The Brandeis Hoot - 4/25/14

Volume 11 Number 13

www.thebrandeishoot.com

Brandeis University’s Community Newspaper • Waltham, Mass.

April 25, 2014

Ferry disaster Staff inspired by tragedy to run marathon hits home

By Dana Trismen Editor

By Emily Belowich Editor

On Wednesday, April 16, a 460-foot-long, five-story ferry in South Korea sunk, leaving more than 280 people, mostly students, missing.

At 60 percent capacity, there were more than 460 people on board, and 325 of the passengers were students from Danwon High School in Ansan, a town about 20 miles south of Seoul.

These were second-year high school students who were on a school trip before cramming for college entrance exams. As of Sunday, April 20, the death toll stood at 58. The ship also carried a full cargo load with 124 cars, 56 trucks and 105 shipping containers.

“It is the most tragic and heartbreaking disaster that has ever occurred in Korea, and the rescue process is not going well,” said Min-Sung (Chris) Hong ’15, social chair of the Brandeis Korean Student Association (BKSA).

As a result of the disaster, BKSA is holding a candlelight ceremony on Tuesday, April 29 at 9 p.m. in front of the Shapiro Campus Center. The students want to show video footage of what happened and why it happened to inform the Brandeis community.

BKSA also wants to film this ceremony and send it to the students at Danwon High School to show support.

“We want to show them that even students in America are supporting them and that the whole world will never forget about their tragic deaths,” said Hong.

Hong, along with many other Korean students, have been deeply affected by this tragedy, as some of the members in BKSA come from towns near the area of where the high school See DISASTER, page 2

Despite high temperatures, high stakes and limited experience with extensive running, Brandeis athletics staff members Breda O’Connor and Matt Callahan finished this year’s Boston Marathon with smiles on their faces.

That’s because Marc Fucarile, Callahan’s cousin and victim of last year’s bombings, was waiting for them at the finish line.

“The highlight … was seeing Marc about 100 yards from the finish line. I can’t imagine what it was like for him

to return to the marathon finish line … I ran over to him and gave him the biggest hug,” said O’Connor, who is Callahan’s girlfriend.

O’Connor works at Brandeis as the assistant swimming and diving coach and aquatics director. Callahan is the club sports coordinator.

It was Marc Fucarile‘s story that inspired O’Connor and Callahan to run a grueling 26.2 miles.

“On April 15, 2013, my cousin Marc Fucarile was standing in front of the Forum Bar and Restaurant with a group of friends from his hometown, Stoneham, MA, when the second bomb went off. Marc lost his right

SSSP reflects on 2014

By Jess Linde Editor

This Thursday, the Brandeis Student Support Services Program (SSSP) held its annual year-end event. Titled “I Am a Narrative of Change,” the event filled the International Lounge in Usdan with students and celebrated the program’s mission, its 2014 graduating class and plans for the future. SSSP, which provides academic counseling and community programs for first-generation students of color from less affluent backgrounds at Brandeis, hosted the event, along with the department of Academic Services and the Brandeis Pluralism Alliance.

The event began with a quick welcome from SSSP Student Leadership Board member Krissy Ford ’15, who thanked the audience for “joining [SSSP] to reflect on how we have been influenced by Brandeis’ message of social justice.” SSSP Director

leg, broke his left leg and ankle, suffered burns all over his body and had shrapnel all throughout his body,” said Callahan. Fucarile was actually the last survivor to leave the hospital following the attacks—he spent 45 days at Mass General Hospital and another 55 days at Spaulding rehab.

“The doctors are still fighting to save his left leg, which has been an ongoing battle,” said O’Connor. “The money he received from the One Fund is locked up in a trust and goes directly to medical bills—the money we raised will assist in that, but also be used for his daily life and to support his family. He is out of work, and

Bernstein begins

See SSSP, page 4

photo by emily stott/the hoot

heart A sculpture was recently installed on the hill next to the Rabb steps, as seen above.

Walia ’15 wins Student Union presidency

By Nathan Benjamin Staff

photo by vinh nguyen/the hoot

sssp Students discuss personal experiences with social justice at “I am a Narrative of Change” on Thursday afternoon.

News: IBS gives Asper Award to Diane Hessan Arts, Etc.: “Hello Kitty” spreads across the web Opinion: Hoot Editor-in-chief says goodbye Sports: Hockey family victorious Editorial: Highlights from 2013-2014

Page 2 Page 8 Page 11 Page 7 Page 10

See MARATHON, page 3

Gerardo Garcia-Rios and Assistant Director Elena Lewis then took the stand to deliver opening remarks.

Garcia-Rios and Lewis affirmed the importance of the program, one that “contributes to social justice all over campus and helps students achieve their dreams.” They too thanked the audience for attending, as the event was an opportunity to reflect and “honor the stories that are narrative agents of change.”

The SSSP Student Leadership Board then introduced themselves and their majors, before handing the reins over to the event’s student keynote speakers, Christina Marcellus ’14 and Tom Phan ’14. Speaking first, Marcellus discussed her lifelong battle with believing in herself. “Every morning you have two choices to make,” Marcellus told the audience. “You can either sleep on your dreams or wake up and chase them.” Marcellus, who is the daughter of low-income, Haitian

Sharing stories

Inside this issue:

(his new bride!) Jen, has had to put her job on hold to take care of Marc and their son, Gavin.”

O’Connor had met Marc before at a family gathering, and heard about the struggles his family was enduring. She did not feel comfortable doing nothing—she felt she had to act. She came up with a campaign called “Miles for Marc.”

“I knew by running we could raise awareness of Marc’s story as well money for his ongoing medical bills.

Running the marathon was also a tangible way to take back the finish line

Musical dialogue

Luikens to lecture on Bernstein musicals. “Lunch with Lenny B” will take place on April 25 from 1-2 pm.

Arts, etc.: Page 9

The Brandeis University Undergraduate Student Union represents the voice of the students and sets out with the intent of improving University life. With the school year coming to a close, the positions for next year’s members became available once more. After weeks of campaigning, on Saturday, April 12, the votes were tallied for the newly elected representatives of the 2014-15 academic year. The winners and positions of this year’s Union Executive Board election are as follows: President: Sneha Walia ’15, Vice President: Sofia Muhlmann ’16, Secretary: Charlotte Franco ’15 and Treasurer: Andrew Miller ’16.

Walia received the majority of the vote over her two other opponents.

An advantage she held in the election

was her previous extensive experience within the Union. She acted as the Class of 2015 Senator in 2011-12 and 2012-13 and performed the position of Secretary in the 2013-14 year.

After having run for various positions in the Union in the past, Walia was familiar with the process. She stated, however, that the experience of “campaigning for President is different … from campaigning for other Union positions I have run for.”

The duties of the position differ from those of her past positions in the Union. As Union President, Walia will hold various responsibilities, the first of which is representing the Brandeis student body in the larger community. To ensure that she is fully prepared to adopt this responsibility and the rest, Walia said, “I definitely recognize that I have a lot to learn See UNION PRESIDENT, page 2

Plastic utensils

Imagine a key ring with a fork, spoon and knife hanging from it...

Ops: Page 16

NEWS

2 The Brandeis Hoot

April 25, 2014

Diane Hessan receives Asper Award from IBS for outstanding entrepreneurship

By Ethan Berceli Staff

The International Business School (IBS) at Brandeis has recognized Diane Hessan for her outstanding entrepreneurship with the Asper Award for Global Entrepreneurship.

Brandeis IBS Dean Magid presented her with the award on Thursday, April 3.

Len Asper ’86 established the Asper Center and the Global Entrepreneurship Award in 2004, bestowed annually to an “entrepreneur who achieves outstanding success in the global marketplace through creative marketing and business strategies.” Input from faculty at IBS and the Dean’s office is combined with research by the IBS Centers and Initiatives to create a list of candidates, also reviewed by Asper, in a thorough process that aims to present the award to the most qualified candidate.

IBS uses the Asper Center for Global Entrepreneurship to provide students with an understanding of tendencies and development of entrepreneurship throughout the world. By offering courses, events, internships, business plan competitions and meetings with global entrepreneurs, the Asper Center seeks to provide IBS students with comprehensive learning experiences to develop their transition into future business leaders.

Award winner Hessan was President and CEO of Communispace, a recently global company that she founded in 1999 before handing over the reins and becoming chairwoman in January of this year. Communispace creates and manages online communities to connect companies to their customers. It has over 250 clients including Kraft, Unilever and Hewlett-Packard. The company manages over 700 private online customer communities that have been most satisfactory in helping marketers generate consumer insights. Communispace’s resume includes riding out the dot-com bust and the more recent recession with double-digit margins and a client retention rate of 90 percent, and additionally, it has recently made the push to become global. Over the last several years, Hessan’s company has been named to the Honomichl Top 50 Market Research Companies, won the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Award for Business Excellence and was named one of Inc. 500’s fastest growing privately held companies.

Hessan, a summa cum laude graduate of Tufts University with an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, has focused her entire career on customers. She co-authored the best-selling book “CustomerCentered Growth: Five Strategies for Building Competitive Advantage” in 1996, and has been recognized many times for her entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation. Hessan won

the 2005 Fortune Small Business Best Boss, won the 2009 Boston Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year Award and was named to the Boston Business Journal’s list of Power 50 Most Influential Bostonians. In addition to her work with Communispace, Hessan has contributed her efforts to many organizations such as The Business Innovation Factory, Horizons for Homeless Children and The Boston Philharmonic.

With her track record, the Centers and Initiatives at IBS said Hessan suitably fit the award’s conditions.

“The Asper Center is interested in celebrating the work and success of ‘serial entrepreneurs’ on a global scale. Diane’s work—from the development of Communispace; her leadership and vision in breaking new ground in the social media/marketing sphere—to the company going global (she recently sold the company) is in keeping with this criteria,” the department said.

As part of the student engagement part of the award, Hessan visited Brandeis to speak with students in Professor Grace Zimmerman’s (BUS, HS) “Branding Strategy” course.

Hessan accepted the award in front of colleagues, faculty and students.

Her acceptance speech was filled with advice for the audience, advice that had been given to her and had been crucial, she felt, to her success. Hessan’s first piece of advice, from her mother, which was particularly well received by the assembled students,

Candelight ceremony planned for South Korean ferry tragedy victims

photo from internet source

is that there is plenty of time.

“At CSpace, we have 300 employees who are in their 20s, and they are so worried about life and whether their careers are moving fast enough. My response: Life is long,” Hessan said.

Talking about the ups and downs of her career gave the audience a realistic perspective as well as entertaining them with personal anecdotes she included in her advice stories.

After speaking about serendipity, big dreams and remembering to help other people, Hessan reminded us that even someone with an illustrious career such as herself may find

Walia brings experince to presidency From UNION PRESIDENT, page 1

photo from internet source

From DISASTER, page 1

is located.

“Our members aren’t directly related to the victims of this incident.

But we are all South Koreans, and we are all families with same cultural background. We all feel directly attached to the victims’ families, and it was hard to spend our break going through this,” said Hong.

Hong hopes the Brandeis community can take part in supporting BKSA as well as the victims from the ferry disaster, first by becoming informed, and second by participating in the candlelight ceremony.

The ship was led by Captain Lee Jun-Seok, 69, who placed his own life above his passengers, fleeing the sinking vessel, but has yet to publicly state why he abandoned the ship with the passengers still on board. The New York Times calls it an “apparent violation of maritime protocol, if not the law.” In many countries, the law does not explicitly state that the captain must be the last person to leave a distressed ship, but experts say South

Korea’s law appears to be explicit, allowing authorities to later arrest Lee. According to prosecutors, he was charged with abandoning the boat and its passengers at a time of crisis.

Lee, as well as a 26-year-old woman who was the third mate and another crew member were all cuffed after a judge approved arrest warrants and taken to jail shortly thereafter.

In 1914, after the Titanic disaster, an international maritime treaty was first adopted known as Safety of Life at Sea, making a ship’s captain responsible for the lives of everyone on board and for the vessel’s safety.

Maritime experts say the abandonment was shocking and that it violated “a proud international (and South Korean) tradition of stewardship based at least as much on accepted codes of behavior as by law.”

“That guy’s an embarrassment to anybody who’s ever had command at sea,” said John B. Padgett III, a retired United States Navy rear admiral and former submarine captain, according to The New York Times on April 19.

The ship, named the Sewol, began its overnight journey on Tuesday eve-

ning at 9 p.m., leaving from a pier in Incheon, west of Seoul, heading toward the southern island of Jeju. This ferry plied this 264-mile route twice each week, down the west coast of South Korea.

The Sewol took two and a half hours to sink, but many of the survivors from the ferry disaster say the crew advised passengers to stay inside the ship, likely dooming them, according to The New York Times.

The captain stated he later instructed the passengers on board to evacuate the ship, although it is unclear if this information was conveyed to all passengers.

“Our hope is that the Brandeis community will know what has happened in general, and that so many families in Korea are suffering from losses,” Hong said. “We would appreciate if the Brandeis community can all take part in the candlelight ceremony to show our respect to the victims’ families. Those people lost something that cannot be replaced with money or any kind of wealth, and it truly was one of the biggest tragic accidents that has happened in 2014.”

oneself doubting their own merit.

Her last bit of advice, from the varsity football coach and her 12th grade history teacher at Norristown High School after receiving an award she felt she did not deserve, was to just enjoy the award.

“And so, as I stand up here tonight, there is that small voice in my head saying, really? Of all of the possible global entrepreneurs out there … and then I remember Mr. Petrino.

I am honored to have been chosen, and I plan to enjoy this crystal thing,” Hessan said to conclude her acceptance.

and am trying to reach out to as many current Union members, especially our current President Ricky, to learn from them.”

Some students criticized her campaign claiming that her platform lacked substance and avoided concrete ways to fix problems at Brandeis.

Walia’s leading promise was that her primary focus would be acting as an advocate for the students and making sure that the students would be involved in all campus processes next year. Now elected, Walia’s intentions have not changed and she has outlined more specific ideas. She hopes to “hold forums and create an online comment system so students can directly interact with administrators or have Union reps who meet with [administrators] bring student concerns forward.” Additionally, while Sneha believes that this year’s running of the Union “was done really well,” to advance the Union Editorial Board she hopes to next year “allow E-Board

members to coordinate more on common goals . . . to make sure that tasks are carried out efficiently.”

In recognizing the overarching purpose of the Student Union, Walia has mentioned that her ultimate goal is “making sure that the Student Union lives up to its goal of being an advocate for students and a connection between students and administrators.” While students may feel as though there is a large disconnect between themselves and the goings on of the university, Walia holds that “Brandeis students deserve a direct voice in campus life.” To ensure that this is accomplished, Walia will “create a collaborative culture within the Student Union and in relation to the Student Body so we can work on improving our community together.”

As the Student Union election period comes to a close, Walia is elated to have won and appreciates the support she received through the entire campaign process. Walia and the rest of the received candidates are currently in the process of getting applications for E-Board appointed positions and are excited to meet as a full E-Board.

photo from internet source

April 25, 2014

The Brandeis Hoot

NEWS

3

Rohleder publishes on self-compassion College Notebook Remedial courses pose and reduced stress levels problems for schools

By Shayna Korol Staff

Psychology professor Nicholas Rohleder published a paper in “Brain, Behavior and Immunity” that reports a connection between self-compassion and reduced levels of stress-related inflammation.

Rohleder, the co-director of the Laboratory for Biological Health Psychology or the Health Psychology Laboratory at Brandeis University, conducts research that addresses the question of “how acute and chronic stress is translated into pathophysiological mechanisms at the level of organs and cells.” In short, he evaluates how stress physically affects the human body. In addition to stress, the Health Psychology Laboratory also studies depression, traumatization and anxiety. Studies conducted by the laboratory have both children and adults participate. Rohleder also conducts research on how repeated stress impacts the organs of the body and how it relates to the aging process.

The report, which graduate students Danielle Gianferante, Luke Hanlin and Xuejie Chen and postdoctoral fellows Juliana Breines and Myriam Thoma co-authored, could lead to more efficient ways of managing stress. The American Federation of Aging Research provided the grant that funded the study.

Psychological stress, like injury or disease, can lead to biological reactions which, if unchecked, can lead to Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular illness and cancer. Someone who is more self-compassionate does not hold themselves accountable for circumstances beyond their control and does not dwell for long on grievances—and as the study shows, is healthier for it.

By Charlie Romanow Staff

photo from internet source

To illuminate the relationship between self-compassion and inflammation that results from stress, the researchers had 41 participants rank how self-compassionate they perceive themselves to be. The participants quantified how true certain statements are for them, such as “I try to be understanding and patient toward aspects of my personality I do not like,” and “I’m disapproving and judgmental about my own flaws and inadequacies.” Afterwards, the participants in the study took two stress tests over a two-day period, and the researchers recorded their levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), “an inflammatory agent linked to stress” according to a BrandeisNOW article.

The findings were clear: Subjects more inclined to cut themselves some slack had much lower IL-6 levels. People who reported having low self-compassion had greater IL-6 levels before the test, the implication being that the previous day’s stress was

continuing to affect them.

“The high responses of IL-6 on the first day and the higher baseline levels on the second day suggest that people with low self-compassion are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of this kind of stress,” Rohleder said to BrandeisNOW. “Hopefully, this research can provide more effective ways to cope with stress and reduce disease, not only by relieving negative emotions but by fostering positive ideas of self-compassion.”

Going easier on yourself, it seems, helps to avoid the adverse health effects commonly brought on by stress.

This study illustrates the need for better and more comprehensive approaches to managing stress, which is of the utmost importance when it comes to health. Advocating selfcompassion and a sense of perspective, Rohleder and his team hope that their findings will change the way people approach the world and its challenges for the better.

Brandeis staff run emotional marathon in honor of cousin From MARATHON, page 1

and our city from last year’s bombings. Back in October, I told Matt that I was going to run and we should form a team of family and friends,” O’Connor said.

While O’Connor had always dreamed about running a marathon, Callahan had never really been interested.

“To be honest, I really had no interest in running a marathon until my cousin was injured in last year’s events. I don’t have a running background; I never ran track or crosscountry. I played soccer and lacrosse growing up and eventually played soccer here at Brandeis University,” Callahan said. While O’Connor recalls enjoying running, she had never run more than six miles at a time.

“My family always watches from Mile 21, so I was familiar with the grueling hills of Newton and sense of accomplishment to complete Boston. I ran track in high school and participate in 5Ks on a regular basis, but really don’t have too much ‘true’ running experience,” she said in an interview with The Hoot.

The pair’s previous lack of training was a huge obstacle they had to overcome. “[It was] hard … especially with the winter we had!” said O’Connor.

“We were very fortunate to work closely with our fitness coordinator, Kat Page, as well as our track coach Sinead Evans, who both were very

helpful in setting our training schedule and giving us advice along the way. Training took up a lot of time; whether it was early morning runs or three-hour long runs on the weekend … it was definitely a learning experience,” she said.

For the actual day of the race, April 21, both O’Connor and Callahan had one central word to describe the experience: emotional.

“Race day was one of the most fun experiences of my life, combined with the toughest. There are hundreds of thousands of people screaming your name, ‘Go Miles for Marc,’ and other inspiring things the entire way, all the while you are physically and mentally drained,” said O’Connor.

For Callahan, running the marathon was harder than expected. “I felt great on my longer runs of 15- and 18-plus miles during my last couple weeks of training. But on Monday, the high temperature got to me …

My right hip, groin and calf started to cramp around mile 16. But we finished!” he said.

To date, the Miles for Marc team has raised $20,000. Brandeis students,

faculty and staff contributed funds to the effort and were there to support the pair throughout their journey.

“They have shared Marc’s story on social media and forwarded along our fundraising page to their networks. The Brandeis community also showed up to cheer us on on the day of the marathon. We saw many student athletes and members of the athletics staff scattered throughout the course,” said Callahan.

Many high school graduates are not prepared for college-level work, as shown by the number of remedial courses that students must take to advance their education. According to Thomas Bailey of the Community College Research Center, Teachers College of Columbia University, more than a third of all college students and half of community college students need remedial help.

While many students complete remedial courses, progress through their education and receive a degree, a significant number do not.

The Associated Press reports that a quarter of students who take developmental or remedial classes will graduate, while Forbes reports that 28 percent of community college students across the country who take remedial courses will not earn their associate’s degree within eight and a half years, and 70 percent of community college students take remedial courses. In 2012, Senator Beth Bye of Connecticut stated that only 13 percent of students taking remedial courses graduate.

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 24 percent of students nationwide take a remedial class, down from 30 percent in 2000. In Massachusetts, 60 percent of community college students, 22 percent of those at fouryear state universities and 10 percent of UMass students take at least one remedial class, according to the state Department of Education. 15 percent of those attending not-forprofit four-year colleges nationally take remedial courses.

The correlation between having to take remedial classes and low graduation rates vary by school, state and source, but it has not been argued that remedial courses cost students and the government a great deal of money. Strong American Schools, a project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, estimates that remedial courses cost the nation $2.3 billion per year.

Inner-city schools educate many first-generation college students, part-time and returning students and those whose first language is not English. Only a third of fulltime, first-time students at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) are deemed college-ready in reading and English and only six percent in math. Another example of this trend is the City University of New York (CUNY) community colleges which have 100,000 students enrolled in a given semester. 77.6 percent of New York City public high school graduates entering the schools needed remediation, though this figure is slightly improved from the previous year.

State governments’ emphasis on high school graduation rates may be a factor.

“The remediation rate is way too high because the [former Michael] Bloomberg administration put graduation over proficiency with an epidemic of online credit recovery and other strategies that shortchanged students,” said Brooklyn College education professor David Bloomfield.

Other education officials agree that the widespread necessity of remedial classes begin with the K-12 schools that release their students into college ill-prepared.

Josh Wyner, head of the Aspen Institute’s higher education division stated “students are graduating

with a diploma, sometimes with a B average or better, they immediately go to college and they get tested and they are told, you are reading at a 10th-grade level. Really, the high schools have lied to them in their grades.”

Due to increased time, money and energy, students having to take remedial classes are less likely to graduate than others. CompleteCollege.org reported that students taking remedial courses at four-year schools are 63 percent less likely to earn a degree within six years. In a study that took place between 2007 and 2013, 70.2 percent of California community college students not needing remedial education graduated while 40.5 percent of those needing remedial education graduated.

Within the last decade, the Common Core State Standards Initiative has promoted more standardization in elementary and secondary curricula outcomes with the intent that students will be more universally prepared for college-level work and individuals that need supplemental help can be more easily identified and assisted. The initiative covers English and math, and 46 states have adopted the program. A formal assessment of the relatively new program is expected to take place in the 2014-2015 academic year.

Numerous states and colleges have instituted programs in recent years to promote graduation and minimize utilization of remedial courses. BCCC has combined non-credit developmental classes while adding personal tutorials and online real-time assessment that allow students to work at a pace more comfortable for them. Massachusetts has begun using a student’s high school grade point average instead of standardized tests to determine suitability for remedial classes as well as replacing required algebra classes with statistics-oriented classes for certain majors.

Texas State University is allowing students to take remedial and credit courses in the same subject simultaneously to speed up the learning process. CUNY schools are offering an intense program to rapidly move students out of remedial classes. In a different approach, Florida is allowing high school graduates and active military members to choose whether they want to take otherwise mandatory remedial classes or not.

Connecticut plans on approaching the problem from different areas. They are encouraging high school students to take more college courses by endorsing coordination between high schools and state universities. A bill was approved by the state legislature in 2012 that would get rid of no-credit remedial courses and instead embeds support in entry-level courses. The system has since been postponed after students, parents and educators testified against the act in concern over the effect that the immediate institution of the program would have on the current cohort of students. Once enacted, four levels of community college courses will be offered: transitional, one-semester intensive, college-level with embedded support and college-level. The replacement of remedial courses is meant to advance students more quickly in intensive and interactive courses for those who would otherwise stay in a remedial class for multiple semesters or years.

4 NEWS

The Brandeis Hoot

April 25, 2014

SSSP students share stories and inspiration From SSSP, page 1

immigrants, described how Brandeis was “the first place I found a voice.”

She also talked about how being surrounded by people who had grown up with more socioeconomic opportunities in life affected her.

“I felt like my background and story made me unprepared for college, and I struggled,” Marcellus said.

“But SSSP helped me find my passion in school and made me realize that my hard work got me where I am today.” Marcellus, a double-major in women’s and gender studies and biology, wishes to empower women in the field of science and through medicine. She ended her speech by telling students to remember that “you guys are enough … so incredibly enough,” adding that “doubt kills more dreams than failure ever did.”

Phan then began his talk, describing his middle school years with an air of regret. “I was not a good student,” he said, “I missed over two hundred classes and had a 1.1 GPA in seventh grade.” According to Phan, this

came from his sense of apathy toward school and his economic status in relation to wealthier students. But in high school, Phan discovered Upward Bound, a federal program that assists low-income students (which SSSP is associated with). Phan’s involvement with Upward Bound convinced him to raise his grades and apply to college, something neither he nor his parents had considered a possibility beforehand. Like Marcellus, Phan did not feel adequately prepared for college initially. “I felt isolated … like I was not good enough for college,” he said.

Phan’s Brandeis experience shifted positively when he first joined an improv comedy group on campus.

“Making something from nothing was an amazing experience for me,” Phan said. This creative experimentation made Phan “decide to be the best I could be, for me,” leading to further adventures into media such as poetry and filmmaking. Phan closed by advising students to “always try and make something out of nothing; take risks, because things do change for the better.”

The third part of the evening was an original documentary produced and directed by SSSP student Jennifer Recinos ’14 and coordinated

by Keith Jones ’15 and Yeng Her ’16.

The 15-minute film featured SSSP students, including Recinos and Her, defining social justice to the camera and giving interviews. Students such as Lys Joseph ’14, Afzal Ullah ’14 and Cristal Hernandez ’15, spoke at length in the film about their backgrounds, their experiences as firstgeneration college students and how they found their way at Brandeis. A shared opinion of the interviewees was the desire for more low-income students and students of color to have the same experience as they did.

The final part of the event was an “empowerment activity,” where the rows of seats were divided into smaller groups. A Student Leadership Board member served as head for a discussion on experiences with social justice. Students, who had been given different-colored strips of paper printed with various questions related to social justice, took turns answering the questions on their respective pa-

pers. They later shared answers they found moving with the rest of the audience.

“I Am a Narrative of Change” ended with a round of applause for SSSP’s graduating class of 2014, and the presentation of commemorative plaques to members of the Student Leadership Board. The crowd, all visibly touched by the inspiring event, then dispersed for a dinner of Brazilian food.

photos by vinh nguyen/the hoot

SPORTS

Softball team splits doubleheader with UMass Boston

By Charlie Romanow Staff

The softball team went 2-4 in their last six games, each a part of a doubleheader. Brandeis began a doubleheader at UMass Boston with a tough 8-7 loss on the 18th. The Judges began the game on a high note, with Madison Gagnon ’16 and Cori Coleman ’15 earning walks and Liana Moss ’17 reaching on an error by the centerfielder to load the bases with one out.

Anya Kamber ’15 doubled to left center to bring home two runners. The Judges would extend their lead in the next inning after a Jordan Buscetto ’16 walk and Madison Hunter ’17 and Gagnon reaching on fielder’s choices.

Buscetto would get out at third but Moss hit a three-run home run that hit the left field foul pole to extend the lead to five. The Beacons then attempted to lessen the gap in the bottom of the second as Toni Scola was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch. She scored on a Lauren Mitsiaris single up the middle and after Lyndsey Capra hit a triple to left center, another run was earned.

After a wild pitch, Capra managed to score.

The Judges’ offense continued in the next two innings. Madison Sullivan ’16 began the inning being hit by a pitch. A single by Melissa Nolan ’14 followed by an error advanced Sullivan to home and Nolan to second.

Buscetto entered the bases after being hit with no outs but the next three atbats resulted in outs. Moss began the

fourth with a single before Kamber reached on an error by the shortstop.

Sullivan singled down the right field line, scoring Moss. Down 7-3, three walks and a wild pitch brought home a run for UMass Boston in the fourth.

They would mount their great comeback in the fifth that had them leaving the inning on top. Gia Raczkowski hit a solo homer to left that would have brought in an additional run if Erika Vecchiet was not thrown out trying to steal second. Kelsey Svenson subsequently walked and Scola reached on a bunt single before both advanced on a double steal. Mitsiaris reached on a bunt single, advancing to second on the throw and bringing home both base runners. Tied 7-7, Capra tripled to right center to bring home the

leading run. The Judges would have two innings to tie the game up but could not produce.

Moss went 2-3 with three RBI’s, three runs and a walk. Gagnon had two runs, Nolan had two hits and Kamber had two RBI’s. Nolan falls to 5-2 with five strikeouts and six walks.

Melissa Soleimani ’17 pitched the final inning and a third inning without allowing a hit. Additionally, Michelle Zullo advanced to 5-7 with the win.

She pitched a complete game allowing seven hits and one earned run, walking and striking out five. In the end, the Beacons made four errors.

The evening game of the doubleheader was much easier for the Judges, coming out on top 8-0 in five innings. Sullivan and Nolan were

photo from internet source

each 2-3 with an RBI. Sullivan also scored twice. Nikki Cote ’15 pitched the complete game, allowing only five hits while striking out five for her fourth win.

The team lost a doubleheader at Bowdoin College on April 19 and

split a doubleheader against Clark University on Tuesday. The team will finish the regular season with doubleheaders against Emerson College at home on Saturday and at Babson College on Tuesday. At the moment they are 16-16.

photo from internet source

SPORTS

April 25, 2014

By Dana Trismen

The Brandeis Hoot 5

Hockey team triumphs in championships

Editor

The Brandeis Club Hockey Team rose to victory recently, winning a championship they had coveted since the spring of 2010. This title was somewhat unexpected.

“We never expect to win any of our games. We knew that at our best we could beat any team in the league and had proven that through the season.

We also knew that if we didn’t prepare

to play our best in the championship game, any team could beat us,” said Gene Arciprete ‘14, captain of the team.

But this championship was not only extraordinary; it was also a personal victory for Arciprete. Currently about to graduate, Arciprete has been captain of the team since his sophomore year.

“As my first championship with the Brandeis team, it’s a special one because I was able to win it during my

only year playing with my brother who is currently a first-year,” Arciprete said in an interview with the Hoot this week.

Arciprete has extensive experience with hockey, and has been active in the sport from a young age. “I’ve played hockey ever since I could skate (youth leagues, high school, etc.), and became involved in leadership because I have not only been a captain but also a coach for other teams in the past,” he said.

brandeis club hockey team Front: Oren Saskin, Ben Plesser, Ethan Fougner, Roni Rosen, Dave Benger, Bill

courtesy of gene arciprete

Morris. Back: Janes Parrish, Brian Delgreco, Eric Haavind-Berman, Matt Zuckerman, Spencer Isen, Gene Arciprete, Joseph Arciprete, Danny Reisner, Aaron Fried, John Parcellin, Chloe Newlon.

His brother, Joe Arciprete ’17, also began hockey at the age of five and played varsity hockey at their high school.

“Gene and I were always playing hockey as kids, but because he is three years older than me, we never played on the same team (as age groups only included two years of players). It was fun this year to play actual competitive hockey with Gene, an experience not many people has access to,” Arciprete ’17 said.

The team traditionally participates in the New England Senior Hockey League. Brandeis had not won a championship for four years.

“Our team hasn’t changed much, apart from the players over the years, and has always been open to anyone (students, faculty, alumni, community members, etc.), of any skill level, interested in playing hockey,” Arciprete ‘14 said. The team is part of a general men’s league, and anyone can join, male or female.

Brandeis Allocations Board (formerly F-Board) funds the team, providing for equipment and one tournament fee right before the playoffs began.

“This semester we only had the resources for a weekly practice at the Waltham rink, so this extra ice-time proved pivotal in snapping our losing streak and propelling us into our undefeated playoff run,” Arciprete ‘14 said.

During the championship game, the team’s center Ethan Fougner YEAR scored early on in the first few minutes of the game. At the start

of the second period, the opposing team, Prestige Worldwide, tied the game via a penalty shot. The game remained tied for a tense, elongated period of time. Within the last few minutes of the second period, Brandeis went down 2-1.

“We rallied in the third period and had goals from Matthew Zuckerman YEAR and myself and won 5-3 on the game winning goal by Janes Parrish YEAR,” said Arciprete ‘14.

“Individual skill only takes you so far,” Arciprete ’17 added. “Our entire team effort is a big reason why we were successful.”

The team enjoyed a large turnout for the final game, with many Brandeis fans cheering them on.

Looking forward to the future, Arciprete ’17 expects the team to enter the same league again, and fight to defend their title.

“We have a lot to work out as a team next year as we are losing some big pieces of the team including both senior goalies, as well as Captain Gene...we are also constantly searching for other Brandeis hockey players to come out and join us!” he said.

Last time Brandeis won this championship, Arciprete ‘14 was considering his college choices and wondering if Brandeis was a right fit for him.

Now, he plans to pass off leadership of the Brandeis Club Hockey Team into dependable hands.

“I will attempt to fill his role as captain next year,” Arciprete ’17 said, of living up to his brother’s legacy. “We are looking forward to another successful season.”

Baseball team loses to Roger Williams in extras

By Charlie Romanow Staff

Despite a strong 10-inning performance by Kyle Brenner ’15 on the mound, the baseball team lost to Roger Williams University 3-2 on Thursday, April 17 at home.

The Judges had a 2-0 lead that lasted five innings until the eighth. After striking out the side in the second, Brenner stepped to the plate to deliver the first hit of the game. Cameron Shaw ’15 singled to advance Brenner.

Next at bat, Dominc Schwartz ’14 laid down a sacrifice bunt to forward the two runners into scoring position.

After a strikeout left Brandeis with two outs, Sam Miller ’16 hit a single to first base to bring home Brenner.

Brian Allen ’15 then singled to center field, scoring Shaw. The Judges would have runners on the corners in the fourth but an attempted steal

by Allen ended the inning without a run. Caulin Rogers hit a hard shot to the left field wall to start the sixth but was thrown out at second by Brian

Ing ’14. After having argued the call, Hawks head coach and Brandeis alumnus Derek Carlson ’91 were ejected between the half innings for arguing calls.

Prior to the eighth inning, the Hawks had only two hits, the first not coming until the fifth inning.

Shawn Cariglio singled through the right side in the eighth. The next two batters got out, but Rogers singled to further the offense. Player Jamie Timothy doubled down the right field line to bring home both runners and tie the game. The remaining innings during regulation were uneventful, moving the game into extras. Mike Barry, having entered the game in the eighth to pinch-run reached first on a bunt single to begin the tenth. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and made it to third on a groundout

by Mike Thomas. With two outs and the leading runner on third, the pressure was on Rogers, but a wild pitch brought Barry home for the lead. The Judges would not go down quietly.

Ing tried to tie the game by moving toward home from second base on a single but was thrown out in the attempt. Brenner stepped to the plate with two outs and Greg Heineman ’16 and Ryan Tettemer ’17 on first and second, respectively. After throwing 116 pitches and striking out 10 during a career-long outing, he could not bring home a run.

The third and fourth batters in the lineup, Heineman and Brenner, each had two hits, as did Sam Miller.

Brandeis’ only extra base hit of the day came in the third from Brenner.

The Hawks Rogers led the game going 3 for 4. Brenner‘s moves to a 3-4 record this season despite allowing only seven hits and no walks. He is tied for second in Division III for complete games this year, while leading the conference, recording his sixth full outing. Roger Williams’ had three pitchers on the mound. Tyler Pogmore shifts to 3-0, pitching the final two innings of the game. Starter Sean Boyle allowed two runs on eight

hits, striking out six in seven innings.

The Hawks Carlson was an assistant coach at Brandeis from 1991-1996 after serving as the team captain and earning All-Conference honors three times. In the end, Brandeis outhit Roger Williams 12-7.

The Hawks move to 20-11, while, after an 11-inning win against Curry, the Judges are 13-15. Brandeis faces Salve Regina University on Friday in Rhode Island and travel to Trinity College for a doubleheader on Sunday.

photo from internet source

Tennis teams win on Senior Day

By Charlie Romanow Staff

The 22nd-ranked women’s tennis team defeated Bates College 6-3 on April 18. On their Senior Day, seniors Roberta Bergstein ’14, Allyson Bernstein ’14, Alexa Katz ’14 and Marissa Lazar ’14 were honored before the match.

Brandeis swept the doubles matches. Bernstein and Lazar won 8-1 for the first match. Bergstein and Carley

Cooke ’15 won 8-6 in the first ranked match. In the third place match, Dylan Schlesinger ’15 and Simone Vandroff ’15 faced a 5-4 deficit but rebounded to win 8-6. Bernstein dominated the first singles match of the day, winning 6-0, 6-1. The Bobcats rallied to win the next two matches but Cooke clinched the win for Brandeis in the first spot with a 7-5, 6-0 victory. Vandroff also won 6-2, 7-6 (7-3).

Later in the day Brandeis defeated Simmons College 8-1, once again sweeping doubles matches. Each singles victory was won in straight sets

and the doubles matches were won with scores of 8-2, 8-3, 8-2. Brandeis then lost to the 13th-ranked Massachusetts Institute of Technology 8-1 on Tuesday.

The 30th-ranked men’s tennis team did not fare as well against Bates, losing 5-4 on the 19th. The Bobcats got off to a good start, earning a sweep in doubles matches. Brian Granoff ’17 and Michael Secular ’15 were able to push the second doubles match but lost the tiebreaker 7-0. Jeff Cherkin ’17 won the first singles match of the event in the sixth place, winning 6-3,

6-4. Granoff won the first ranked singles match 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. A three set match in the fifth spot clinched the victory for Bates. The Judges would not throw in the towel though, in two long matches Danny Lubarsky ’16 won 6-2, 3-6, 10-6, and Ryan Bunis ’17 won 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (4-2), 10-4.

The team faced MIT in their Senior Day match on Monday. Graduating seniors Evan Berner ’14 and Adam Brown ’14 were honored prior to the event. The pairs of Granoff and Lubarsky won 8-4, Alec Siegel ’15 and Michael Arguello ’17 won 8-2

and Secular and Cherkin won 8-6.

Granoff won the first placed singles match 6-4, 6-4. The Engineers rallied to win the next three matches in straight sets, trailing 4-3. Bunis clinched the match in the fourth spot after trailing early with sets of 1-6, 6-3, 6-3. Siegel won his match 4-6, 7-5, 3-1 after his opponent retired.

The 10-9 women’s team will take part in the University Athletic Association Championship from Friday to Sunday this week in Florida. The 10-7 men’s team will participate from Thursday to Saturday.

6 The Brandeis Hoot

ARTS, ETC.

April 25, 2014

Luikens to speak on Bernstein’s musicals for Festival of the Creative Arts

By Michelle Kim Staff

Charming, intelligent, well-spoken and easily one of the most popular instructors at Brandeis, Georgia Luikens has taught not only UWS classes ranging in topics from musical theater to adaptation and appropriation of Shakespearian plays, but also undergraduate courses for the music major and minor. A recipient of The University Prize Instructorship, Luikens currently teaches a seminar titled America’s First Maestro: Leonard Bernstein’s Music and Role in New York Cultural Life, which is a mixture of American studies, musicology, politics, history and theater. “I love teaching this seminar. The students are so fantastic and excited about material I’m excited about. It’s a mutual excitement frenzy,” Luikens said.

This Friday, April 25, Luikens will host “Lunchtime with Lenny” as part of the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts. Bernstein, who was at the forefront of music and artistic life in America during the second half of the 20th century, founded the festival in 1952. On campus, Bernstein was one of the first professors here.

Irving Fine, the founder of the music department, basically brought in all his friends who were the biggest names in American music, like Aaron Copeland and Bernstein. Bernstein flew into Boston once a week to teach a seminar on 20th-century music and opera. Bernstein had a large role in spearheading the arts community at Brandeis. The premiere of his chamber opera, ‘Trouble in Tahiti,’ was at

Brandeis. “It was a roaring success and was even later recorded for television at a studio. This is what Brandeis offered at this point in time. It was phenomenal. Without a doubt, it offered the best education you could get in 20th-century American music and 20th-century music in general.”

Luikens will speak about Bernstein and Brandeis, but as a self-proclaimed musical “nerd,” she is interested in Bernstein’s legendary musicals. “His work in social advocacy is, I think, sometimes overlooked. He was a big supporter of causes and championing ideals that perhaps other artists would take a step back from because they were afraid of repercussions,” Luikens said. Bernstein was already being followed by the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, so it really was not a problem for him to keep following what he believed. He did not care if it antagonized the government even more. He supported Panthers 21 in 1970 and even held a soiree in his Upper West Side apartment in New York to which one of the field marshals of the Panthers 21 was invited.

In 1958, during the Cold War, Bernstein took the New York Philharmonic to the Soviet Union as part of a world tour. “U.S.-Soviet relations were obviously quite tense … I think Bernstein saw music and the arts to not only challenge political boundaries, but also to suggest there were no social or cultural boundaries in the first place.”

Other than talking about musicals and Bernstein, Luikens has also prepared a 46-voice choir composed of undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff. “I was initially approached to do this by Ingrid Schorr, the fabulous associate director of the

arts, who asked me to give a talk on Leonard Bernstein. She then asked me to also bring someone to sing or perform a Bernstein song, so I thought, ‘Why have one when you can do something that would appeal to the memory of Bernstein?’ I then collected a community of performers.

We have a lot of ensembles on campus that include people from different parts of the campus, but we don’t have ones that have everyone because of busy scheduling. I just sent some emails around and about 70 people said they were interested.”

Luikens extensively and eagerly planned her event. “I got everyone’s time table and set them all around my

living room. In the end, I found four times that the most people covering soprano, alto, tenor and bass could meet. Unfortunately, that did mean that quite a few people couldn’t do it. I did get 46 singers who are going to sing an arrangement of ‘Make Our Garden Grow’ from Bernstein’s ‘Candide.’”

Despite the challenge of setting up such a large event, Luikens said, “It has been really fun. The only challenge is everyone is so busy. The first time that the entire chorus will sing together will be on Friday. It’s a true community event. We have everyone from all over campus; it is a lovely and enthusiastic group of people.”

“Brandeis has such a rich tradition and legacy of innovative and high quality artistic history,” Luikens said.

We should certainly strive to maintain it and we can develop it. It is often overlooked. The performing and creative arts are very important and play a huge role in liberal arts education.

I think a liberal arts education is imperative, no matter what you study. It not only makes you slightly more interesting at the dinner table and civilized but also helps you get to know the world outside your immediate environment.”

Luikens will be holding “Lunch with Lenny B.” April 25, from 1-2 p.m. in Rapaporte Treasure Hall.

photo from internet source

‘make our garden grow’ some of the Brandeis Festival Chorus singers in rehearsal.

Lavigne gets into complicated situation with ‘racist’ video

By Lisa Petrie Staff

Remember when Avril Lavigne had music that was worth being nominated for a Grammy? Lavigne has come a long way from her “Complicated” days—a long way down. The Canadian singer-songwriter, who is now 29 years old, seems to have pulled a Benjamin Button and has reversed the aging process.

On Tuesday this week, a bizarre new music video hit the Internet and has been making waves ever since.

Lavigne released the music video for her new single, “Hello Kitty,” on the Internet April 22 and has since been accused of being racist toward her Japanese fan base. The song features Lavigne in Tokyo street-style outfits going to stereotypically “Japanese” hangouts, such as a candy store and a sushi bar. Following behind her like a strange cult are four Japanese backup dancers in matching red wigs and suspenders. The song itself mainly consists of Lavigne singing “Hello Kitty” and yelling simple Japanese to a highpaced, pop beat with occasional dubstep sequences.

Lavigne has gotten flack for depicting Japanese culture in a highly stereotypical way, and some people have gone so far as to call her racist. Twitter and Facebook were flooded on Tuesday and Wednesday with viewers making comments about how horrified they were at how racist the video was and how Lavigne’s career has gone downhill from the 2002 release of her first album, “Let Go.” In response to the major criticism of “Hello Kitty,”

the video was taken off of YouTube on Tuesday night and was not re-posted until Thursday afternoon.

Avril Lavigne responded to criticism towards her music video on Facebook, posting a status that reads, “RACIST??? LOLOLOL!!! I love Japanese culture and I spend half of my time in Japan. I flew to Tokyo to shoot this video specifically for my Japanese fans, WITH my Japanese label, Japanese choreographers AND a Japanese director IN Japan.” Lavigne has stood by her video despite the criticism, promoting it on her website even after it was taken down from YouTube.

On top of accusing Lavigne of racism, critics of the video saw something else wrong: It is just plain bad.

The song’s repetitive, simplistic lyrics get stuck in the listener’s head in a torturing way similar to “It’s a Small World.”

The song is a sugar-coated pop mess, Lavigne makes herself look ridiculous by overacting throughout the entire video and the stereotypical representation of Japanese culture is an unfortunate artistic choice. But all of these merely contribute to a disappointingly vapid music video and not a deliberately insensitive, racist message aimed at Japanese culture.

The main failure in this video is Lavigne’s effort to look cutesy. Her efforts to look like a Japanese-inspired sex kitten are misguided and fail to come across as realistic or appealing.

The over-simplified pop lyrics don’t reach their goal of being catchy and easy to learn and rather come across as forced and trite. The use of Japanese in the lyrics is also unnecessarily awkward, especially because she neither speaks Japanese nor removes her Ca-

hey, hey, you, you... We don’t like Avril Lavigne’s new video. “Hello Kitty” came out on Tuesday, and

photo from internet source

has caused a stir in the music community.

nadian accent from her poor attempt to say Japanese words.

Overall, “Hello Kitty” is possibly the worst music video since Rebecca Black’s “Friday” based on music and artistic taste alone, but maybe it doesn’t deserve as much criticism for being racist as it’s been getting. The only thing that is not racist or misguided is the pastel color scheme,

which is admittedly cute. There is something to be said for cultural differences in taste. Lavigne’s video, as she said in her post on Facebook, was produced by many Japanese musical professionals. Equally interesting is the fact that her husband, Nickelback lead singer Chad Kroeger co-wrote the song, which contains aspects of dubstep and techno-pop. As a rock

band lead singer, he obviously knows how to write a good electropop song.

You should definitely see the video for yourself because it’s quickly becoming a huge topic on the Internet and will probably produce a plethora of memes with its wacky images. If this is some sort of ploy by Lavigne just to get media attention, it is certainly working.

April 25, 2014

The Brandeis Hoot

ARTS, ETC.

7

Springfest is here; happiness and cheer

By Theresa Gaffney editor

After a semester of waiting, the time has finally come for Springfest 2014: The Beach Party. There was much anticipation around the reveal of the bands, and after the customary build-up of a Student Events announcement, it is now known to be Icona Pop, Atmosphere, American Authors and RJD2.

“Brandeis easily takes the top spot for 2014,” said a Boston.com article that rated Brandeis as having the best local Springfest lineup. The article

commends Brandeis for its variety of music. With this praise, many students from surrounding colleges plan on visiting Brandeis this Sunday. One Bentley student who said this on the Facebook page for the event noted that he would “bring some Falcons with [him].”

Icona Pop released its latest album “This is … Icona Pop” in September of 2013. The band’s most well-known hit, “I Love It,” is featured on this album in addition to their debut album (“Icona Pop”).

Some students are questioning the performance style of the band as an electronic duo. “One of the things I’m most nervous for Icona Pop’s performance is the fact that they don’t play

real instruments. I’m not sure it will be as exciting to watch them press buttons,” said Jason Kasman ’16.

American Authors released their latest album, “Oh, What a Life,” in March 2013. The band is a return to some of the lighter, indie sound that has been featured during Brandeis Springfest in previous years. Despite releasing their album over a year ago, “Best Day of My Life” is the hit single from this album, which just last month reached No. 1 on the Adult Top 40 chart. While “Best Day of My Life” is the only song of the band’s that has made it big, they have numerous other singles including “Believer,” “Trouble” and “In a Big Country.”

Deesha Patel ’16 did not anxiously

await the lineup announcement, but when it did come out, American Authors was a pleasant surprise. “I’m more excited for the openers,” she commented. “I’m really excited to see American Authors.”

Atmosphere reached out to The Hoot for an interview to preview their upcoming album, “Southsiders,” to be released on May 6, but never returned any follow-up requests for comment. Singles already released from the album include “Bitter” and “Kanye West.”

Atmosphere’s sound is laid back and relaxed, fitting for a sunny Springfest day. Their rap style is fun to listen to, even for those who don’t consider themselves fans of rap. In

addition, they perform with a live band which provides them with an authentic sound.

Their single, “Kanye West,” exemplifies their style. The video is off-beat and jarring, while the lyrics come smooth over the beat. If their live performance is anything like their album sound, Brandeis will be in for quite a treat.

RJD2, producer and musician, was supposed to come to Brandeis earlier this semester for the Winter Concert Warehouse Party, but the event was cancelled due to weather.

As in the past, this year’s Springfest is setting itself up to be a successful day of music and fun for students before the semester comes to a close.

Arts Recommends: end of the year events

*Descriptions provided by the Office of the Arts.

4/25 & 4/26 8 pm SCC Theater: Boris’ Kitchen presents: Brokeback Dragon

Brandeis’ sketch comedy troupe serves hilarious, student-written send-ups of campus life, pop culture and the news. But if you can’t stand the heat…

4/25 1-3 pm SCC Multipurpose room: Art Workshop: Find yourself in love, beauty, wildness, dreams and the bizarre

Enter a room designed to fuel your creative fires through poetry and art. Engage in creative pursuits at one of our “playstations,” where art and words will inspire you and you’ll find the materials to follow your inspiration. Or get advice via our authorized Dream Getaway travel agent (Elizabeth Bradfield, poet-in-residence), who will vicariously whisk you away to another land via the customized Broadsided Press Viewmaster ™ Projection Vacations.

4/25 1-3 pm Merrick Theater, Spingold: Body Image Workshop: Find yourself in visual and theatrical expression

Discover more about your physical identity through theatrical and visual expression in this workshop led by Cameron Anderson, assistant professor of design (THA). Open to female students only, and space is limited. Dress to move, and bring something to write on.

4/25 & 4/26 5:30 pm Outside The Rose Art Museum: Twelfth Night or What You Will

Shakespeare’s topsy-turvy comedy of separated twins, shipwrecks, unrequited love, gender confusion and mistaken identity is boldly reimagined and retold in this student-devised production.

4/25 9 pm Chum’s: Crowd Control Semester Show 4/26 12:30-5:45 pm Great Lawn: Brandeis Folk Festival

Find yourself relaxing on the lawn and surrendering to the eclectic charm of the fifth annual Brandeis Folk Festival, featuring a gifted new generation of singer-songwriters from across New England. Lawn chairs and blankets welcome.

4/26 7 pm Levin Ballroom: Culture X

Celebrate the breathtaking diversity that defines the Brandeis community in this joyful, pluraistic performance of dance, music and spoken word by Brandeis students.

4/26 & 4/27 2 pm & 6 pm Spingold Theater: 10 by 10 A Theatrical Celebration

Raw, real, a little radical and a little renegade. Brandeis’ graduate acting students present 10 short, original solo pieces, each uniquely capturing their personal perspectives and creative passions from superstitions to superheroes. The program is performed in two parts. Recommended for adult audiences.

4/26 8 pm Bethlehem Chapel: Illuminations

Find yourself in the secretive world of a 1554 Belgian convent. The professional ensemble Cappella Clausura brings to life a remarkable piece of art and a collection of music with chant from a recently discovered antiphonal, period costumes, period food and full-color banners of pages from the Salzinnes Antiphonal.

4/26 9:30 pm Chum’s: Bad Grammer’s Sad Grandma Alumni Show 4/27 2:30 pm Chapel’s Field: Springfest Concert

The annual concert sponsored by Student Events and WBRS 100.1 FM. For more information, call 781-736-5065.

4/29 7 pm Chapel’s Field: The Foam Party 2014 4/29 9 pm Chum’s: TBA Presents: Campfire Stories: A Semester Show 5/4 2 pm Laurie Theater in Spingold: Company B’s 30th Anniversary Semester Show

A Cappella Fest

photo by michelle kim/the hoot

8 ARTS

The Brandeis Hoot

April 25, 2014

BIEI’s DREAM Monologues translates advocacy

By Vinh Nguyen Staff

Brandeis Immigration Education Initiative hosted DREAM Monologues: Moments of Transitions in Chum’s last Wednesday night. The event aimed at creating a platform for sharing and witnessing the stories of Brandeis students’ experiences of being in transition. Whether this means existing in a dual identity, going through family immigration statutes, or even leaving home for the first time.

DREAM Monologues began with opening remarks one of BIEI’s copresident, Jen Espada ’16. Espada’s words set the tone for the night, commenting on the themes of transition, being displaced and loss that would be explored through the various acts of the night. The performances showed a wide range of diversity, stretching from dance to poetry to song and rap.

The first segment of the DREAM Monologue was a dance performed

by Shaquan Perkins ’14 and Stephanie Ramous ’15. The duo danced to a mastermix of hip-hop medleys that included Disclosure’s “Latch,” featuring Sam Smith. Perkins’ movements were intricate and tight, while Ramos was able to showcase her great lyricism and flexibility.

Other performers included LauraBen Moore ’14 whose speech in an ad libitum style spoke on her frustration on the way academic art scrutinizes creativity and the need to defend her art. Moore also spoke on how words alone are not enough to express truth as “a matrix of the universe that we

can tap into.” Rohan Narayanan ’15 offered the audience an original poem that was met with much delight by the crowd. Using a strict rhyme scheme throughout, Narayanan shared his experiences of feeling displaced among his friends and the desire to be noticed, heard and understood. Mackalani Mack delivered a rap that paid tribute to his mom and the sacrifices she has made for him. Rapping to a recorded soundtrack, Mack’s piece also centered on finding his place away from home.

Leila May Pascual ’15, also used music as a mean of sharing her narrative.

Pascual performed an original song inspired by Professor Mitra Shavarini’s (WMGS) memoir “Desert Roots,” which speaks on her experiences as an Iranian-American growing up in the United States: “I related it to my own experience of coming to the United States when I was eight years old. My family’s original flight from the Philippines to the U.S. was scheduled to be few hours after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. My family came to the US during a time when xenophobia was its peak and fear permeated the country, from the weeks of ‘High Terrorism’ alert on the news headlines to my third grade classmates telling me to go back to the Philippines,” Pascual said in an interview. Her song, titled “Dasal ng Pagala” meaning “Nomad’s Prayer,” was sung entirely in Tagalog and sings of “home” as a place as place of support and love regardless of any storming obstacle.

As each performer took the stage, the performances began to converge onto similar notes throughout the night. Although each of their narratives was uniquely special, the per-

formances spoke to a larger, collective note of feeling the need to be seen, to have their narratives recognized, and their struggles validated.

“These narratives are important because they do not directly tie to immigration but show that everyone can relate to one another. Everyone who performed discussed their own experience of feeling out of place, missing home, dealing with identity issues.

BIEI wanted people to be able to share their own stories that could relate to anyone even if it was completely different,” explained co-president Estela Lozano ’16. “It was great to have the narratives because it creates a safe place for students to be able to relate even though we are all so different. We wanted to make the same connection with undocumented immigrants and the situations that they constantly face on a daily basis,” Lozano said.

More than just safe, the space of Chum’s was transformed into an environment where everyone in the room felt feel to be honest and open with each other. This atmosphere became increasingly palpable with each act. For instance, Yasmin Yousof ’15 performed a spoken word poem also about the inadequacy of the English language to express herself and her heritage, saying: “English force itself on my tongue, makes me forget how to roll the R’s that my mother taught me.” Yousof also spoke about her father, a devout man of Islam, and how long his beard has gotten. She expresses her worry on how people will react to her father because how prominently Muslim he looks, but does not want to tell her father to shave because she doesn’t want him to think he has a raised a daughter ashamed of her own

faith—breaking into tears as she delivered her poetry.

Yousof ’s piece, like many of the spoken word performers of the night like Bronte Velez ’16, Cristal Hernandez ’15, reached into an emotional

this is what dreams are made of

rawness that commanded the attention of everyone in the room. Each performer’s willingness to share their narratives of transition, change and resilience made DREAM Monologues a powerfully intimate evening.

photo from internet source

Avant-garde artists provide unique Chum’s experience

By Jess Linde editor

On April 11, just before the Brandeis community took its second spring break, students packed into Chum’s Coffee House for a musical experience unlike any other presented this year. The concert, originally scheduled to take place outside The Rose, was driven inside by the rain, and was set up by WBRS, the club’s final show of the school year. The show featured two bands: Canada’s Yamantaka//Sonic Titan and New York City’s Son Lux, two very different acts.

Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, started by performance artists Ruby Kato Attwood and Alaska b., is a five-piece ensemble that plays a unique blend of rock and the music of various cultures, including indigenous Canadian. On the other hand, Son Lux is the live band of Ryan Lott, a singer and composer who has worked with artists such as Sufjan Stevens and Lorde.

After the large crowd of wet students crammed themselves into the smaller venue, it looked like many did not know what to expect from the performance. Though Son Lux has a following, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan is not all that well known, and the crowd’s lukewarm reaction once the band took the stage reflected that.

But Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, clad in bedazzled leather jackets and facepaint, immediately blew the audience away. The band’s music, powered by grungy guitars, complex drums, classical piano and amazing vocal range from Attwood and co-lead singer Ange Loft creates a theatrical and danceable atmosphere that attendees responded to enthusiastically. Songs

such as “Whalesong” had the feeling of classic progressive rock and an almost operatic storyline in the lyrics, and Chum’s ate it up.

But as the band began to increase volume on dancier songs, the sound, run by Student Production Services, began to crackle. The microphones had some horrible feedback, as if all the knobs on the Chum’s soundboard had been cranked. The issues resolved eventually, but it was noticeable and clearly bothered both the audience and the band members.

Yamantaka//Sonic Titan finished their set after almost 10 songs, and Son Lux took the stage, thankfully backed by their own sound engineers.

Son Lux’s dreamy, hip-hop inspired

songs were a total 180 from the first act, but the crowd’s response was just as positive. Lott and his band played through their set with palpable emotion and soul, calling to bands such as Massive Attack and the aforementioned Lorde with their minimal-yetcomplex sound.

The audience danced and sang along to the more intimate Son Lux, clearly enjoying themselves, especially during the musical swells that made the dance floor burst with energy.

It was fun, and for several students, romantic, once Lott brought out his slower compositions. Lott, who has composed and arranged music for films such as 2012’s “Looper,” clearly has a comprehensive understanding

of musical theory, and that came out in his vocals and keyboard work. Lott also showcased a wide variety of influences, including pop, classical music, rhythm and blues, and even dance music, as heard in his backing drum and bass tracks.

Though the venue was pretty crowded, the event was definitely not one of WBRS’ rowdier shows. I was thankful for this; the last time people decided to dance crazily in Chums, some kid in a banana suit gave me a huge bruise on my side after running his elbow into me. Here people seemed happy just to watch, dance with friends, and/ or just sway to the music, which I did, because I can’t dance. Still, both bands created a very immersive atmosphere,

and both put on a great performance While I personally enjoyed the more experimental and energetic Yamantaka//Sonic Titan, I nevertheless had a lot of fun watching Son Lux and was glad to have discovered both artists as a result of the concert. Audience members talked to members of both bands after the show, buying T-shirts and vinyl records before braving the rain and walking home. As always, the concert was followed by a student-led dance party, which I didn’t stay for but listened to as I left. Overall, the presentation was a great way for students to get together and enjoy music before finals in a more intimate fashion than the upcoming SpringFest will offer.

Kudos to WBRS.

photo from internet source

April 25, 2014

The Brandeis Hoot

ARTS, ETC.

9

Bernstein Festival opens with interactive event at The Rose

By Clayre Benzadon Staff

The Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts began Thursday when The Rose Art Museum hosted a guided sketching tour, presented by SCRAM (the Student Committee for The Rose Art Museum), starting at 7 p.m.

I was amazed by all the abstract paintings displayed on the walls, but what really struck me was one of the paintings by Charlin Von Heyl.

It contained a lot of pop-art images scattered all around the canvas, which at first, just seemed like a disorganized jumble of objects. But when I was sketching it, I started drawing lips, which were cut through by a line down the middle. Then I drew an eye floating in open space, and a couple of black and white objects that seemed to make out a flower that framed what looked like a face made out of other lines.

What I didn’t realize, however, was that there seemed to be a certain method to the madness of the piece. I was not aware of this until I took the guided sketching tour, which gave the audience a lot of insight into the paintings we observed because of all the interesting analysis and comments.

One of the first pieces that we looked at was also by Charlin Von Heyl and it depicted a sort of vortex. The focus of the artwork (at least through my eyes) was on the left side of the painting, while the rest of the painting contained other abstract elements. Von Heyl chose to use light

colors throughout the painting so that no part of the painting would overpower the piece. Therefore, the audience was able to see the patterns, the eerie backdrop (which looked like a structure of a mansion) and a second layer of the piece that contained a three-dimensional effect. These three triangles jutting out of the painting depicted a sort of spiral staircase that let our minds wander up towards the top part of the composition, the focal point.

We then walked into another gal-

lery. There were so many elements scattered in the next painting that it was a bit overwhelming for some people. Once we started our discussion, I began to piece things together in the painting. For me, the painting seemed to juxtapose the outside urban life with that of the domestic. Lines and brushstrokes sketched out a bridge and an ocean. The three-dimensional objects seemed to illustrate houses, windows and at the very top of the painting, I even began to see a fan.

What particularly bothered some

people about the painting was the scrambling of elements. There were so many squiggly lines and big bright organic shapes, that there was nothing that seemed to anchor the painting except for the small, white rectangle at the very corner. However, like before, we learned that the artist did in fact have to plan out where he was going to include the different elements before actually drawing them out. I found it amazing that he was able to bring such ordinary objects to life.

Through this experience, I realized that abstract art is a medium that allows us to see things through different perspectives. It opens our minds up to strange and clever elements that we never really stop to think about in our daily lives. Living through art not only helps to inspire our creative side but also allows us to think differently and aesthetically. Through art, we become not only more worldly, but also more able to appreciate life through a different lens. Art is about appreciating the beauty in life.

photo from internet source

Close Looking Series presents on French Revolution pamphlets

By Cheshta Singh Special to the Hoot

Professors Sue Lanser (ENG/ WMGS/CL) and Martine Voiret (FREN) presented “French Revolution Pamphlets,” part of the Close Looking Series at Rapaporte Treasure Hall.

Close Looking is a series of events that gives a platform for two faculty members to present on some of the university’s greatest gems, from the library’s Special Collections to The Rose Art Museum.

According to the faculty members, the French Revolution Collection “involves 94 items at the very least” (the pamphlets are very thin so it is easy for them to get lost).

Nine of the items are in English, and Thomas Paine wrote at least six, who is famous for writing the pamphlet “Common Sense.” The pamphlets range from just three to four pages to 40-60 pages; most of the pamphlets are from the 1790s and are cataloged alphabetically. As Voiret explained, this is the time period of “journée” where something new every day was happening and the collection reflects the historical atmosphere. As both explained, “there is a déluge of cheap print, and this is the age of the pamphlet,” which set the foundation to allow people to have access to these vast materials even centuries later.

Just because we can access to these pamphlets does not mean that we fully understand them. Lanser explained how one of the most fascinating things about the collection is that “there is a problem of interpreting

anything,” describing how some of the pamphlets contain parody citing “La Lanterne Magique Nationale” as “very comical, like a circus.” Who is speaking and for what purpose are they speaking? These are questions that Lanser posed concerning the pamphlets and for the most part, the questions remain unanswered. “They are written only during the moment and don’t leave much context about the situation and time they are from,” she said.

Another problem they cited was how the writers frequently use rhetorical strategies. Also unknown is how much impact the pamphlets actually had during the time period.

“One challenge is to flesh out the world when pamphlets were written,” Lanser said. The mystery of the pamphlets and how little we actually understand the context they were from is a point that was often mentioned.

Lanser and Voiret also discussed the three reports on vandalism that Grégoire wrote. The members in the audience heard a short etymology lesson. The word vandalism was actually invented by Grégoire. Featured was a quote from Grégoire: “J’ai créé le mot pour tier la chose” (“I created the word to avoid the thing”). He believed that destroying art in his time was vandalism. In 1794, he wrote three famous reports that detail the destruction of the art that was carried out. There was something missing because there was no national outcry. There was a lack of care and concern. “Castles were left to decay without second thoughts.” Nobody was worried that the art might form a country’s culture and heritage. He encouraged authorities to protect the art, while also “providing a rationale

fragility Pamphlets on display were delicate artifacts that were not to be touched.

for preservation rather than than for the items to be destroyed or sold” in his reports. As studying history is important to avoid the mistakes of the past, Grégoire argued that ignorance leads to tyranny. The reports contributed to showcasing the importance of preserving the art of the country.

Some of the pamphlets involve matters besides politics and art. The “Confession générale de Son Altesse Sérénissime Mgr. le Comte d’Artois” pamphlets say very little about his politics, and instead focus more on

the sexual actions that he admits to.

They mention that Mgr. le Comte d’Artois contracted syphilis and passed it onto his wife. There are dozens of pamphlets about him accusing Marie Antoinette of “selling France and appropriating power.”

After both faculty members finished presenting on the subject, they opened the floor up for questions. A question was asked about how the pamphlets got to Brandeis, but they didn’t have an exact answer. The collection was probably not donated as

photo from internet source

a single entity. Lanser said that given the depth and breadth of the collection, it was probably “not an intentional but an accidental collection.”

It was a pleasure to attend this event and learn some history, while hearing two faculty members show off their expertise on a little-known subject.

The pamphlets discussed in the presentation were also on display for people to see. I was amazed by how thin and flimsy they are, while at the same time in awe of how much history was created between the pages.

EDITORIALS

10 The Brandeis Hoot

“To acquire wisdom, one must observe.”

Editors-in-Chief Emily Stott Dana Trismen Andrew Elmers Opinion Editor Theresa Gaffney Arts, Etc. Editor Mia Edelstein Copy Editor Julie Landy Copy Editor Jesse Zeng Photography Editor Jun Zhao Graphics Editor Katie Chin Online Editor Michelle Kim Deputy Arts Editor Jess Linde Deputy News Editor Emily Belowich Deputy News Editor Nathan Benjamin Deputy Sports Editor Nate Rosenbloom Senior Editor

Volume 11 • Issue 12 the brandeis hoot • brandeis university 415 south street • waltham, ma

Founded By Leslie Pazan, Igor Pedan and Daniel Silverman

STAFF

Nathan Benjamin, Clayre Benzadon, Matt Brondoli, Shikha Chandarana, Rachel Dobkin, Roy Fan, Haley Fine, Evan Goldstein, Edwin Gonzalez, Jaye Han, Maya Himelfarb, Eli Kaminsky, Josh Kelly, Shayna Korol, Joe Lanoie, Nabi Menai, Monique J Menezes, Vinh Nguyen, Charlie Romanow, Lisa Petrie, Sasha Ruiz, Emily Scharf, Shanlai Shangguan, Eliana Sinoff, Naomi Soman, Michael Wang, Shreyas Warrier, Jamie Wong, Linjie Xu, Ludi Yang

MISSION As the weekly community student newspaper of Brandeis University, The Brandeis Hoot aims to provide our readers with a reliable, accurate and unbiased source of news and information.

Produced entirely by students, The Hoot serves a readership of 6,000 with in-depth news, relevant commentary, sports and coverage of cultural events. Recognizing that better journalism leads to better policy, The Brandeis Hoot is dedicated to the principles of investigative reporting and news analysis. Our mission is to give every community member a voice.

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T

April 25, 2014

A year in review

o mark The Brandeis Hoot’s 10year anniversary and to celebrate the closing of the 2013-2014 school year, The Hoot decided to take a look back on the events that have shaped the life of students over the past year. The following five articles all involve concerns that students have raised, and that in turn, have resulted in some action by the university. This has been a tumultuous year for Brandeis, but the students have been far from silent. From protesting former president Jehuda Reinharz’s executive compensation to calling for more services for victims of sexual assault, students at Brandeis have never forgotten that they have a voice. They have written articles, signed petitions, staged protests and taken to social media. They have demanded more of the Brandeis administration and promoted our ideal of social justice.

These five stories, all shared by The Brandeis Hoot over the course of this year, prove that Brandeis students will not be silenced.

through social media outlets such as Facebook. This year, Brandeis students have also created “SpeakOut! Brandeis,” an anonymous Tumblr blog dedicated to victims of sexual assault. Administration has responded over the past year by hiring Sheila McMahon as sexual assault prevention specialist. They have also promoted the Bystander Intervention Program on campus.

“Students demand more resources for sexual violence”: The article describes how Brandeis Students Against Sexual Violence hand-delivered copies of of a letter to President Fred Lawrence, asking for increased resources to combat sexual assault on campus. The group also wanted to increase awareness around the issue. Students began a similar petition on Change.org, which was spread

“MSA disrespected by vandalism”: The article details how the Muslim Student Association suite has been targeted multiple times over the past few years, and recently someone removed part of a sign that promoted peace and security. After the article was released, the MSA received many letters of support, and more students became aware of the issue. The university also offered to install a video camera.

“Univ. to improve crosswalk safety, collaborating with Waltham”: The article discusses the administration’s response to a collision that resulted in the hospitalization of three student pedestrians. The crosswalk by Lindsay Pool proved to be a hazard, as The Hoot reported, considering this was not the first accident to take place there in recent years. The administration responded by upping police security around the area and encouraging students to use the button to signify their crossing. They also promised future efforts and suggested a motion-sensored crosswalk precaution.

“FA dept. underfunded, endures poor facilities”: The article highlights the Prospect St. art studio, a building in disrepair that senior fine arts majors and post baccalaureate students take classes at. The building is also a far distance away from campus, and students struggled with transportation to and from the studio.

Some students also mentioned feeling harassed and unsafe around the building. In the wake of the article, administration members contact some of the distressed fine arts majors. Transportation problems with BranVan services were somewhat resolved, and Waltham police increased surveillance in the area.

“Students protest Reinharz’s executive compensation”: The article profiles a group of students who banded together to brave a winter blizzard in order to protest the exorbitant executive compensation received by former university President Jehuda Reinharz. The group held signs and chanted outside of the administrative offices for hours, despite the extreme winds and snow. “It is completely ridiculous to give so much money to somebody who is barely here,” said Aaren Weiner ’16, co-organizer of the protest.

The university supported the students’ right to protest. “Brandeis University encourages debate, discussion and frank exchange of conflicting views.”

THANK YOU Editors and Staff!

OPINION

April 25, 2014

The Editor’s Desk

Reminiscing on four years of storytelling

By Emily Stott Editor

After working on nearly 100 issues of The Hoot, this will be my final one. It has been a journey full of wonderful things and disappointments, triumphs and mistakes, but there is nothing quite like being part of a college newspaper. Next week, it will feel strange for me to be somewhere other than the BMC at 2 a.m. on a Thursday night, but I feel confident that our paper will continue to publish important stories for hundreds of more issues to come.

The Hoot was originally created to “fill a void”—and I have seen it do just that. Whether reporting on neglected crosswalk safety, vandalized student groups, sexual assault, the Boston marathon bombing or university finances, we have reported on the issues that concern us, the students. We advocate for what we hope to see changed. A newspaper is a chance for everyone to share their voices and to be heard by the community. It has been a privilege to hear the varying stories of our Brandeis community and to share those stories with a larger, sometimes national, audience.

The Hoot is now in its 10th year of existence. And here we are, continuing to report with a larger staff than we’ve ever had before. We have an excellent bunch of writers, photographers, designers and editors. We know how to work as a team.

We might complain about our late nights and urgent deadlines, but we keep coming back be-

Faculty Voices

The Brandeis Hoot 11

cause we know this is important.

We have a responsibility to keep our community informed, and we take that very seriously. (But we’re still going to have sword fights and eat frozen yogurt at midnight from near-exhaustion.)

I’m looking forward to seeing what new ideas members will initiate in the future. It’s tough to work with an ever-changing group of people, in a tiny room that always seems 20 degrees warmer than the hallway. But I am constantly impressed with the staff and editors’ dedication to making the paper the best it can be.

Sometimes articles don’t work out quite as we anticipate, and we are faced with additional challenges. But the difficulties and obstacles are all part of the experience—how can you learn if you don’t make mistakes? A journalist never wants to make mistakes, but as students who are still trying to comprehend the world and the university environment, we learn from our experiences and become better reporters for it.

I will not be continuing journalism in the traditional sense after I leave Brandeis. But I will carry with me the constant reminders to think critically, ask difficult questions and understand people’s backgrounds and stories. As student journalists, we are always on the look out for a new story idea. When I read others’ stories in the future, I can participate in the next part of the process—acting on that story and making a change in the world, just as we hope our

photo by jason kasman/the hoot

readers do here at Brandeis.

The best part of joining The Hoot has always been the interesting bunch of people I’m working with. Feeling welcomed, comfortable and supported by my editors and staff makes the long nights worth it. We’re all working toward the same thing:

producing a quality paper that has the potential to make our community more accepting, more kind and more sensible.

We are not just colleagues, but friends.

I will certainly miss being part of The Hoot. I’ll miss the laughter, the ridiculous stories, the in-

tense debates and even the black ink covering my hands after distributing the paper on Friday mornings. But I can’t wait to see what the next decade will bring, both for the paper and the many students who offer their contributions to make it as great as it can be.

Teaching at Brandeis: an extraordinary experience

photo courtesy stephanie wasserman

By Dr. Stephanie Wasserman Special to the Hoot

A few years ago, I became a Scholar at the Women’s Studies Research Center (WSRC) at Brandeis. My field is behavioral neuroscience, but I ap-

plied to carry out new research on gender issues in foster care, with particular emphasis on exemplary foster care by women. As soon as I became a Scholar, I learned that the WSRC offers a competitive program called the Student/Scholar Partnership where

a Brandeis undergraduate can apply to assist a WSRC Scholar with her research. The Student/Scholar Partner, Ms. Kass Levy, whom I selected and worked with for two years, was an outstanding young woman of exceptional intellect and dedication.

Working with such a gifted student led me to become interested in teaching Brandeis undergraduates in the classroom. WSRC Director Professor Shulamit Reinharz encourages all the Scholars to get to know the faculty, and I decided to find out what was happening in the Psychology Department.

This is how I happened to sit across the desk from Paul DiZio, Chair of the Psychology Department. At the end of our discussion he not only offered me an opportunity to teach a course in my field, “Biological Basis of Motivation,” but he also showed interest in my research regarding foster care and adoption.

10 years ago I relinquished my tenured faculty position at Endicott College to care for my newly adopted daughter and began teaching parttime at a college located closer to my home. In my experiences at those two institutions of higher learning, I never taught a course with as many as 86 students, the number that had pre-enrolled in the Biological Basis of Motivation. I worried that when I entered that large lecture hall I might be overwhelmed by 86 pairs of eyes staring at me.

What I didn’t understand was how warmly I would be received by the entire Brandeis community and how

well both the Committee for the Support of Teaching and the Psychology Department would actively aid and encourage me as a new, albeit adjunct, faculty member.

Initially I thought the e-mail from Lorna Laurent, assistant dean of Arts and Sciences, inviting me to a “New Faculty Orientation” had been a mistake. I was, after all, scheduled to teach only one course. Could it be that Brandeis was offering to invest in my teaching development just as they would a full-time faculty member?

When I walked into the orientation, I experienced a deep sense of belonging and collegial dialogue. Dan Perlman, associate provost of innovation in education and professor of biology, presented a talk on “Effective Teaching, Effective Learning” and shared engaging strategies for supporting dynamic, in-class conversations in large lecture courses.

His presentation on a strategy known as “Just in Time Teaching” demonstrated how a professor can send out questions and invite student thoughts (QTs) on specific readings via Google Forms and then tailor his/ her lecture to the expressed needs of the students. In addition, the professor can incorporate student comments (anonymously of course) into the class PowerPoints or lectures.

Janet McIntosh, associate professor of anthropology, and Rachel Woodruff, lecturer in biology, co-presented a workshop on teaching large classes, which was extremely helpful—especially in its discussion of managing multiple, highly talented TAs.

The greatest assistance however, came from Paul DiZio, chair and associate professor of psychology. His respectful, responsive and effective management style translated into reliable support throughout the year.

My desire to teach at Brandeis was reinforced by my experience working with the highly intelligent, curious and engaging student body. You, the Brandeis student, provide the energy that professors need in order to read, comment on and grade the multitude of exams, papers and projects that cross our desks throughout the academic year. You are why we teach.

You are the catalyst for dynamic dialogue and intellectual exchange. You breathe fresh life into old academe.

I once again was given the opportunity to teach here at Brandeis. The WSRC offers its Resident Scholars the opportunity to compete for a teaching slot in the university. One Scholar per year teaches a course in a department that requests her. Paul DiZio invited me to teach a new course, Attachment, Separation, Risk, and Resilience in Adoption and Foster Care, this current semester, grounded in my current research. My students and I are utilizing a child-centered approach as we investigate underlying evidence-based theoretical constructs regarding attachment, separation, risk and resilience.

I look forward to fall 2014, when I will be teaching two large lecture courses: Biological Basis of Motivation and Developmental Psychology.

Teaching at Brandeis is an extraordinary experience.

12 OPINION

The Brandeis Hoot

April 25, 2014

Uncertainty in life after college

By Josh Kelly Staff

As the semester comes to a close and summer approaches, students are gearing up to either start internships and jobs or to continue in the arduous search for internships and jobs. As a second-semester senior, I am personally looking for a position to take up as I consider going to law school in a couple years.

While I am generally confident that things will work out—not just for me but for most of my graduating classmates—I also find myself very irritated at a few aspects of the typical job search and think that it really doesn’t have to be this way. Employers can and should alter the way they do things.

One of the great frustrations of applying to jobs is trying to write and format a resume such that it will appeal to the employer. It makes sense that different types of jobs would necessitate the writing of slightly different resumes, given that so many people—especially in a college setting—have so many different experiences to potentially bring up. It obviously can’t all fit onto one page, and therefore people need to choose the specific aspects of themselves to highlight for the specific job. This is the general idea that Hiatt emphasizes when working with students on resumes—that depending on what you’re applying to, your resume should change.

However, Hiatt can be frustrating to deal with. I intend no insult to the counselors there, as they clearly do care about helping students achieve success, and yet I personally found the process of getting my resume

photo from internet source

approved to be somewhat frustrating. It required multiple sessions with different counselors, and occasionally the counselors would have contradictory viewpoints. The obvious problem is that there is no correct model for how to write a good resume.

Different career counselors view resumes differently, and so do different employers.

This resume problem could easily be fixed. An employer knows what kind of candidate

they want, and it is to their own detriment if they have to sort through a massive amount of applications which highlight characteristics in candidates which they do not care about. To help make the process smoother, employers should simply post online examples of resumes of people who have been hired for the position in the past. Personal identifiers like names and phone numbers could be redacted, and all that would remain would be

factors like GPA and past job experience. Candidates would be able to see exactly the kind of person who gets hired. This would help them see if they indeed do stand a chance or if they should not waste their time. Furthermore, they would be able to see what they should accentuate on their own application. Some could argue that there is a substantial risk of falsifying applications to try to make oneself seem that they are something they’re

not, and yet I would disagree with this idea. Any plagiarism directly from the samples would be blatantly obvious, and people already lie on applications about their activities in the status quo.

Employers can account for such falsifications simply by asking for references as verification— which they do already.

Another great frustration, of course, is cover letters. It goes See HIRING, page 15

Academic justice at crossroads over Hirsi Ali controversy

By Joe Lanoie Staff

Ayaan Hirsi Ali suffered at the hands of those who used religion to justify evil actions. After this trauma, Hirsi Ali became an advocate for the rights she herself had lost, becoming a critic of Islam in the process.

Brandeis University offered Hirsi Ali

photo from internet source

an honorary degree for her feminist efforts, despite her statements against Islam. After a well-deserved uproar from the student body, the university declared it could not “overlook certain of her past statements that are inconsistent with Brandeis’ core values.” Despite the official memorandum, Brandeis University is not

off the hook. Brandeis devalued our degrees by its poor manners to Hirsi Ali by highlighting its past double standards and by setting an unachievable standard for future speakers: complete agreement.

Brandeis University follows academic justice instead of academic freedom, which endangers dissenting

opinions. I take the term “academic justice” from a Harvard Crimson oped, where the author argued that academia should suppress research that pursues offensive ideals. This idea fuelled the outrage against Hirsi Ali’s coming; since she has called Islam horrific and erroneous names, she should not be tolerated. Personally,

despite my disagreements with her, I would love to hear her speak or even for her to be honored by the university. Aristotle said, “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Hirsi Ali’s presence would have allowed us to show off our educated minds. In academic justice, offensive dissent cannot be tolerated. Universities exist to justify free discussion of all ideas, from those we agree with to those we find absolutely wrong. Academic justice goes against the ideas of a university and a liberal society. With academic justice, it does not matter the prose or the validity of the argument, but solely its popularity.

Brandeis’ ill-advised actions were impolite. Brandeis originally claimed Hirsi Ali was “a compelling public figure and advocate for women’s rights … we regret that we were not aware of these statements earlier.” The deciders knew she was a women’s rights advocate, but not about her statements?

The first part of research is to enter a query into an Internet search engine.

If Brandeis had Googled “Ayaan Hirsi Ali controversy,” they could have avoided the entire cataclysm we faced.

It is amazing that Brandeis would not do something so many people do by instinct now, especially when school administrators use Facebook and Twitter from smart phones. After Brandeis revoked the invitation, Hirsi Ali also published a statement, which said, “I was completely shocked when President Frederick Lawrence called me—just a few hours before issuing See CONTROVERSY, page 15

April 25, 2014

OPINION 13

The Brandeis Hoot

Reflections on the first year

By Nabi Menai Staff

It seems like it was just yesterday: anxiously entering my dorm room for the first time, saying goodbye to my parents and desperately trying to acclimate to my new surroundings. It seemed as though the end of the year was unfathomably far off, a tiny speck on the ever so distant horizon. It is difficult to believe that the year is coming to a close and two semesters have flown by so quickly.

Will the succeeding years feel the same? Will they, too, come and go with such haste? The only way to find out is to wait, but for now, all one can do is reflect upon the past year and look back on the countless experiences that have come to shape their overall college experience. While such reflection elicits boundless joy, it also leaves space for learning and most importantly, self-improvement.

It is amazing how much change can occur within the span of one year. College may seem simultaneously daunting, exciting and almost everything else. Although it does not take particularly long to adjust to such a new lifestyle, there are inevitably going to be new challenges. Doing laundry alone, living with someone who, for the most part, is completely new and sleeping at decent hours are all part of the nascent phase.

Over time this phase no longer becomes a “phase” and instead seeps into everyday life. As a result, not only are you forced to mature but also make new decisions culminating in a profound

By Emily Scharf

sense of change which permeates each and every one of us.

The impact that such change has is significant. Not only does it impact everyday decisions but also one’s outlook on life. When I return home now, for example, I cherish the time I have much more than I used to before coming to college. Every time I return home, I realize that I will have to just as quickly go back. Consequently, I try to make the most of all the time I get rather than letting it slip by. It is a feeling that many students experiences as they reconcile living in a college dorm and not their bedroom. The sense of responsibility that comes with the college experience carries in itself a powerful sense of change. This responsibility is not just derived from having to do individual tasks but also from the decisions you are forced to make in ever-changing environments, which will help you grow as a person.

Having ample time also leaves space for self-reflection which consequently leads to self-improvement. When looking back, it is easy to fixate on memories without learning anything from them. There is always something to learn from all that has happened before. Through such reflection, opportunities for selfevaluation are interminable. The decisions that we make individually always have their respective consequences, but we can only fully realize the effect of our decisions and actions when we reflect upon them and when we do so we are inevitably going to make

graphic by janet jun zhao/the hoot

either better of more informed decisions in the future as a result.

Taking the time to reach these realizations is always beneficial.

Finally, as the school year finishes, the greatest reflections are your achievements. Whether it is in academic excellence or musical

advancement that one has made progress in, these are all things of which to be grateful and proud.

These are life-long accomplishments that all help us in reaching our goals. To reach those goals, it is important to recognize each and every step we take along the

way as they are all equally important.

As busy as the year has been with all the events and struggles it contained, there is another one waiting around the corner, ready to pass us by just like the one before.

Makeover needed for plastic utensils

Staff

When I walk into Usdan to get lunch, I am inevitably annoyed by the lack of silverware and the vast array of plastic utensils. There are massive containers dedicated to dispensing plastic forks, spoons and knives one-by-one. Yet, there are tiny containers with maybe 20 or so spoons, forks and knives made of actual metal. With such a sustainability focused campus, why are there infinitely more disposable options than reusable ones?

Plasticware is, to put it simply, wasteful. There is no benefit to it besides its disposability, and that is inherently the problem.

We cannot live on this planet with the mindset that single-use throwaway items are solutions.

Disposability is not a solution— it’s a problem disguised as a solution, sold to the masses without a second thought as to where anything thrown away will end up. How can we live with disposable things, when our planet is irreplaceable? How can we manufacture things and design them for obsolescence, when we know that they will end up polluting the earth somewhere down the line?

As much as I believe in the permanence of things, and creating as little waste as possible, this is not the sole reason for my distaste with plastic utensils. Plastic utensils, aside from being wasteful, are functionally defunct. (Although I am not sure it’s right to call something defunct that never really worked in the first place.)

If you have ever eaten anything with a plastic utensil, you should

graphic by janet jun zhao/the hoot

know the pain and frustration that comes with attempting to use these inadequate implements; you surely know the frustration of tines snapping off of forks, the anger that accompanies a utensil snapping in two in your hand and the sheer aggravation of trying to cut a piece of meat with a pathetically serrated plastic knife.

This begs an important question: If plasticware is bad for the environment, and functionally useless, why do we use it? Why as

a society do we find its consumption acceptable? Why is there no better option?

I’d like to propose a better option. What if there was some sort of way to make real silverware more portable and accessible? I think there should be a product that makes this possible. Imagine a key ring with a fork, spoon and knife hanging from it. They’re all made of titanium, meant to last a long time, and each would have a cap or sheath covering the part

of the utensil that you eat with.

Perhaps the utensils could fold in half for space saving reasons, and have some sort of locking mechanism to ensure stability.

All you’d need to do is rinse or wipe the utensil off before replacing the sheath, and then you’d have a clean and reusable option, portable enough to carry around with you. You could carry them on your key ring, or maybe just in your pocket, and wash it at the end of the day. Maybe there

could even be some sort of antimicrobial technology built into the utensil, like in some newer ballpoint pen grips. Perhaps universities would give them out at orientation and companies would give them out upon hiring. What if we could eliminate the need for plasticware, and implement only silverware in places where these key ring utensils were forgotten?

I think the world would be a happier and healthier place with this kind of option.

14 OPINION

The Brandeis Hoot

April 25, 2014

Eliana’s Advice

Long-term relationships offer diverse dilemmas

By Eliana Sinoff

tempted to buy the unhealthy stuff at Dunkin’. If you are still having trouble resisting, try to wean yourself off of it. Try limitDear Eliana, ing yourself to one donut a week I thought that by living in and then work your way down an apartment with a kitchen, I from there. would be able to have better con-Eliana trol over my diet. Instead of having to rely on what’s being served Eliana, at Sherman or Usdan, I could A while back my long-term SO just cook my own food. Little and I broke up. I turned to my did I know that I actually had to friend for help and he was very know how to cook in order to eat supportive. After a month or so, well. So I’ve been eating a lot of my SO and I patched things up donuts recently. They’re just too and got back together, though good, and I happen to be around there was a long hazy period of Dunkin’ a lot for some reason. on/off dating. My friend didn’t How do I hold myself from like this at all and said I was bepacking an artery every morning ing an idiot for wanting to get and eating a donut? How do I go back together with my SO. This about trying to teach myself how saddens me greatly but I realize to cook?

I cannot change the way he feels -Jelly-Filled about the situation. Not only does losing such a close friend Dear Jelly-Filled, hurt but it also hurts knowing I understand the temptation that he regards me so negatively. that is donuts. And cooking re- How do I go about mending this quires effort. But all is not lost; relationship while maintaining there are some ways to learn to my relationship with my girlcook that are completely doable. friend?

One option is to take a cook-Conflicted ing class. Do it with a friend or housemate so that you know Dear Conflicted, someone there and can have That is a sticky situation inmore fun. It’s a way to bond and deed. Ideally your friend would learn the basics of cooking and be OK with you getting back maybe even some good recipes. together with your significant Another way is to ask someone other, but that does not seem to you know to teach you for free. be the case. There are a few ways Maybe your mom can hand this could go. First, you could down some secret family recipes choose your girlfriend. You for you to use. One last option is would lose your friend but keep to buy a cookbook and sit down someone else you care about. On and teach yourself. The Internet the other hand, you could listen can teach you to do anything. to your friend and break up with It’s actually quite amazing. Once your girlfriend again. Then you you just get down to it and learn would have your friend, and he to cook, hopefully, you’ll be less wouldn’t look down at you, but Staff

you would not have a girlfriend.

Another way this could go is that you could talk to your friend.

Listen to his concerns about getting back together with this girl, and then tell him your side and all the reasons you want to be with her. Hopefully, you can respectfully see the other person’s point of view and come to an agreement, where you guys can still be friends. Maybe he doesn’t have to hang out with your girlfriend and be best friends with her also, but at least the two of you can have a friendship where you both respect each other’s decisions.

-Eliana Dear Eliana, My long-term boyfriend and I have been living together for a few months now, and it’s going pretty well, but not so well with my father. He is really religious and really doesn’t approve that I live with my boyfriend. My father is paying for my tuition as well as housing, so I want to respect his thoughts, but I want to maintain my independence. I really enjoy my living situation and want to let my father know that I’m not going to change because he doesn’t like it, so how do I get him to see it from my side? Or at least how I do let it not bother me?

-Daddy’s Little Girl Dear Daddy’s Little Girl, The best thing for you and your father is to communicate and to try and find a compromise. If your dad really doesn’t approve of you and your boyfriend living together, then it’s unlikely you’ll change his mind. However,

you could explain to him what you like about your living situation, such as how you can split the rent with someone, and you like to spend the time with your boyfriend, and how serious your relationship with him is. Just tell him how you feel, and listen to how he feels. He probably has valid reasons to prefer you don’t live with your boyfriend yet. You both need to try to understand each other’s views. A compromise that could work is that you pay some of your own tuition and housing. That way, you are more independent, but you still get the help from your dad. It might be hard, but if your independence and ability to live with your boyfriend is important to you, then it will be worth the effort.

-Eliana

photo from internet source

a lot to balance work and school.

One option is to just get a different job that is less cumbersome, but that it a very drastic measure. If you are comfortable with it, confront your boss politely. Just tell her that you have a lot of schoolwork, and it would be really helpful if she could give you work during the hours you are there and being paid. If she Dear Eliana, One of the ways I keep my- understands, she should get that self busy is with an on-campus you have other priorities besides job. The pay is fine and it isn’t work. It is unlikely she will fire too stressful, except when my you for telling the truth.

-Eliana boss keeps assigning me work to do even at times when I’m offDear Readers, shift. She’s my boss, so I don’t If you can’t already tell, this is want to just turn her down for fear of my employment, but I’m an advice column and I’m here to a student first. Sometimes the help you with any questions that work she wants me to do really you might have! If you want more gets in the way of my classes exciting questions, send them in and stresses me out, and I can’t and I will do my best to answer handle all of it. I’m fine with the them. Whether it’s relationships, amount of work during my shift, social problems, or just life in but this extra work puts me over general—send them here. I can’t the edge. How do I approach my wait to start hearing about everyone’s problems (how often boss about this? do you hear people say that? Oh -Over-encumbered yeah, never). Send questions to ElianasAdvice@gmail.com.

Dear Over-encumbered, Thanks!

Good for you for getting a -Eliana job! I understand that it can be

Changing seasons: will you be ready?

By Michael Wang Staff

Winter is over and spring is here; is everyone happy? It’s the end of what most people would consider the harshest season to weather while living in New England, and presumably it’ll be nothing but sunny days, leafy trees, nice breezes and tiny flowers.

And for much of the time, it’ll be exactly that.

But if you’re from California or Greece or China and haven’t lived here for almost two decades, you ought to know a few things before you throw your winter clothes into an incinerator and modify your wardrobe to consist of nothing but short pants and flip-flops. The weather here, as you may have already gathered, is mercurial and sometimes feels as though it’ll just up and change seasons from one day to the next.

For example, one should anticipate a lot more rain in the next two or so months. Massachusetts, as you’ve probably seen in December, tends to experience a lot of precipitation in the winter in the form of snow and sometimes hail. In the spring and summer, there are occasional bouts of torrential downpour that will utterly destroy someone should they be standing in the middle of an open space without any immediate shelter. Lately I’ve seen people walking around in drizzles wearing unzipped hoodies without even putting their hoods up. If you’re doing this, beware of the spontaneous downpour and your imminent demise. Otherwise, bring an umbrella.

Thin, waterproof coats are better for the summer when the rain itself is actually warm.

Another thing one should know about is that along with extremely cold winters, springs and summers in Massachusetts can actually be viciously hot as well. While it’s still somewhat cool, one ought to consider procuring a fan for future use, or at least prepare to keep windows open at all

times in the next few weeks. I say this because very soon, we’re all going to start sweating a great deal, and letting all that waft about in a small, enclosed space like a dorm will be supremely unpleasant.

One might notice how it’s been extremely cold this past winter, but in the summer it’s the norm for the season to undergo heat waves that literally make it dangerous to stand outside.

There are days when the sun is so unbearably strong that simply going out without proper preparation will put you at the risk of getting heat stroke and passing out. I can recall news reports describing how some people just up and died from constant exposure to the sun a year or two back. If you’re the sort of person who likes to walk around without shoes, make sure to do it on a reasonably cool day, or

photo from internet source

else you’re going to get second-degree burns from the asphalt. Sunscreen is also recommended for those somewhat fatally sunny days.

And while we’re on the subject of feet, there’s another thing one should be wary of in the next few months.

There will be mosquitoes, and they will feed on you. While the bees have more or less disappeared over the past 10 years, the mosquito population is maintaining a strong population. If you’re from somewhere colder, you ought to expect random bumps to sprout up on your ankles and neck.

Those are the preferred places mosquitoes will bite you, and that’s where you’ll probably be applying the most mosquito ointment—or whatever you have. I personally recommend tea tree oil.

The weather here at Brandeis is about to do an about-face and basically be the opposite of what we’ve all gotten used to in the past few months.

Snow and bitter cold will be replaced by rain and smothering heat. It’ll be extremely uncomfortable here and there, but it’ll be incredibly beautiful too, sometimes. In the midst of all the vacillating rain, heat, sweat and bugs, there will be those leafy trees, nice breezes and tiny flowers all decorating the scenery, while a plethora of fresh smells will reemerge after lying dormant for two seasons. The sky also turns pink sometimes, but that and the rest of the pretty things that’ll be found alongside all the inconveniences characteristic of the spring and summer belong in a different article.

Just don’t get drenched or sunburned.

April 25, 2014

ARTS, ETC 15

The Brandeis Hoot

Networking issue for many students after graduation

HIRING, from page 12

without saying that cover letters are the worst invention in the history of mankind and that hell is actually just a desk in a small room at which one is required to write cover letters again and again. As is true with resumes, different people have different ideas of what makes a good cover letter. I have been taught by my

photo from internet source

dad to break it down into four big areas: “Introduction,” “Why I want this job,” “Why I’d be good at this job,” and “Conclusion.”

However, for all I know, employers that I have sent applications to could view cover letters differently. Some maybe want them to be more broad and others more narrow.

This problem can also be fixed

fairly easily. Employers should merely have a series of questions as “prompts” for cover letters listed on their website. For example, if an employer really wants to hire someone who is adept at using statistical analysis programs like Stata, they can have as a prompt, “Explain any experience with statistical analysis computer programs.” Thus,

employers will get a good look at the characteristics that matter to them without forcing candidates to guess what it important enough to include.

Most irritating perhaps, though, is the role that connections play in the job application process. People in Hiatt, my parents and my friends often tell me of the importance of connec-

tions. They are right to do so, as they simply want me to succeed and know that it’s simply the way the world works that people often get jobs through connections. However, it just seems to be fundamentally unfair and bad for firms, which hope to hire the best workers possible.

My dad has often said that connections won’t get you a job but will get someone to look at your resume, which often will not happen without a little advocacy. Although a candidate generally must be the best in the pool of interviewees to get a job, the pool is already unfair in the way that it is formed. There could be so many candidates who would be very good for a job whose resumes simply never get looked at. The obvious problem is this: there are too many resumes and not enough time or staff to look at them.

The answer is painfully obvious: Employers should look at every resume they get carefully.

They will need to limit the number of people who can apply.

Employers should have a cap. A firm can simply choose a ceiling for the number of applications they can receive, and then take the job down from listings once they’ve reached it. This will exclude people, and yet it will do it in a more fair way. People with connections may get a tip as to when a job posting will go up so that they can apply right away, but also captured in this system will be the very passionate people who have no connections but visit the business’s website everyday because they so deeply want a job there. In conclusion, I really want a job.

University didn’t do itself any favors in honorary degrees awarded CONTROVERSY, from page 12

a public statement—to say that such a decision had been made.” The administration offered no resolution or appeal. That’s severely unprofessional and impolite. It’d be like Brandeis telling me to leave because they found out I spoke at a school function through an op-ed opposing me and not consulting me to learn its veracity. This action is shameful and horrifically mannered of a well-respected university.

Brandeis’ actions show that the university values academic justice and double standards instead of academic freedom, just as it values closed decision-making and unprofessionalism.

In 2008, a professor used a racial slur to tell the history of said racial slur and criticized racists who used the slur. He got fired due to racial harassment in the name of “academic justice.” Yet we have had honorary degree recipients who have said more offensive things.

Tony Kushner has referred to God as a person who “splits the skin … [and] pulls and pulls till all your innards are yanked out!” He has called Catholic bishops “mitred, chasubles and coped Pilates” referring to the Governor who ordered Jesus’ death. Kushner claimed “The biggest supporters of Israel are the most repulsive members of the Jewish community.” Yet despite his anti-religious, anti-Catholic and antiIsrael statements, Brandeis University gave him an honorary degree in 2006.

Brandeis University honorary degree recipient in 1997, Whoopi Goldberg, defended Roman Polanski’s criminal accusations, claiming his actions

photo from internet source

were not rape, yet there is no action to revoke her honorary degree despite her ignorance toward sexual assault victims. Do these people personify Brandeisian values? We could have confirmed Brandeis’s commitment to academic diversity, but alas, academic justice has won the battle and the war.

Brandeis University’s silence and actions devalued our future degrees.

Despite all the factors and reasoning, this issue will mark the university for years to come. This controversy would be nonexistent if militant atheists who hated other religions were invited to speak, such as Richard Dawkins and

Stephen Fry. Despite their past antiCatholic statements, Brandeis University would most likely give them a degree, as they should. Brandeis University should tolerate and endorse as many types of people as possible to show their value of diversity and academic freedom. Justice Louis Brandeis

said, “Men feared witches and burnt women. It is the function of speech to free men from the bondage of irrational fears.” If by the end of this article you disagree with me, that is wonderful. He and I welcome it. Diversity of opinion is a true Brandeisian value, and let’s not forget that.

16 The Brandeis Hoot

THIS WEEK IN PHOTOS

April 25, 2014

Art appears across campus

photos by emily stott/the hoot

decorate Student art installations have appeared around Brandeis as the Bernstein Festival of the

Creative Arts begins this weekend.