The Brandeis Hoot August 20, 2021

Page 1

Volume 19 Issue 1

“To acquire wisdom, one must observe” www.brandeishoot.com

August 20, 2021

Brandeis University’s Community Newspaper · Waltham, Mass.

Brandeis to introduce pool testing By Emma Lichtenstein editor

This fall the university will be introducing “pooled testing” for the COVID-19 virus, as announced in the Student COVID-19 Training available on LATTE. This new type of testing will be in groups, or pools, of 10 students at a time as opposed to the twice a week individual testing system the university had previously established. Previously, students would complete the COVID-19 test through a nose swab, before turning it in to a testing center for analysis, according to a previous Brandeis Hoot article. This process has not changed in the new testing model. The difference, beginning later in the fall 2021 semester, is that instead of an individual’s swab being analyzed independently, it will be placed into a tube containing nine other swabs, according

By Victoria Morrongiello editor

The university announced the Interim Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, David M. Fryson, in an email sent by President Liebowitz. Fryson began in the position on July 12; his pre-

to the Student Training. These 10 samples will then be tested all at once. In the event that there is a positive case, all 10 students will need to report to the Health Center to take a rapid COVID test, so the university can determine which student in the “pool” tested positive. “It is important NOT to panic,” urges the Student Training. “Just because you get a call that there is a positive test in the pool does not mean it is you.” These secondary tests will provide results within 15 minutes, after which students who test negative will not be required to quarantine, according to the training module. These students, though, will also be provided with “an individual rtPCR test (nose swab) to be sent for testing overnight to confirm the instant test result.” See POOL TESTING, page 4 PHOTO FROM HOOT ARCHIVES

decessor Mark Brimhall-Vargas departed from the role on July 23. Fryson has practiced law for nearly 30 years in various legal settings and advocacy positions, according to the Diversity Equity and Inclusion page. He served as an attorney in many civil rights cases and other litigation cases. Fryson ran his own practice for many years, according

to the email sent by Liebowitz. Fryson was the first African American Chief Legal Official for two municipalities in West Virginia, according to the page. Before he became an attorney, Fryson worked on the Governor’s Economic Development staff for two West Virginia governors. In 2014, Fryson was recognized as a West Virginia Bar Fellow, ac-

cording to the West Virginia Bar Foundation’s page. This is awarded to layers whose professional and public careers show dedication to the welfare of their communities, according to the page. In 2015, Fryson earned the Certificate of Recognition from the West Virginia Governor’s Office and the WV Human Rights Commission, according to his page.

Fryson also received a national Role Model Administrator Award from Minority Access, Incorporated in Washington D.C. In 2016. During his career, Fryson also worked in higher education at West Virginia University (WVU) as Deputy General Counsel, according to the email. At WVU, See NAMES, page 2

Univ. issues updates to COVID-19 policies on campus By Victoria Morrongiello editor

PHOTO FROM HOOT ARCHIVES

Inside This Issue:

News: Dean invited to Biden Administration. Ops: Burger King enters chicken wars. Features: A scinece class in the kitchen. Sports: Fall sports return to Brandeis. Editorial: Hopes for this year.

Page 3 Page 11 Page 9 Page 5 Page 7

The university has announced new COVID-19 protocols for community members for the fall 2021 semester. New protocol includes more frequent testing appointments and no indoor distancing restrictions beyond the listed capacity of a given room, according to an email update sent to the community by Dan Kim, Senior Vice President, Communications, Marketing and External Relations. All students returning to campus for the fall 2021 semester will be required to submit a test

upon arrival, according to the COVID-19 policies page. Fully vaccinated students returning to campus who are asymptomatic and awaiting their test results from their on-campus test must limit the indoor gatherings they attend. They are permitted to enter dining halls to collect food, submit tests at testing sites and visit the Health Center for appointments. Vaccinated individuals may still engage in outdoor activities while awaiting their results if they remain masked at all times, according to the page. Unvaccinated individuals returning to campus must remain

brandeis guide

rose reopens

One of out editors compiled a comprehensive guide to Brandeis.

Read about the new exhibitions in the Rose Art Museum.

OPINIONS: PAGE 10

ARTS: PAGE 12

See UPDATES, page 4


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