the Justice

SWINGING FOR CONTACT: Outfielder Brittany Grimm ’12 swings through a pitch during the team’s 2-1 loss to Clark last Saturday. narrow the gap, but the team was unable to complete the comeback.

“We didn’t start the first game off strong offensively. … We didn’t get a lot of hits progressively,” said catcher Leah McWilliams ’14. “The pitching [in the second game was great]. Everyone hit their spots. The pitchers have been doing great this whole season—we’ve just been lacking offensively.”

Last Saturday, the softball team lost two one-run games against Clark University, losing by scores of 2-1 and 5-4.

“The games against Clark were both one-run games,” Lavallee said.

“We were disappointed that they could have gone either way, and [against Emerson] we tried to come out and do a much better job and make sure our offense, defense and

pitching … went out strong.”

In the second game, Brandeis jumped out to an early lead but was unable to hold on. DeNubila singled to lead off the third inning, and a bunt by centerfielder Lauren Porcaro ’12 was botched, giving Brandeis runners on the corners. Grimm hit an RBI single that put Brandeis on the scoreboard, and pitcher Melissa Nolan ’14 plated two more Judges

later in the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Brandeis was able to load the bases but could not capitalize and left three stranded. Clark claimed the lead in the next half-inning.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Brandeis scored its fourth run off of a solo blast from Porcaro to bring the team within one, but the girls could not make a comeback. It was the first home run of the season for Porcaro Nolan threw a complete game and racked up nine strikeouts in the first game against Clark. Nolan allowed only three hits, but she took the loss to fall 3-3 on the season as Brandeis lost 2-1.

The Judges had several opportunities to score early but was unable to take advantage of them. Grimm hit a single, stole second and was able to advance to third on a bunt.

However, she was tagged out on a hard-hit ball to third base, ultimately preventing her from scoring.

In the fifth inning, Brandeis finally got on the scoreboard. Nolan led off the inning with a single and advanced to second after McWilliams reached on an error. Pitcher Caroline Miller ’12 pinch ran for Nolan, and both Miller and McWilliams were able to move up on a double steal. Grimm hit a grounder to second base, which brought Miller in for the Judges’ first—and only—run of the game.

In the seventh inning, Clark was finally able to get to Nolan. The lead batter, sophomore shortstop Meg Melkonian, hit a single that bounced away from Grimm. Cougars freshman first baseman Tatiana Chunis then launched a homer to right field, putting Clark up by a score of 2-1.

Brandeis was able to get on base in the bottom of the seventh inning when Porcaro walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Nolan, but the team was unable to score again.

McWilliams admitted that the team was off to a slow start, but said that it was headed in the right direction.

“I think we’re good,” she said.

“It’s a slow progression right now, but once we get all the kinks out, …

I think we’ll be a great team.”

The softball team’s next action is at home tomorrow with a doubleheader against Rhode Island College beginning at 3 p.m.

baseball

Judges hold on to defeat the Bridgewater Bears ■ The baseball team jumped

out to a 6-0 lead against the Bridgewater State Bears before holding on to win 6-5.

By Adam rabinowitz JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

After being postponed a day due to rain, the baseball team weathered the storm to win a nail-biting 6-5 victory over Bridgewater State University last Friday. The Judges improved to 8-7 on the season after holding on against a frantic comeback by the Bears.

Brandeis designated hitter/pitcher Pat Nicholson ’11 was the standout in the game, going 3-for-5 with a key RBI double and shutting down the Bears over the last 1 1/3 innings to earn his second save of the season. Nicholson said that, though he is used to playing both sides of the

ball, he hasn’t contributed much offensively in the past.

“I’m generally used to hitting and pitching in practices, and did so in the past, but haven’t really done [much] offensively in college,” he said.

Brandeis tacked on three runs in both the third and fourth innings to jump out to a 6-0 lead. In the third, rookie shortstop Dominic Schwartz ’14 led off with a single, and second baseman Sean O’Hare ’12 belted a deep sacrifice fly to drive him home for a 1-0 lead. Third baseman John Chu ’12 was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a single by catcher Chris Ferro ’13. Nicholson then had his biggest hit of the day with a clutch two-run double to extend the lead to 3-0.

The Judges continued their offensive surge in the fourth inning, hitting three doubles to score three more runs. Right fielder Andrew Cohen ’13 began the onslaught with

a double and then stole third on the next pitch. Schwartz hit a double of his own to drive Cohen home, continuing his torrid start to the season. Ever since starting at shortstop against the University of Rochester in the team’s first University Athletic Association game, Schwartz has hit at a .333 clip and driven in five RBIs. O’Hare then hit the third double down the left field line to drive in Schwartz for a 5-0 lead. Chu finished the team’s production with a RBI single, providing Brandeis with all the runs needed to secure the victory.

In total, the top five of the Brandeis order—Deschler, O’Hare, Chu, Ferro and Nicholson—combined for nine hits and five RBIs. However, the Bears did not lie down quietly. After being shut down

by John McGrath ’11 for four innings, Bridgewater State was finally able to rattle him in the fifth inning

with back-to-back homers to cut the lead to 6-3. McGrath would calm down to deliver two more strong innings, but the Bears tagged him for another run in the eighth inning to end his night. McGrath finished the day with seven solid innings of work, giving up four runs on five hits and adding seven strikeouts.

“He is an excellent starter and I’m glad we saw him at the top of his game,” Nicholson said of McGrath.

“He’s an integral part of our pitching staff and crucial to how we do in the future.”

In order to get the next three outs Brandeis had to use three pitchers.

Before Nicholson took over for the final four outs Jesse Link ’13 and Colin Markel ’14 recorded two key strikeouts but in the process surrendered runs on a double and a wild pitch. Michael Swerdloff ’13 came in for just one batter, hitting him with a pitch. Nicholson walked the first batter he faced, bringing in a run

that was credited to Link. With the bases still loaded, Nicholson got the out and was able to shut down the Bears the rest of the way.

“Overall, we played pretty well,” Nicholson said. “[We] especially locked down on defense. Defense wins games; it’s as simple as that.”

Nicholson did still feel that the team has room to improve and must work on not letting their opponents back into the game.

“We almost let this game, and others earlier in the season, get away from us,” he said. “We need to learn to put games away if we want to build upon our success.”

Brandeis opens up a 13-game homestand with three games this week. The team hosts the Wentworth Institute of Technology tomorrow and Salve Regina University on Thursday and conclude play this week with a Sunday doubleheader against the Framingham State University Rams.

just

March 22, 2011

Arts

m u i r o h p u E m u i n a p Tym n i s t r a e h d n a s t a e s fills

p. 19 Photos and Design: Asher Krell/the Justice.

18

TUESDAY, march 22, 2011 ● THE JUSTICE

POP CULTURE

INSIDE ON CAMPUS

19-21

■ ‘RENT’ review

19

The Undergraduate Theater Collective’s performance of the Tony award-winning musical brought together veteran and rookie actors for a night of rock opera.

■ Titus Andronicus concert

19

The critically acclaimed indie-rock band performed songs from its two albums at Cholmondeley’s Friday night.

■ Vocal students’ opera

20

■ SKINS fashion show

21

The University Chorus and voice students showed off their ranges in staged scenes from classic operas.

Dressed in the latest Asian-American designers’ clothing and accessories, students strutted down the runway last Saturday.

OFF CAMPUS

22-23

■ ‘Agrippina’ opera review

22

Boston Lyric Opera’s latest show, ‘Agrippina,’ is a funny, entertaining and musicfilled production.

■ Bowling for Soup CD review 22 The guys that brought us “1985” are back with their 11th album—and it’s great!

■ Chateau restaurant review

23

JustArts found this gem of an Italian restaurant located just down the road off of Moody Street that is worth the walk.

CALENDAR

Interview

K-Nite promises a great show

by Shelly Shore

It’s no secret that celebrities’ bodies are under constant scrutiny. If tabloid covers aren’t gasping over a star’s weight gain, they’re blasting a thin figure for being too skinny.

This week, Us Magazine posted a picture of a frighteningly skinny LeAnn Rimes out for a shopping date with fiancé Eddie Cibrian. Us contrasted the picture with a photo of LeAnn from less than a year ago, in which she looked distinctly healthier. By “healthier,” I mean, “wow, I can’t count her ribs in that picture!”

As someone who’s never going to fit into a Vogue sample size, I’m no stranger to being shamed for a less-than-perfect body type. But while I wasn’t among those who took to the blogosphere to criticize LeAnn’s new skeletal physique, I was surprised to see how quickly the comments on Rimes’ new look turned into more personal digs at Rimes herself.

“Looks like the ‘I’m scared my fiancé is going to cheat on me like he cheated on his wife with me’ diet,” one online commenter said.

When Rimes took to Twitter to describe her breakfast that morning—“poached eggs, whole wheat toast, and Italian ham w/fresh berries”—a herd of commenters on celebrity gossip blog OhNoTheyDidn’t posted a series of comments along the vein of, “that’s the food she looked at and then threw away.”

Judging someone’s personal life by their bodies—and their bodies by their personal life—is nothing new, especially for celebrities.

But looking at some of the comments on Rimes’ pictures, I have to wonder: have eating disorders become the new “safe” thing to make fun of someone for?

Don’t get me wrong; I know the Internet isn’t a fun, cuddly place. But it seems like even ONTD has the occasional post where

 JustArts recently spoke with KSA e-board members Dong Hyun Lee ’12 and Sujin Han ’13 about their upcoming K-Nite event.

SUZANNA STERN/K M Press Group

TOO THIN: An eating disorder might be to blame for the sudden change in singer LeAnn Rimes’ weight.

those scary-skinny celebrities get messages of “get help!” instead of “lol, bulimia.” We’d never say that to a peer, so why is it okay to make light of what might be a serious problem, just because someone is a public figure?

Shouldn’t that be even less okay, since more people will see those comments and incorporate them into their own thinking about disordered behavior?

I’m not saying Rimes has an eating disorder. For all I know, she’s just burning plenty of calories at the gym and making up for them with her balanced breakfast.

But if something is wrong, we should be preaching safety—not poking fun.

What’s happening in Arts on and off campus

ON-CAMPUS EVENTS BC3 bubble tea night

Brandeis Chinese Cultural Connection is having a free bubble tea event where attendees can enjoy the delicious and popular Asian tapioca pearls and meet the newest candidates for BC3’s executive board.

Tonight at 7 p.m. in the Intercultural Center.

Music career panel and networking night

Representatives from music-related industries, including some Brandeis alumni, will be presenting on their jobs and answering questions from students.

Professionals in arts administration, composition, education and performance will be in attendance.

Tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the South Campus Commons.

Relay for Life

Brandeis University’s annual Relay for Life is finally here. The American Cancer Society’s event brings together those whose lives have been affected by cancer to show support on campus.

The night will include a lot of fun activities, thanks to this year’s carnival theme, and it is sure to be an extremely moving experience for all who participate.

Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center.

SEAC APAHM celebration

The Southeast Asia Club is hosting the Gia Dinh Phat Tu Nhu Thanh lion dance team from Worcester’s Pho Hien Buddhist Temple’s youth association to perform the popular lion dance. Free food will be served.

Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium.

K-Nite 2011

With this year’s theme, “Korea 101,” Brandeis Korean Student Association promises in itsFacebook event that K-Nite 2011 will be “the best class offered this year.”

The night offers Korean cultural performances, food, a raffle and a chance to donate to earthquake and tsunami relief through the Red Cross.

Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Levin Ballroom.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door.

30th anniversary concert

The Lydian String Quartet, featuring Profs.

Judith Eissenberg (MUS), Daniel Stepner (MUS), Mary Ruth Ray (MUS) and Joshua Gordon (MUS), with guest cellist Rhonda Rider, will be playing in honor of the 30th anniversary Gala celebration. A reception will follow the concert.

Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Slosberg Recital Hall. Tickets are $5 for students, $10 for Brandeis community and $20 for the general public.

Cultural Food Gala

The Anthropology Club presents a night of

AMY BISAILLON/Justice File Photo

KOREAN CULTURE: Last year’s K-Nite featured a group of fan dancers who performed an incredible number. This year’s event, with the theme “Korea 101,” is sure to offer just as much talent and fun. food from around the world, in cooperation with the Russian Club, the Brandeis Zionist Alliance, Students for Environmental Action, the Yiddish Club, the African Dance Club and the South Asian Students Association. The event is being funded by the Brandeis Pluralism Alliance and will feature presentations, dances and facts to accompany the delicious food.

Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Intercultural Center.

APAHM closing ceremony

The end of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month will be celebrated with a performance by spoken word artist Giles Li and the band, Tim.be.told, as well as a free dinner.

Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Sherman Function Hall.

Student art exhibition

Titled, “Seeing the Future,” this show features graduate student work in painting, sculpture, drawing and printmaking.

Opening reception Wednesday, March 30 at 5 p.m. in the Dreitzer gallery in the Spingold Theater Center. Free and open to the general public.

Rose Art Museum inaugural tour

In honor of University President Frederick Lawrence, there will be a tour of the two most recent exhibits at the Rose Art Museum.

“Waterways” focuses on the aesthetics of water, and “Regarding Panting” looks at the act of creation using paint and canvas.

The Inauguration-day tour will be Thursday, March 31 at 10:30 a.m. in the Rose Art Museum. Free and open to the general public, but RSVP is required for the tour (limit of 40 people).

OFF-CAMPUS EVENTS Waltham Food and Wine Festival

Guests will be able to sample Waltham’s most popular restaurants, as well as view exhibits and listen to music while they eat.

There will be cooking demonstrations and the proceeds will benefit the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation.

Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Westin Waltham Boston Hotel, 170 Third Ave., Waltham. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door.

‘Hair, the Musical’

The Tony Award-winning show about young Americans struggling for peace and tranquility is coming to the Colonial Theater.

Featuring popular songs like “Aquarius”and “Let the Sun Shine In,” the show is fun for audience members.

Now through April 10. Showtimes and ticket prices vary. Boston Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St., Boston.

Boston Ballet presents “Elo Experience”

A collection of original works by renowned choreography Jorma Elo, “Elo Experience” uses energy and baroque music to trace the choreographer’s journey over the last decade.

Wednesday through April 3 at the Boston Ballet, 19 Clarendon St., Boston. Showtimes and ticket prices vary.

College Fashionista campus tour Boston

Juicy Couture has teamed up with College Fashionista, a website that shows the latest styles on college campuses across the country, to sponsor a night of discounted shopping in Boston with the guidance of fashion gurus from our own campus.

Thursday at Juicy Couture, 12 Newbury St., Boston.

K-Nite is the Korean Student Association’s largest event of the year, featuring music, cultural performances, games, raffles, fundraising, and free food. KSA President Dong Hyun Lee ’12 and Vice President Sujin Han ’12 spoke with justArts about getting the show together.

JustArts: K-Nite is this Saturday. What’s the one thing that you’re most excited about and why?

Sujin Han: The quality of the performances is better than ever this year. The act participants have been working very hard to perfect their dances, singing, instrument playing, acting, etc. and I cannot emphasize enough how much effort is put into this Saturday’s show. I am most excited about the audience’s reaction and the precious rewarding moment when the curtains go up, which called me back to working for K-Nite this year again.

Dong Hyun Lee: I am most excited about the fact that Brandeis community will have a chance to eat Korean food after our culture show. While other East Asian food is well-known, such as Chinese and Japanese, I believe that Korean food is not. I am really excited about this fabulous opportunity to introduce Korean food as well as well-prepared acts within our upcoming show.

JA: What have you guys been doing the past few weeks in preparation for the show?

DL: In a broad sense, half of our executive board members focused on administrative aspects of planning the show and the other half focused on preparing each act. We actually started preparing this show from last semester. For the past few weeks, more than 50 participants of each act practiced every weekend and to tell you the truth, I cannot explain how hard we prepared until now. So I would like to tell everyone to come to our show and check out what we have been doing for the past few weeks!

SH: For KSA e-board members and participants of the acts, the K-Nite preparation has taken our entire past few weeks. Endless practices and rehearsals have filled our weekends, not to mention all the administrative work in order to carry out one of the best culture shows on campus. The past 2 weeks have been focused on publicizing the show, for which we posted flyers, a huge banner on the Rabb steps, made a teaser video on Facebook, sold K-Nite sweatshirts, etc.

JA: Can you speak a little about the performances you have lined up for K-Nite?

DL: I hope people come to the show without any previews. However, I assure [you] that it will be a great experience and enjoyable time for all.

SH: As much as I don’t want to spoil the show, I’d like to say that this year’s K-Nite has been focused on the theme “Korea 101” and has been choreographed in a way that people can be actively engaged with the performers on the stage.

Although I firmly believe that every moment will be a highlight of the show, just to list a few: Korean traditional drumming, modern dances and a unique fashion show will arouse curiosity and amaze the audience.

JA: What kinds of activities should students be looking forward to?

SH: Students and anyone who is coming to the show should look forward to our grand raffles winners. We are also raising money for Japan’s tsunami/earthquake relief with many other student clubs and organizations. Students should get excited for our free Korean dinner after the show, for it is simply the best and words cannot describe.

DL: Audiences should be looking forward to our great raffle prizes such as an iPod touch, Fuji instant camera and two gift cards. You all can be the winner! Plus, I assure that people would encounter things that could never be found on textbooks or encyclopedias. Our modern dances and traditional music team and more would be shown. Oh, and the great food as well!

JA: Finally, what does K-Nite mean for you?

DL: K-Nite is an opportunity to me. It is an opportunity to introduce Korea to our community since not many of us know much about Korea.

Moreover, I also believe that it is a great opportunity for myself and our e-board members along with act participants to gain more experience. I am confident that our members would not only gain a lot from preparing and planning this show, but also from actually delivering the show.

SH: When those lights go off and the curtain goes up, K-Nite is more than just an event we organize. Countless rehearsals and meetings will flash before our eyes and we cannot thank enough everyone who has worked all along with us to carry out the show. It is the biggest chance we have as a student culture club to share our unique culture and tremendous talent. K-Nite is a way of conveying to the greater Boston area Korean community that Brandeis KSA members are not forgetting our heritage and background even in our busy college lives. K-Nite is a promise to our older and younger generations we will continue to embrace and celebrate our culture.

—Wei-Huan Chen

THE JUSTICE

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TUESDAY, march 22, 2011

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ON CAMPUS

‘RENT’ showcases students’ beautiful singing ■ Last weekend’s impressive

performances featured Tymp favorites and talented newer voices in the musical ‘RENT.’ By sujin shin JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

Call me behind the times, but Thursday evenings’s performance of RENT

by Tympanium Euphorium was the first time I’d ever seen the PulitzerPrize winning musical in person. The show opened to a sold-out Carl J. Shapiro Theater filled with a bustling audience.

I had heard the story, had listened to the buzz surrounding it and was ready for my first experience with the phenomenon that is RENT. Fortunately, the Tymp did not disappoint, providing powerhouse performances and poignant songs that managed to impress me even though I had seen both the 2005 film version and the 2008 live-onBroadway version (was I becoming a RENThead?).

The set was constructed with industrial dilapidation in mind. It was highly reminiscent of the Broadway set, complete with stairs that crossed across the stage and rusting rails around the perimeter of the lofted area. Director Andrew Litwin ’11 spoke to justArts about how challenging the show was to put on. “RENT is huge. It’s everywhere. … Balancing trying to make the show our own with what people are used to seeing from RENT was a little difficult. The set from RENT is pretty iconic. … Trying to balance how much of my vision I wanted to shine through versus how … true to the show [we should be] was difficult.”

The cast was an eclectic one, made up of both UTC veterans as well as newcomers to the theater. The refreshing talent that the new actors brought to the stage stirred an electricity within the theater that I’d never felt before. Never had I heard a Brandeis ensemble so in tune or comfortable with each another. One could see that this was not just an on-stage cast—it was a family.

“This is the best show that I’ve ever worked on. We have an unbelievable cast. RENT is a show where [people that have done lots of UTC shows and people that have never done one

ROBYN SPECTOR/the Justice

NO DAY BUT TODAY: Cross-dressing Angel (Jason Dick ’14) and his lover Collins (Robert Orzalli ’11) discuss their outlook on life with Mark (Harrison Bannett ’11) in ‘RENT.’ before] can really contribute,” said Kelsey Strouse ’13, the show’s stage manager.

Ultimately, all of the actors were bound together emotionally by the powerful and universal themes that RENT encompasses: Discovering oneself, overcoming difficulties and finding love. The cast embraced these themes with sympathy and delivered riveting performances. Harrison Bannett ’11 was fantastic as Mark, and fellow cast member Jason Dick ’14

memorably played the iconic character of Angel. The whole cast was exceptional, though there was one voice that blew me away—Stephanie Johnson ’13 performs the solo that everyone listens for during the most iconic song of the show. “Seasons of Love” is RENT’s most memorable song, and Johnson gave an electrifying and soulful vamp that made my hair stand on end.

Though the voices were wonderful, it was often difficult to hear them.

The orchestra would overpower them

many times and more often than not, in the melee of fast-paced music and quick-spoken lines, the words were lost and the meaning was impossible to take in.

Also, some of the staging felt awkward and uncomfortable. For example, when Mimi (Ellyn Getz ’13) is being cradled by Roger (Dotan Horowitz ’12) at the end of the second act during an emotional moment, the pair was staged in a tight, cramped corner with a small, circular table as part of the

setting. The sadness of this scene is supposed to be overwhelming, but the UTC actors’ faces were blocked by the railing, the lighting was brash and the visual of them being forced into a corner was clumsy.

A few issues aside, the UTC’s RENT is one of the most entertaining productions of theater I’ve seen this year.

Jonathan Larson’s captivating book and music is one that speaks to all on many different levels and the talented cast truly delivered.

music

Chum’s rocks out to Titus Andronicus’ fantastic concert ■ WBRS brought indie-rock

band Titus Andronicus to play at Cholmondeley’s on Friday night to an excited crowd.

By ariel kay JUSTICE editorial assistant

New Jersey is not a state admired by many outsiders. They say that our people are loud, and our drivers are terrible. This past Friday, however, Jersey-based band Titus Andronicus showed Brandeis what the Garden State is also famous for: we know how to rock.

Titus Andronicus’ music is a blend of indie rock, punk and shoegaze. They sound like the loud angry offspring of Neutral Milk Hotel and the Raconteurs. The band formed in 2005, the year after singer and guitarist Patrick Stickles graduated from Glen Rock High School, my alma mater. Their first studio album, The Airing of Grievances, was released in 2008 under Troubleman Unlimited. The band then signed with XL Recordings, who released their second studio album, The Monitor, in 2010.

The Montreal-based band Among Your Many Friends opened the Cholmondeley’s show Friday night around 9 p.m. They provided a good start to the show, but singer Tim Beeler was ill and didn’t perform at his best as a result. It was the second band to perform, Old Abram Brown, that really captivated the audience.

Old Abram Brown’s dark, fast songs were anchored by singer Carson Lund’s penetrating vocals. After their short set was done, members of

NATHANIEL FREEDMAN/the Justice

JERSEY PRIDE: Frontman Patrick Stickles performs songs from Titus’ albums. the audience screamed for the band to continue, but it was time for the main act to take the stage.

Chum’s was packed by the time Titus Andronicus began to play.

Fans pressed together, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a tight mob.

Once the music began, the front of the audience started slam dancing, passionately bouncing off one another as they screamed the lyrics

along with Stickles. As the concert continued, the crowd grew more raucous. Fans crowd surfed, danced on stools and hung off pipes. They weren’t angry, however, as one may expect at a punk show. Rather, they were acutely happy to be listening to one of the coolest new bands to emerge in the past few years.

Titus Andronicus started off strong with their song “No Future

Part Three: Escape from No Future” from The Monitor early in their set.

The crowd sang along to the chorus, repeating the line “You will always be a loser” again and again. Despite the lyrical content of “No Future Part Three,” and many of Titus’ other songs, their overall tone is more jubilant than furious. Fans relate to the words, but it was the music on Friday that kept them dancing.

Drummer Eric Harm provided fast thumping beats and the crowd could feel Julian Veronesi’s bass through the floor and in the air.

Titus Andronicus has received much critical acclaim since the release of The Airing of Grievances.

Rolling Stone Magazine named the group one of the top seven new bands of 2010 and Entertainment Weekly gave their first album an “A” grade.

Many reviewers note the band’s influences, including Bruce Springsteen and Bright Eyes—the second of which Titus will be playing several shows with in April. Titus Andronicus certainly has roots in ’80s punk and ’90s grunge, and they are a mix between a modern feel and an oldstyle work ethic, promoting their music and blogging on the Web as well as asking to sleep on fans’ floors after their shows.

Their most recent music video, for “No Future Part Three” features fans grooving out to the song. Stickles asked fans to come to the shoot on the band’s blog. As guitarist and violinist Amy Klein explained, “communicating directly with our fans takes away the boundary between the band and the audience.

People can stop feeling like the person onstage is unapproachable.”

Veronesi added, “at our shows we try to talk to people if they want to come up and talk to us. We want to know the people who are listening to our music.” Stickles commented on the negative side of this personal relationship with fans: “If you want to get on the level with your brothers and sisters in the rock ’n’ roll community, you’ve got to be ready to accept the people who think you suck.”

Another less-common musical influence on The Monitor is the American Civil War. Harm explained that the concept was Stickles’ idea. The singer watched Ken Burns’ PBS documentary entitled The Civil War and believes that “the conflicts of that era have a lot in common with the conflicts of the modern era.” The cover art of the album is a blackand-white photograph of Civil War soldiers, and the title is taken from a famous naval battleship of the time.

In addition, there are also several spoken-word clips mixed in with the songs on the album, including a reenactment of an Abraham Lincoln speech. “It’s like textual support. It’s support for our argument,” Stickles said. “It’s the wisdom of the ages that we’re perverting for our own selfish purposes. ... It’s all about creating a mood, creating a context. And it’s kind of cool, because it’s like what Wu-Tang [Clan] did, adding kung-fu dialogue into their work.”

Titus Andronicus is continuing their tour across the country on their way to Coachella music festival and back through the end of April. If you can catch one of their shows, I highly recommend it.

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TUESDAY, march 22, 2011

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THE JUSTICE

fine arts

SING IT STRONG

WSRC to hold genderinspired art show

■ The Women’s Studies Research Center’s newest art exhibition is looking for submissions from students.

By mara sassoon JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

ASHER KRELLthe Justice

From May 28 to Sept. 23, the Women’s Studies Research Center will host a new art exhibition featuring student work titled “Floors and Ceilings.”

WSRC is currently calling for submissions from undergraduate, postbaccalaureate and graduate students of any major or discipline. According to the prospectus, artists must “create work that considers floors and ceilings through the lens of gender.”

While many of us might automatically think of the concept of the “glass ceiling”—the invisible barrier that prevents women from advancing in the workplace—the WSRC arts program suggests some other thoughtprovoking themes and ideas to consider. These ideas range from the more concrete concept of the physical floors and ceilings that make up buildings and spaces like homes to the more abstract idea that floors and ceilings could “represent price controls in economics” and that one could consider the “impact of those controls on women, families and workers.” The theme of floors and ceilings allows for a broad range of interpretations.

The exhibition will be shown in the Kniznick Gallery, located in the WSRC. The Kniznick Gallery was established in 2001 and many feminist exhibitions have been shown there in past years. Most recently showcased was the exhibition called “Insatiable: Our Rapacious Appetite for More,” which explored the subjects of excess and gluttony through the lens of women and gender. “Insatiable” featured the works of 42 different artists.

The jury that will select work for the upcoming “Floors and Ceilings” exhibition is comprised of Michele L’Heureux, the curator for the Kniznick Gallery and WRSC staff member; Nera Lerner ’12, the assistant curator for the exhibition; Prof.

Alfredo Gisholt (FA); Ingrid Schorr, Program Administrator of Office of the Arts; Fran Forman ’67, an artist and WSRC scholar; and the Rose Art Museum Director of Operations, Roy Dawes.

Artists can electronically submit up to three original works along with a short written statement of no more than 100 words that describes the pieces by April 29. The pieces need to have been completed within the last three years to be considered for the exhibition. Complete entry guidelines are available on the WSRC arts program website at go.brandeis.edu/ wsrc/arts.

ASHER KRELL/the Justice

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA: Ethan Goldberg ’12 sings to his character’s fiancée in ‘Cosi fan Tutte.’ Ilana Pomerantz ’13 stood out as one of the ladies in ‘Die Zauberflote.’

Sweet songs grace the stage ■ The University Chorus and

voice students performed staged scenes from various operas on Sunday night.

By elly kalfus JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

The Music Department kicked off the semester with a night of opera selections on March 20, providing upscale entertainment to the Brandeis community at no cost. The show involved scenes from four operas: Mozart and Ponte’s Cosi fan Tutte; Mozart and Shikanaeder’s Die Zauberflote, also known as The Magic Flute; Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel; and Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors. The settings of the pieces spanned from the year 0 to the present day. As Robert McFadyen (GRAD), who served as the narrator for the night, promised, the operas truly did the job of “transporting” us through space and time.

The first opera, Cosi fan Tutte, told the story of two sisters and their fiancés. The sisters, played by Sujin Shin ’13 and Larisa Klebe ’11, sang beautifully, their voices in harmony. The fiancés, played by Ethan Goldberg ’12 and Yakov Israel ’12, entered next, each singing an aria to his lady love.

Goldberg’s deep bass provided a great contrast to Israel’s sweet tenor. With comic relief from Fiona Lockyer ’13,

who played the sisters’ maid and support from Matthew Cohen ’12, their friend, the show opened on a high note.

The second opera, Die Zauberflote, told a somewhat more familiar story, made even more comprehensible by McFadyen’s concise and entertaining synopses delivered before each opera.

Ben Gold ’13 starred as Tamino, an Egyptian prince who falls in love with a girl after glimpsing her portrait.

This scene started out differently from the others. Gold ran onstage from behind the audience as he was chased by a serpent. The serpent’s vivid blue costume brought both humor and excitement to the stage, as did many of the costumes throughout the night, constructed by Robin Farnsley and Roxanne Becker. The Queen of the Night’s three “ladies in attendance” kill the serpent and then stop to admire the fallen Tamino. Ilana Pomerantz ’13 shone as the most outgoing of the ladies, matching her vocal talents with her acting ability and, despite the language barrier, since the opera was performed in Italian, her gestures communicated the meaning of the song. The Queen of the Night, played by special guest artist Farnsley, garnered the most attention, both for her singing and acting and for her dress. Farnsley, who was attired in black velvet, dazzling earrings, a necklace and a crown, dominated the stage as she sang about her imprisoned daughter, who is the very girl

with whom Tamino has fallen in love.

The selection ended with a lovely duet between Papageno, played by Bradley Mahlof ’11, and Pamina, played by Ariella Stein ’13.

After a short intermission, the show resumed—but this time in English. The second act had a faster pace and was more upbeat. First up was Hansel and Gretel, which was arguably the best part of the show because the actors put the most emotion into it, not just singing their hearts out, but acting them out too. Hansel, (Pomerantz) and Gretel (Jessica Petrino ’13), looked the part of peasant children from the countryside in their 18th-century outfits, telling another version of the fairy tale with which most of us are familiar. After Hansel and Gretel are lost in the woods and stumble upon a beautifully constructed house made of candy, they encounter the witch who lives there, suberbly played by Matthew Shear ’11. Shear, with purple hair, a witch’s hat and outrageous, drawn-on eyebrows, made the piece hysterical, especially when dancing in a circle on a broomstick. The three featured singers of this opera did a fantastic job, giving a dark piece a sense of humor and joviality.

Amahl and the Night Visitors, the last opera presented, was very funny as well. This opera was the most contemporary of the four, holding the distinction of being the first opera composed for television in the United

States. This opera had more poignant one-liners and punch lines, such as when Kaspar, (Jared Field ’11) sings to Amahl (Amelia Lavranchuk) ’12 about his box of wonders, which contains necklaces and licorice—cures for any ailment. The three kings, played by Field, Mahlof and Cohen, worked beautifully together, livening up the scene and adding humor, especially when they stood in height order. Amahl and his mother, played

by Alia Goldfarb ’13, shone as well in their acting and singing, and the company was joined in the end by the entire ensemble of shepherds, composed of members of the University Chorus and Choir, the a cappella group Proscenium and professional singers.

The night was a huge success, in large part due to the comedy, richness of the operatic selections and the singers’ enthusiasm. Directed by Pamela Wolfe, a vocal instructor at the University, the show had a great flow to it, and the splitting up of the two acts definitely enhanced the production. In addition, enormous credit must be given to piano accompanist Sarah Wheeler, who played flawlessly throughout and made the music come alive. With an audience of students, staff and community members, the Music Department demonstrated that anyone can enjoy opera.

Editor’s note: Fiona Lockyer ’13 is a News editor for the Justice and Sujin Shin ’13 is an Arts staff writer for the Justice.

Do you enjoy attending plays, concerts and movies?

If so, review them for the Arts section of

Justice!

the

Contact Wei-Huan Chen at arts@thejustice.org for more information.

THE JUSTICE

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TUESDAY, march 22, 2011

Student models show their

JENNY CHENG/the Justice

The annual fashion show featured Asian-American designers

By LEANNe ORTBALS JUSTICE contributing WRITER

Like most college students, my tight budget doesn’t allow me to frequent designer boutiques or stay current on the latest fashions.

However, the SKINS Fashion Show on Friday night, sponsored by the Brandeis Asian American Student Association, not only gave me the chance to brush up on contemporary trends but also introduced me to some sought-after Asian-American designers.

After viewing the show, I feel ready to welcome spring with a fresh take on what’s fun and flirty for the warm weather. Though not every piece knocked my socks off, as a whole, the looks on the runway showcased real talent.

The first collection to grace the runway came from Kim’s Fashion Design, a successful, customclothing boutique that grew out of a humble store. The models looked stunning in the feminine lines created by the fluid fabrics of Kim’s designs. I was impressed by the lightness of the clothing, and the delicate construction and effortless silhouettes. The second look—a white ruffled and fitted peasant top paired with slim, tan pants—caught my eye. In fact, this design was my favorite of the entire night. The cinched waist and long hemline of the top were both elegant details, and the tan pants added a chic flare to the ensemble.

Though I enjoyed Kim’s Fashion Design in general, not all of her pieces lived up to my favorite.

For instance, the third ensemble, a shapeless, drab green dress, did not compare with the others.

Though the model did an excellent job working the runway, the dress did not strike me in the same way as Kim’s others. However, the chic, black fabrics used in Kim’s final three looks redeemed the green dress.

JENNY CHENG/the Justice

JENNY CHENG/the Justice

MERRY POPPIN’: Hip-hop dance crew Kaos Kids opened the second act of the show with a stunning performance.

While Kim’s Fashion Design showed off fabric in a flowing, feminine fashion, the next designer, Aey Hotarwaisaya, played with fabrics in a different manner.

Hotarwaisaya used both fabric and unique construction to create edgy looks for the runway. The glittery fabric of the first dress emphasized the model’s movements as it glistened in the light. The dress made a “look at me” statement.

While mixing fabrics played a part in all of Hotarwaisaya’s looks, the lack of material, in my opinion, also played an equally important role. The second and third pieces made statements with a high slit up the front of the model’s thigh and a bare midriff, respectively.

The pieces screamed sexy and

the rest of the collection—short, tailored black dresses—followed suit. Though I wouldn’t wear such revealing clothing, the bold textures and innovative shapes in Hotarwaisaya’s designs drew me in. Hotorwaisaya, in attendance at SKINS, should be proud of the collection.

I felt inspired by the first two designers of the night but the third, F.O.B. Clothing, let me down.

F.O.B. claims to “provide the most stylish and innovative brand of clothing to complement, enhance, and accent an urban lifestyle.” As I read the mission statement in the program, I expected to be wowed by a trend-setting company, but as look after look pranced down the runway, I grew uninterested with

the same old jeans and T-shirt combination.

Different-colored tops offered the only variation between each look. F.O.B. did not present innovative clothing as promised, but instead showcased commonplace cotton T-shirts without trendsetting potential.

After F.O.B.’s collection, Shin Choi’s designs brought life back to the show. Shin Choi, an accomplished designer in the highprofile fashion world, presented a stunning collection. Her garments showcased perfect tailoring, layering and creasing the fabic to create practical and sophisticated ensembles. The models looked bold and ready to take on the world. The looks personified power through the use of solid colors and strong

DAVIDA JUDELSON/the Justice

JENNY CHENG/the Justice

DAVIDA JUDELSON/the Justice

silhouettes. In a nutshell, the pieces looked like sportswear for the office. Shin Choi captured the essence of practicality and high fashion at the same time; it was fierce.

The final designer of the evening, Bensoni, presented three show-stopping pieces to wrap up the night. Model Amy Melser ’12 picked Bensoni’s first piece as her favorite, writing in an e-mail interview with justArts, “It’s one of those dresses that could go from season to season—paired with tights in the winter or out to dinner bare-legged in the spring.” As soon as that piece hit the runway, the bold purple print, ultra-short hemline and sheer fabric caught my attention. The only other looks of the night that could rival the boldness of the dress also belonged to Bensoni. The second look— a short and fitted high-waisted, nude skirt with a creamy, silk blouse—showed off the richness of the fabric. The third look—a hot red dress—showed Bensoni’s use of color and harmony between the designer’s chic, edgy and beautiful pieces.

With Bensoni’s collection, the fashion portion of the show finished with a bang. To wrap up the evening, SKINS coordinator and director Nancy Nguyen ’13 graciously thanked all the contributors of the show. She received a well-deserved bouquet for putting together a great program and for hosting the evening. Nguyen specified the missions of the night as “a fashion show to show another side of Asian-Americans” and also as fashion for a great cause. Four out of the five designers were hits, and all proceeds from the evening go to the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center and the Japan Relief Project. I’d say Nguyen achieved both goals.

Editor’s note: Amy Melser ’12 is an Arts staff writer for the Justice.

DAVIDA JUDELSON/the Justice

BRANDEIS’ NEXT TOP MODEL: (From left to right) Michelle Miller ’11, Anastasia Novozhilova ’11, Grace Noh ’11, Philips Loh ’11 and Julia Reich ’14 strike fierce poses on the runway in the Levin Ballroom.

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TUESDAY, march 22, 2011

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THE JUSTICE

OFF CAMPUS opera

Queen ‘Agrippina’ commands laughter ■ Boston Lyric Opera’s modernized take on ‘Agrippina’ left audiences in hysterics in its run at the Shubert Theatre last week.

By sujin shin JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

When people think of George Frederic Handel, the triumphant chords of his “Messiah” are part of the usual soundtrack that accompanies such thoughts. But Handel also has a couple operas under his belt.

Agrippina is his most-loved opera, in particular because of its clever libretto.

The Boston Lyric Opera performed the antics of the villainous queen and her crazy thirst for power at the Shubert Theatre last week with much humor and enthusiasm.

Agrippina tells of one queen’s attempt to overthrow the emperor and place her own son on the throne.

The title’s namesake, Agrippina (Caroline Worra), is the beautiful but manipulative empress of the Roman Empire who waits at the palace while her husband, Claudio (Christian Van Horn), is away at sea.

The opera begins with Agrippina reading news from abroad: Claudio is dead. She and her son, Nerone (David Trudgen), plot to win the hearts of the citizens and crown Nerone emperor, though he is Agrippina’s son from a previous marriage and not eligible for the throne at all. But just as Nerone is about to be crowned, more news comes from abroad: Claudio is not dead.

He has been saved by a man named Ottone (Anthony Roth Costanzo), whom Claudio has named his successor. After a sly conversation with Ottone, Claudio reveals to her that he would give up the throne in order to be with Poppea (Kathleen Kim). This causes Agrippina to set her plans in motion. A whirlwind of deceit, infidelity, lies, humor and a power trip that could be considered madness ensues.

The BLO’s production of this tale of deceit is lifted from the New York City Opera’s recent reworking of the classic story. The sets were simple but striking, and the stage was minimalistic; most of the props and the background flats were white.

Despite the modern staging and

JEFFREY DUNNE/Boston Lyric Opera

SURPRISE, SURPRISE: Emperor-to-be Nerone (David Trudgen) knocks Poppea (Kathleen Kim) out of bed, startling her, during Boston Lyric Opera’s production of ‘Agrippina.’ the costuming of the characters— reminiscent of the high society of the ’40s—there were still hints of the past era presented in the costumes of the show’s supernumeraries.

In contrast to the generally minimalistic visuals was Handel’s florid and quintessentially baroque music. Played with supertight control and accuracy by the BLO Orchestra, the music instruments from the baroque era, such as the harpsichord and theorbo, a long-necked string instrument.

The vocals were equally precise.

The singers mastered the long- and fast-paced runs and trills so quintessentially Handel with practiced ease. But the most memorable performer of the night was not one of the singers who flew through the scales; Costanzo is a gem who can both act and sing.

Ottone is the only true and stalwart character in the slew of cheaters and liars. A hopeless Romeo, his aria of grief is the most moving moment of a show that, at its heart, is

darkly farcical and humorous. Also, Costanzo is of a rare breed of male singer—the elusive countertenor.

His beautiful and gentle voice floats up the registers and brings out the ethereal in Handel’s score.

Agrippina is very funny and relatable in this new revival and has moments of great beauty. But I suggest Agrippina for the hardier of opera-goers and perhaps the truest of Handel lovers.

Three acts is a marathon for any type of performance, and Handel’s

typical style is to highlight the accuracy and vocal ability of the singer, not to move the story along. The scenes are punctuated by hilarity, followed by a lengthy aria, hilarity, aria, etc. Though the BLO strikes the balance between humor and beauty well, making the most out of the funniest scenes as well as the extensive musical oratorios, it is not for the weak of constitution.

Agrippina is playing at the Shubert Theatre in Boston. The show will close tonight.

music

Bowling for Soup’s new album is quite the catch ■ ‘Fishin’ for Woos,’ due out

April 26, incorporates the band’s signature comedic lyrics and head-bobbing style.

By emily salloway JUSTICE editorial assistant

The word “nostalgia” is typically used to define that feeling of yearning we all have had for some part of our past. For most of us, it has been for an idealized and mostly unrealistic rendering of that past. But one pop-punk band back in 2004 played upon this emotion in a unique and ultimately effective way. Bowling for Soup was able to create a sense of nostalgia for a part of history that the millions of middle and high school kids who became their audience had never actually experienced themselves—the year 1985.

“1985” became Bowling for Soup’s greatest hit in the United States, reaching number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year. The four-man ensemble had us cheering for other musicians whose careers had peaked in the decade before some of us were even born as well as denouncing the changes that had come in our lifetimes. It wasn’t like we knew anything different about MTV, U2 or Van Halen, but with lyrics like “When did

Mötley Crüe become classic rock? And when did Ozzy [Osbourne] become an actor?”, we more than willingly supported the cause. These shifts in popular culture had taken place before our time, yet we all in some way related to Debbie, the mother in the song, who was “preoccupied with 19, 19, 1985.”

This is a truly amazing feat.

Or maybe it was just because the song’s tune was so darn catchy.

Either way, the magic of Bowling For Soup has returned with the band’s 11th album, titled Fishin’ for Woos, to be released on April 26. The album, developed independently after the band split from Jive Records, has the same quality of sound that makes you want to bounce up and down and mouth the lyrics, which is similar to A Hangover You Don’t Deserve, the album that featured “1985.”

The song that stands out the most on Fishin’ for Woos is “Guard My Heart,” which shows a softer side of the band and of lead singer Jaret Reddick’s voice. Originally written for a film in the late ’90s by bassist Erik Chandler and leaked online, the song makes its full-production release on this album. The lyrics illustrate a situation in which a lover feels misunderstood by his partner and therefore must put up walls between them in order to protect himself from getting hurt. Although the song speaks of heartbreak, it does not have downcast

music accompanying it. It is slower than the other songs on the album, but it still demonstrates the band’s ability to take a story about an awful predicament and make it bearable.

Several songs on the album have the quintessential Bowling for Soup humor woven into their lyrics. This includes the track “Here’s Your Freakin’ Song,” which quips, “I promised you forever, but we both know we’re never gonna get along. You want it, you got it, here’s your freakin’ song.”

Songs like this one simply scream out to be made into a music video, complete with wacky characters and eccentric outfits, reminiscent of the beloved “1985” music video. The track includes occasional in-character commentary from Reddick, during which he cracks jokes about a girlfriend whose personal habits get on his nerves.

Bowling for Soup is currently promoting its first single on the album, “S-S-S-Saturday.” Coincidentally, the song follows the same format as Rebecca Black’s recent YouTube sensation, “Friday”; both songs glorify the fun of the weekend and talk about what a drag the weekday routine is.

Unfortunately for 13-year-old Black and her lack of talent, she only has a few more days of fame left before Bowling for Soup’s real weekend wonder takes over and gets stuck in all of our heads.

ALBUM COVER PROVIDED BY AMAZON.COM

“YOU WANT IT, YOU GOT IT”: The crowd-pleasing foursome from Texas, which rose to prominence in 2004, will win you over again in its latest album, ‘Fishin’ for Woos.’

THE JUSTICE

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TUESDAY, march 22, 2011

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FOOD

Chateau offers local Italian delicacies

■ Just a few minutes from the University, the eatery is a staple for Waltham diners craving Italian cuisine.

By mara sassoon JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

Let’s face it. The mass quantity of overcooked pasta and vat of watery tomato sauce that are dinnertime staples at Sherman Dining Hall just do not satisfy a craving for delicious Italian food. What does satisfy this craving, however, is the Chateau’s extensive selection of traditional Italian dishes, ranging from chicken parmigiana, lasagna and gnocchi to pizzas and calzones. Located not too far from popular establishments on Moody Street (it’s just a 15-minute walk from Lizzy’s Ice Cream), the Chateau’s original Waltham location opened in 1933. The restaurant’s building is very spacious, with multiple rooms on multiple floors.

I went to the Chateau with four friends for a relatively early dinner.

We arrived around 5:30 p.m., only to find that there was already a wait to be seated. The place was packed with families dining in a cheerful and homey atmosphere. Thankfully, we did not have to wait long to be seated—only about 5 minutes. However, now that I have seen how busy the restaurant gets, I think I will make a reservation the next time I go.

Right after we were seated, the waitress came over and brought a big basket of crusty bread to the table. Although the bread was good, I advise that you do not fill up on it and instead save room for your main dish since the portions at the Chateau—like the building the restaurant occupies—are very large.

I ordered the eggplant parmigiana, a dish that I normally order when I go to an Italian restaurant. I wanted to see how this eggplant parmigiana compared to others I have tried in the past, and I was not at all disappointed when it was served.

The eggplant cutlets were lightly coated in a nicely seasoned breading. I have had eggplant parmigiana in the past with breading that was too thick and greasy and that overpowered the actual eggplant, but the eggplant-to-breading ratio at the Chateau was just right. It was generously topped with melted mozzarella and a wonderful tomato sauce. The sauce, which had a slight sweetness to it, brought out other flavors of the dish.

As for my friends, one ordered the chicken roma—chicken cooked in a wine and butter sauce with tomatoes and onions that was topped with breadcrumbs and cheese. She praised the dish so loudly that she caused a diner at the next table to ask what she was eating and proceeded to order the same dish.

Another friend ordered fettuccine alfredo and said that it was among

ASHER KRELL/the Justice

WALTHAM HISTORY: The Chateau’s original Waltham location on opened in 1933, but now the restaurant also has branches in Norwood, Stoughton and Andover, Mass.

ASHER KRELL/the Justice

ASHER KRELL/the Justice

GOOD EATS: The Chateau’s building is very spacious; it even has multiple rooms.

BON APPETIT: The atmosphere is welcoming as soon as you step through the door.

the best that she has had.

My other friends ordered “Italian trio” dishes, which are made up of smaller portions of three popular dishes on the menu. One trio consisted of chicken parmigiana, fettuccine alfredo and lasagna. The other

graduated from Bentley University 30 years ago, who told me that one of her favorite restaurants when she was in college was the Chateau and recommended that I try it. I informed her that I had already been there and intend to go back.

replaced the chicken parmigiana with eggplant parmigiana. Nobody at the table had a negative word to say about the food, and we all agreed that we would like to come back to the Chateau for another great meal.

I recently met someone who

The next time this craving for great Italian food comes to me, I will be sure to make my way to the Chateau.

Located on 195 School St., Waltham. Contact: (781) 894-3339 www.chateaurestaurant.com

FOOD

Extreme Beer Festival provides original flavors and ideas Douglas

MOORE Innermost brew

On March 11 and 12, BeerAdvocate. com welcomed brewers from across the country to its Extreme Beer Fest in Boston. As defined by the website, an extreme beer is “a beer that pushes the boundaries of brewing through creativity and innovation.” Beers for this festival offer different ingredients and techniques than the typical ones.

Because of the goals of this event, it is no surprise that the Dogfish Head Brewery sponsors this annual event.

According to its website, Dogfish Head is known for its “off-centered ales [made] for off-centered people.”

They make beers infused with fruit and spices and use ancient brewing techniques. The event was divided

into 2 days with two different lineups of beers. Friday night was the exclusive Night of the Barrels featuring rare barrel-aged beer.

Saturday brought two regular sessions featuring experimental one-off beers that challenged notions of what typical beer tastes like.

Night of the Barrels offered barrelaged beer. A new American staple, many brewers will age beer in different types of barrels to get different flavors. I have talked about this style before.

Many of the top-rated beers in the country are aged in some form of wooden barrel, and often the barrels have previously been used to age other alcohol. This imparts woody flavors and allows for other alcohol notes to come through.

One highlight of Night of the Barrels was a keg of Samuel Adams Utopias. This highly experimental, extremely rare and very expensive beer delivered a delicious blend of port wine, honey and a bit of bourbon.

Utopias is 29-percent alcohol by volume and one of the highest alco-

hol beers in the world. Sam Adams also brought to the festival the aptly named WTF—the company wouldn’t even give a description of what it was or its alcohol content. The beer was disgusting; it tasted of a mix of pine needles and cough syrup.

Also at Night of the Barrels was the Bruery’s Black Tuesday. This is an insanely rare imperial stout that sports 15-percent alcohol. Despite the hype, the beer was overwhelming with a lot of bourbon and a lot of booze; a decent beer but worse than expected.

The real winner for me was California’s Lost Abbey and its Double Framboise de Amarosa. This beer had a sour raspberry flavor with a very sweet taste that finished tart. The balance of the two was sublime. Lost Abbey Double Red Poppy, a Flemish red ale, was also a nice sour brew.

The Saturday session delivered an interesting challenge to brewers.

BeerAdvocate owners, brothers Todd and Jason Alstrom, asked that all brewers make an “extreme session beer” for the festival.

When most aficionados think of the

term “extreme” in the field of beer, they instantly assume that this must be an alcohol bomb that knocks one out in flavor and amount of booze.

BeerAdvocate wanted to challenge that notion and asked that brewers reinvent their brews with beers that were less than 5 percent in alcohol.

To accomplish this, the brothers got together with the brewers from Dogfish Head and made Fungus Tea’Mungus, a 4.1-percent beer brewed with both yeast and Kombucha, a fermentable tea. The beer offered a light flavoring of tea, citrus and a bit of a sour pucker from the bacterial Kombucha cultures.

Haverhill Brewery brought sour wheat-smoked ale at 3.2 percent. The wheat crop was smoked over an open fire in a technique similar to the German Rauchbier. It was then fermented with wild yeast and bacteria.

It offered an intense bacon flavor with a bit of sour pucker at the end.

The flavors were very over-the-top, and it was not my favorite beer. However, it was definitely extreme.

One of the most interesting beers

was Sierra Nevada’s Saison de Haricot. This was a lighter beer fermented with cherry Jelly Belly jelly beans.

The idea was fascinating to me, as cherry jelly beans are one of my favorite candies.

Unfortunately, the idea didn’t translate well. The cherry was hardly noticeable, and something simply tasted off about the brew.

The real winner of EBF was Stone, which brought all session beers.

Their Self Conscious ale was a Black Indian Pale Ale, which offered the hop profile of a double Indian Pale Ale but had a 4-percent alcohol content.

The beer was earthy, citrusy and herbal in the finish and tasted delicious. Stone proved that beers with little alcohol could still have big flavor.

EBF is one of the most important events of the American beer calendar.

Some have called it the Super Bowl of beer fests and, in my opinion, the offerings lived up to that designation.

This was a fantastic event at which to try experimental beers, and I highly recommend attending next year.

24

TUESday, march 22, 2011 ● THE JUSTICE

TOP of the

ARTS ON VIEW

TRIVIA TIME 1. What is an older name for the country of Ethiopia?

2. Who founded a company called De Beers Consolidated Mines?

3. For what crimes was Socrates executed?

4. What did Madame Bovary’s husband do for a living?

5. Where are the conjunctiva located in the human body?

6. Which of the original 13 colonies did not attend the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

7. What common alloy is made up entirely of copper and zinc?

8. To which U.S. president is the following quote often attributed: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt”?

9. Who coined the term “muckrakers” for crusading journalists and other writers?

Answers 1. Abyssinia 2. Cecil Rhodes 3. Corrupting the youth and impiety 4. Doctor 5. Eyes 6. Rhode Island 7. Brass 8. Abraham Lincoln 9. Theodore Roosevelt

SHOWTIMES 3/25–3/31 The Fighter Fri-Sun: 1:10, 3:50, 6:40, 9:20 Mon-Thurs: 2:10, 4:50, 7:40 Cedar Rapids Fri-Sun: 1:50, 4:30, 7:20, 9:40 Mon-Thurs: 2:50, 5:10, 8:20 Battle: Los Angeles Fri-Sun: 1:20, 4:00, 6:50, 9:25 Mon-Thurs: 2:20, 5:00, 7:50 Limitless Fri-Sun: 1:40, 4:20, 7:10, 9:35 Mon-Thurs: 2:40, 5:10, 8:10 The King’s Speech Fri-Sun: 1:00, 3:40, 6:30, 9:15 Mon-Thurs: 2:00, 4:50, 7:30 The Adjustment Bureau Fri-Sun: 1:30, 4:10, 7:00, 9:30 Mon-Thurs: 2:30, 5:00, 8:00

The Embassy is located at 18 Pine Street in Waltham

CHARTS Top 10s for the week ending March 21 BOX OFFICE

1. Limitless 2. Rango 3. Battle: Los Angeles 4. The Lincoln Lawyer 5. Paul 6. Red Riding Hood 7. The Adjustment Bureau 8. Mars Needs Moms 9. Beastly 10. Hall Pass

NYT BESTSELLERS

DAVID YUN/the Justice

SKYWALK: Justice photographer David Yun ’14 captured this upright sculpture by Jonathan Borofsky titled “Walk to the Sky,” which examines the use of vertical perspective, at Carnegie Mellon University.

ACROSS 1. Cornfield comment 4. However 7. Nerdy sort 12. Historic period 13. Eventual aves 14. Heart line 15. Benicio — Toro 16. Mentionables?

18. Pismire 19. Fire 20. Bronx cheer 22. Schedule abbr.

23. Bean curd 27. Type measures 29. Handsome lad 31. “Survivor” team 34. Phantom’s bailiwick 35. Fireplace part 37. Modern-day evidence 38. Sicilian spouter 39. Carte intro 41. Region 45. Donkey’s sounds 47. Transmit electronically 48. Flotation device 52. “A pox upon thee!”

53. Go 54. Rule, for short 55. Listener 56. Worked (up) 57. Fuss 58. Banned bug spray DOWN 1. Fragrant wood 2. Sports venue 3. Ballroom favorite 4. Nitwit 5. Palatal pendants 6. Turkic tongue 7. Challenge 8. “Holy mackerel!”

9. Before 10. Seventh letter 11. Tavern 17. Poet Pound 21. Marty, in Madagascar 23. November birthstone 24. Inseparable 25. Evergreen type

CROSSWORD

Fiction 1. The Jungle – Clive Cussler with Jack Du Brul 2. Sing You Home – Jodi Picoult 3. The Wise Man’s Fear – Patrick Rothfuss 4. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest – Stieg Larsson 5. Love You More – Lisa Gardner

Nonfiction 1. The Social Animal – David Brooks 2. Unbroken – Laura Hillenbrand 3. Moonwalking with Einstein – Joshua Foer 4. Townie – Andre Dubus III 5. A Simple Government – Mike Huckabee

iTUNES

1. The Black Eyed Peas – “Just Can’t Get Enough” 2. Katy Perry feat. Kanye West – “E.T.” 3. Glee Cast – “Loser Like Me (Glee Cast Version)” 4. Rihanna – “S&M” 5. Lady GaGa – “Born This Way” 6. Glee Cast –“Get it Right (Glee Cast Version)” 7. Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull – “On the Floor” 8. Ke$ha –“Blow” 9. Selena Gomez & the Scene –“Who Says” 10. Jeremih and 50 Cent – “Down on Me”

BILLBOARD

26. “— Today” 28. Profit 30. Dress in 31. Commonest English word 32. On Soc. Sec. 33. Writer Fleming 36. Rodgers collaborator 37. Convertible sofa 40. First lady after Hillary 42. Slain, gangster style 43. Water nymph 44. Put forth, as strength 45. Raised 46. Lily variety 48. Sort 49. Born 50. Aye opponent 51. Leading lady?

1. Lupe Fiasco – Lasers 2. Adele – 21 3. Glee – Glee: The Music Vo. 5 4. Avril Lavigne – Goodbye Lullabye 5. R.E.M. – Collapse Into Now 6. Sara Evans – Stronger 7. Mumford and Sons – Sigh No More 8. Marsha Ambrosius – Late Nights and Early Mornings 9. Justin Beiber – Never Say Never: The Remixes 10. Various Artists -- Now 37 Album information provided by Billboard Magazine. Box office information provided

by Fandango. iTunes top sellers provided by Apple.com. Bestellers list provided by The New York Times.

Solution to last week’s crossword

King Crossword Copyright 2011 King Features Synd, Inc.

STRANGE BUT TRUE  It was venerable American newscaster David Brinkley who made the following sage observation: “The one function TV news performs very well is that when there is no news, we give it to you with the same emphasis as if there were.”

structure in the United States. Lucy the Elephant, built in 1882 by James V. Lafferty, is 65 feet tall and has served at various times as a cottage, a business office, a restaurant and a tavern. In 1976, it was designated a National Historic Landmark.

According to Guinness World Records, the oldest cat in the world was named Creme Puff and lived to the ripe old age of 38 years and 3 days.

 It was United Airlines that hired the first stewardesses for its flights back in 1930. In addition to being attractive and charming, stewardesses had to be registered nurses.

 If you do a lot of printing, you might not be surprised to learn that if you calculate the cost by volume, the average ink cartridge for a printer costs seven times more than Dom Perignon champagne.  On an average day in the United States, 90 million cans of beer will be consumed.  If you’re planning a summer jaunt to Atlantic City, N.J. this year, you might want to stop by Margate City, just a couple of miles south of the gambling mecca.

While you’re there, you can see the oldest zoomorphic

 Those who study such things say that in ancient Mesopotamia, it was not unusual for those of the wealthy classes to crush semiprecious stones and adhere the powder to their lips.

Thought for the Day: “In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. The last is much the worst.” ­—Oscar Wilde

STAFF PLAYLIST

“Genre-Free”

By MARA SASSOON Justice STAFF WRITER

I don’t have a favorite genre.

Rather, I like a song if the rhythm, beat or lyric of the song resonates with me. Sometimes, I can’t even place the reason that I like a song. Here are the songs that are currently on my playlist.

THE LIST 1. “Never You Mind” – Semisonic 2. “Chocolate” – Snow Patrol 3. “Lucky Man” – The Verve 4. “Maybe” – Ingird Michaelson 5. “Never Know” – Jack Johnson 6. “Make You Crazy” – Brett Dennen feat. Femi Kuti 7. “All You Wanted” – Michelle Branch 8. “Sweet Caroline” – Neil Diamond 9. “Strawberry Swing” – Coldplay 10. “I Feel the Earth Move” – Carole King