The Brandeis Hoot - 11-21-08

VOL 5, NO. 12

NOVEMBER 21, 2008

B R A N D E I S U N I V E R S I T Y ' S C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R

THEHOOT.NET

Study abroad numbers remain steady in faltering economy

BY CHRISSY CALLAHAN Editor

PHOTO BY Jodi Elkin /The Hoot

THE STEIN: Waiters serve patrons at the Stein. Despite rumors, the campus restaurant will not close its doors.

Despite rumors, Stein to remain open

BY ALISON CHANNON Editor

Despite rumors, there are no plans to close the Stein this year, said Vice President of Campus Operations Mark Collins, whose department oversees Aramark.

Approximately 20 student employees would lose their jobs if the Stein were to shut its doors.

Rumors that the campus restaurant would close as early as this weekend began circulating among Stein employees earlier in the week after Stein employees

were summoned to an emergency meeting Monday.

According to one Stein employee, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of losing his job, “a lower manager of the Stein told student employees that [the emergency meeting] was specifically to fire everybody who works there, tell them the Stein is being shut down, and that the Stein could close as soon as next week.”

When the meeting was canceled, concerns among employees only increased.

Collins explained in an e-mail to The Hoot that the rumors concerning the Stein’s closing have “no validity.”

“The Stein is not closing this year,” he said.

Stein Restaurant Manager Michael Wiggins declined to comment on the situation.

The emergency meeting was then cancelled, the anonymous student said. He added that when he asked Food Service Director See STEIN p. 12

Study abroad rates for the coming spring semester are predicted to remain at a steady level in spite of a poor global economy, Assistant Dean of Academic Services and Director of Study Abroad Scott Van Der Meid said. Though it’s too early to predict the exact number of students studying abroad till January, Van Der Meid does not expect any significant decrease.

“I don’t see a great increase and I don’t really see a huge decrease due to the economy at this point,” he said.

Though a poor global economy hasn’t yet greatly influenced students’ decision to go abroad, more students are applying for scholarships before going abroad to help them fund their trips. This trend also speaks to the natural higher costs of living abroad, Van Der Meid said.

“We haven’t seen a lot of reduction based on the economy but we certainly have seen a lot more questions about budgeting and scholarships and making it all work,” he said.

Economic issues weren’t a factor for Laura Ennis ’10 who had her “heart set on going” to Paris, France. “I knew I needed to save money because the [E]uro is so much stronger than the dollar (or

was at the beginning of the semester) and [I] have been babysitting the whole semester and worked the whole summer,” Ennis wrote in an e-mail to The Hoot.

However, the recent economic downturn has caused Ennis to think more carefully about spending money while abroad.

“I wasn’t thinking about the economy as hindering me on going to France, but I have recognized that I have to be careful with my wallet while I am there,” she said.

The Office of Study Abroad has talked more with students about budgeting while abroad to help them address the question of “how do you live more economically in the city?” Van Der Meid said.

Such discussions target moneysaving techniques while abroad, ranging from visiting museums on free days, participating in more program excursions to save money, and planning to visit the theatre on days when tickets are cheaper.

The number of study abroad participants has increased in the past few years, Van Der Meid said.

Last year, over 40 percent of the junior class studied abroad during the academic year and many more went abroad during the summer for various programs.

The year before 35 percent of See STUDY ABROAD p. 13

Search and Seizure presentation switches focus to alcohol policy

BY ARIEL WITTENBERG Editor

The highly publicized Search and Seizure Forum, sponsored by the Brandeis Advocates and the Office of Student Rights and Advocacy (OSRA), veered off topic as students expressed more concerns about their rights concerning alcohol and marijuana consumption.

OSRA member and Class of 2011 Senator Lev Hirschorn, who helped coordinate the forum held Wednesday night, said that the forum organizers chose the subject because of students’ ignorance about it.

“When students see people in uniform, they think they should do whatever the officer says,” Hirschorn said. “We just want to ensure that everyone knows their rights.”

Director of Public Safety Ed Callahan said in an interview that he agreed that knowing one’s rights is important, saying that it’s “like anything else involving law enforcement.”

Callahan also said in an interview before the forum that in his 30 years working at the university, there have only been a handful of cases of search and seizure involving Brandies students and no search and seizure related complaints.

“It doesn’t really happen,” he said. “This forum was spawned more out of fear than a specific incident. Students shouldn’t be

INSIDE:

afraid of Public Safety.”

Callahan was one of six speakers at the forum on Wednesday. Other speakers included Associate Dean of Student Life Maggie Balch, and Seth Shapiro ’09 of the Advocates, along with various members of Waltham law enforcement.

While the conversation about student rights was minimal, Callahan urged students to consult their Rights and Responsibilities handbooks, saying that “it’s the bible of the university.”

While the forum began with short presentations about search and seizure on campus, the question and answer session quickly changed the subject to alcohol consumption.

One student questioned whether or not students who call Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps (BEMCO) for emergencies involving alcohol abuse would be punished by the university, saying that punishment for alcohol consumption would deter students from calling for the help that they need.

Balch replied that any student transported for reasons related to alcohol sees a dean in the Office of Student Life, adding that the measure is less to punish students than to educate them and ensure that they are acting responsibly.

See SEARCH p. 12

ONE TALL VOICE MANICURE FOR A CURE

PHOTO BY Dilenia Matta/The Hoot

A PEOPLE’S HISTORIAN: Howard Zinn implores audience members to change their views on war at a talk at Back Pages Books on Moody Street Tuesday evening

Zinn calls for an attitude shift

BY GINA GOTTHILF Staff

“The mindset that accepts war is a dangerous mindset in the world today,” Howard Zinn said Tuesday evening at an event hosted by Back Pages Books on Moody Street. In his third visit to Waltham in the last three years, the historian, social activist, playwright, and history professor spoke about the need to change our outlook on war.

PG 5

MELA PREVIEW

PG 6

STATE OF THE UNION

While a large percentage of Americans may be concerned with the need to end the war in Iraq, Zinn addressed the American mindset that “got us into Iraq in the first place.” According to Zinn, instead of focusing on short-term solutions, Americans must first change their perception of the government as an entity with interests similar to those of the people. Next, the no-

PG 9 PG 13

See ZINN p. 12

THIS WEEKEND

PG 16

COMICS

PG 16

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The Hoot

November 21, 2008

ED ITORIAL Established 2005 "To acquire wisdom, one must observe."

Sri Kuehnlenz Editor in Chief Kathleen Fischman Editor in Chief

Alison Channon News Editor Bret Matthew Impressions Editor Ben Sacks Features Editor Chrissy Callahan Features Editor Kayla Dos Santos Backpage Editor Alex Schneider Layout Editor Danielle Gewurz Copy Editor

Jamie Fleishman Advertising Editor Ariel Wittenberg Design Editor Max Shay Technology Officer Napoleon Lherisson Photography Editor Leon Markovitz Business Editor Vanessa Kerr Business Editor

Senior Editors Jordan Rothman, Zachary Aronow

FOUNDED By Leslie Pazan, Igor Pedan and Daniel Silverman

‘The Brandeis burden’

I

n his first State of the Union address Tuesday, Student Union President Jason Gray ’10 urged student clubs and organizations to incorporate a community service component into their activities. As students, we can sometimes forget to step outside the “Brandeis bubble” and engage with the larger community. Asking student leaders to encourage their clubs to reach out to Waltham is a noble goal. However, we must make sure that any resulting projects actually meet the needs of the Waltham community rather than simply paying lip service to Brandeis’ commitment to social justice.

Imposing our “expertise and help” on community members may come off as presumptuous. Instead of telling the Waltham community what they need, we should be working with them to see how we can help meet those needs. Clubs should seriously consider the needs of the community, rather than creating a project without proper consideration of its realistic benefits. If we fail to do so, we risk putting ourselves in a position of ill-assumed superiority. This would no doubt have the reverse effect of distancing us from the community by framing us as arrogant students taking on the weight of ‘the Brandeis Burden.’

Instead of flooding Waltham with students, it would be more tactful for Union leaders, like Gray, to meet with leaders within the Waltham community and see where Brandeis students may be able to contribute.

While it is admirable that Gray suggested a way in which we could increase the positive impact of our clubs and organizations, he has not said much in the way of how this plan will be implemented. Any student who has experience working within Waltham, knows that this commitment is much more difficult than the idealistic vision of community service that some may have. We need adequate resources to cover everything from supplies to transportation.

Making a positive impact requires more than just vision—it requires a realistic view of what we offer and the resources necessary to make it happen. If we are to ensure that our bastion of people and resources is used effectively, we need to acknowledge that the Waltham community is the best judge of their priorities and treat them as such.

SUBMISSION POLICIES The Hoot welcomes letters to the editor on subjects that are of interest to the general community. Preference is given to current or former community members.

The Hoot reserves the right to edit any submissions for libel, grammar, punctuation, spelling and clarity. The Hoot is under no obligation to print any of the pieces submitted. Letters in print will also appear on-line at www.thehoot.net.

The deadline for submitting letters is Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. All letters must be submitted electronically to editor@ thehoot.net. All letters must be from a

valid email address and include contact information for the author. Letters of length greater than 500 words may not be accepted.

The opinions, columns, cartoons and advertisements printed in The Hoot do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial board.

The Hoot is a community student newspaper of Brandeis University. Produced entirely by students, The Hoot serves a readership of 6,000 with in-depth news, relevant commentary, sports and coverage of cultural events. Our mission is to give every community member a voice.

E-mail: editor@thehoot.net

Letters to the Editor: To the Editor: Matt Kipnis, like most media hooting at the masses, picks on a few bad ballot initiatives [in the Nov. 14 article “Considering ballot intiatives.”

Ballot initiatives are the origin of most reforms, such as women’s suffrage (passed in 13 states before Congress went along), direct election of Senators (4 states), publicly financed elections (passed by initiative in 6 of 7 states with them), medical marijuana ( in 9 of 13 states) and increasing minimum wages (in all 6 states that tried in 2006).

See http://Vote.org/initiatives for more examples and references. Or the National Conference of State Legislatures complete database of ballot measures: http://www.ncsl.org/programs/ legismgt/elect/dbintro.htm Politicians have done FAR more to tyrannize minorities than ballot initiatives: Legislators criminalized sodomy & oral sex, not to mention miscegenation.

To the Editor: [Reviewed in the Nov. 14 article, “Shakespeare tragedy comes to Brandeis stage,” King Lear should be admired for its interpretation of the Book of Job, equipped with Jobbian characters, some restored (Kent, Edgar) and some not (Lear, Cordelia).

Politicians put Japanese-Americans in concentration camps during WWII. Congress persecuted Communists and friends during the McCarthy era. They still fill the jails with pot smokers, even those in the 13 states with legal medical marijuana -9 got MM by ballot initiative.

Look in your own backyard: Massachusetts just made marijuana possession a misdemeanor, and rejected killing the income tax.

Solutions to initiative problems have been generally agreed on and available for many decades.

But legislators NEVER improve the process, only make it harder (not affecting the wealthy much) and hobbling it in various ways (this year trying AZ Prop. 105 and CO Ref. O, both wisely defeated by voters).

Voters on ballot initiatives need what legislators get: public hearings, expert testimony, amendments, reports, etc. The best project for such deliberative process is the National Ini-

tiative for Democracy, led by former Sen. Mike Gravel: http:// Vote.org. Also http://healthydemocracyoregon.org/ and http:// cirwa.org In Switzerland, petitions are left at government offices and stores for people to read and sign at leisure, so there are less aggressive petitioners, more informed signers, and less $ required. The Swiss vote on initiatives 3-7 times a year so there’s never too many on one ballot.

Because they have real power, the Swiss read more newspapers/ capita than anyone else.

In Switzerland, representatives are humbler and more representative after centuries of local and cantonal (state) ballot initiatives, and national initiatives since 1891. They call their system “codetermination.” This works for all relationships!

One allusion to Job is the line: “Like wanton boys are we to the gods, they kill us for their sport,” which alludes to the “sport” between God and Satan in Job. Apparently that has gone above the head of critic Sam Negin.

Note also that Cordelia dies young, fulfilling the thrust of the Commandment in the Bible

to honor father (and mother), which Cordelia does not, setting in motion the dire events and her not reaping the reward of lengthened days for such honoring of parents.

- Evan Ravitz Founder, Vote.org

-David Basch

Has your semester been meaningless?

Want to write for a newspaper?

Come write for The Hoot Brandeis University’s Community Newspaper!

E-mail achannon@brandeis.edu

November 21, 2008

The Hoot

3

IMPRES S IONS Hiatt Career Corner

Book of Matthew

Don't shy away from networking: You already know how!

Leave the unions alone, blame the auto makers!

BY ANDREA DINE Special to The Hoot

One of the most important, lifelong career development skills you can master is networking.

Simply put, networking is the process of gathering information from others to help you expand your knowledge and make better decisions. You network all of the time. It is how you learn about social events, student organizations, and classes. It is how you decide which party to go to over the weekend. So why is it when I suggest “professional” or “career” networking to students they look aghast? “I don’t want to bother anyone,” or “Why would someone I don’t know help me?” students will argue. Let’s look at this another way…

When you started at Brandeis as a first-year or transfer student, how much did you actually know about Brandeis? Did you know where all the buildings were, what classes to take, or more importantly where to get the best coffee? Did you know where the best study spots were, how to decide between the hundreds of events on campus any given week, or where to do laundry?

I would imagine that you’ve answered “no” to at least one of these questions.

You learned the answers by speaking with others. Orientation leaders, C.A.’s, Roosevelt Fellows, Hiatt Advisors, team captains and other upper class students have been ready and willing to help you along the way, providing advice and guidance through a process that they previously experienced. Perhaps now you aspire to, or hold, a student leadership position on campus, ready to do the same. Professional networking is no different.

Professionals in any field have received advice and mentorship from those with more experience, and have every expectation that

they will continue the cycle by assisting those with less experience.

Brandeis alumni are professionals with whom you have something in common and are an excellent source of information. The Brandeis Alumni network is available online through LinkedIn. To access this group, you must review the “Professional Networking with Alumni” PowerPoint (available at http://www.brandeis.edu/ hiatt/students/careertoolbox/ networking), meet with a career counselor and turn-in a signed Alumni Networking Contract.

The top 10 steps to start building your network: 1. Reflect on your values, skills and interests and identifying what you wish to accomplish by networking 2. Learn how to network 3. Find contacts (i.e., alumni, supervisors, faculty, co-workers, coaches and acquaintances) 4. Reach-out to contacts via phone, email or LinkedIn 5. Prepare for your conversation including researching the field, organization and alum 6. Communicate clearly and asking thoughtful questions during the conversation 7. Take notes during your conversation 8. Send a thank you note 9. Track your networking activities 10. Keep your contacts informed about your process and following up with them While you may call it by another name, you have most likely already begun networking. Each connection you make has the potential to help you narrow in on your interests, figure out how to best achieve your goals, and build relationships with people who can guide you.

Editor's Note: Andrea Dine is the Associate Director of the Hiatt Career Center.

BY BRET MATTHEW Editor

It’s a fact. Anytime the “Big Three” automakers (Ford, GM, and Chrysler) have problems, someone always tries to blame it on unionized labor.

For example, recently I was skimming through the blog Think Progress, as I do from time to time, and I came across some quotes by Republican leaders regarding the possibility of a federal bailout of the auto industry. They are not, as you may have guessed, happy about it.

According to Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), “Some auto manufacturers are struggling because of a bad business structure with high unionized labor costs and burdensome federal regulations. Taxpayers did not create these problems and they should not be forced to pay for them.”

Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), the current Senate Minority Whip, echoes this position, claiming, “For years they’ve [Automakers] been sick.

They have a bad business model.

They have contracts negotiated with the United Auto Workers that impose huge costs. The average hourly cost per worker in this country is about $28.48. For these auto makers, it’s $73. And for the Japanese auto companies working here in the United States, it’s $48.”

I must say, it is disappointing to hear such unfair and misleading arguments coming from United States Senators. Allow me to clarify.

For starters, unions do not hurt businesses; in fact, they are often beneficial. The Harbour Report, a well-respected annual study of

manufacturing efficiency, recently demonstrated this by comparing the unionized plants of the Big Three to the non-union plants of Toyota. The Report found that in almost all categories the unionized workers were more efficient.

Moreover, the $73 per hour figure touted by Senat o r Kyl is highly i n flate d .

Sure, if one were to total all of GM’s labor, health, and pension costs–including money spent on retired workers–and then by divide this number by the total number of hours worked, the answer would be about $73 per hour. But this number has nothing to do with how much money autoworkers are making per hour. The actual average wage for autoworkers is about $28 per hour, which is on par with the average wage for all workers in the US. Finally, it seems that both Senators, along with many of their colleagues, have forgotten that the UAW has made many concessions to automakers as of late in order to help them stay afloat. These include allowing the companies to pay new hires lower base wages and offer then smaller benefit packages.

I think it’s reasonably fair to argue that if anyone is working to save the Big Three, it is the UAW.

These workers want to keep their jobs, after all. The fault of this crisis lies solely on the corporate management of the Big Three, who spent the last two decades making terrible business decisions.

They were the ones who insisted on focusing almost entirely on the production and sale of large SUV’s during the 1990’s and early 2000’s, back when gas prices were lower. It really should not be surprising that, now that gas prices are so much higher, the Big Three is losing sales to foreign companies who offer more fuel-efficient models.

Even worse, the Big Three is losing the advertising war against foreign competitors. Toyota has spent the last few years advertising the quality and reliability of its cars, while GM, Ford, and Chrysler–all of whom make cars that have been independently rated to be just as reliable as foreign models–have let it get away with this. Ford in particular put considerable focus on the “stylish” nature of its cars. Now, I don’t know about you, but if I were a US consumer with a certain amount of money and a need for a new car, I would buy the one that I thought would last me the longest, not the one that I thought would look the best.

I must urge you, readers, not to jump on the anti-union bandwagon. It would be a disaster, for both organized labor and employers, if conservative Republicans are allowed to scare Congress and the Americans people into authorizing punishment for the UAW, which has done nothing to deserve it.

I think it’s reasonably fair to argue that if anyone is working to save the Big Three, it is the UAW.

Jordan Rothman may hate college kids... but he LOVES people who write for The Hoot Impressions!

E-Mail bmatthew@brandeis.edu with your op-ed!

Jordan will love you!!

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November 21, 2008

IMPRESSIONS

The Hoot

The Naomi Narrative

Shopping for Truth

Making mountains out of molehills

BY NAOMI BARTH Columnist

“My eyes are up here.” How many girls out there haven’t had a time when they needed to say that? Guys’ eyes just migrate southward, focusing on that intriguing area between your neck and your belly button. Some flesh, some deposit of fat tissue.

Your two headlights ready to be turned on, posing a threat to your sweater.

Aren’t they mine? When did I enter them into the realm of public discourse, fair game for being stared at? Maybe its when I trade a sweatshirt for a fitted but not too tight sweater. Maybe its when I go to the gym, where regardless of what I’m wearing I can see a guy’s head bouncing up in down echoing my rhythm as a jog on the treadmill. It’s a wonder he doesn’t break his neck.

Maybe it’s when I go to office hours, and feel like my breasts are greeted before I am. Within seconds of entering the office, I reach for my cardigan, hiding behind an extra layer of cotton. I come here armed with my ideas for the paper, not armed with two bazookas, I want to scream. There are women in academia. Get used to it. Save your gaping and fantasizing for after 5 p.m.

Maybe its when the construction workers violate me with their eyes as I walk by. Feeling progressively more and more dirty as I walk under their perverted gaze, I hasten past at a quicker speed.

Their smirking and catcalls echo in my ears and the glint in their eyes makes me shudder.

O r maybe it’s simply our fault. We k n o w the powers of our bodies. Or at least we should. If you’re having a crappy day, who wouldn’t unbutton a button or two for a little more attention? Extra foam on your latte?

An upgrade to first class? These are tricks that every girl knows about, even if they refuse to play the game.

When I was in high school, my friend offered to flash the water park attendant, in exchange for him letting us go on the closed ride.

He was tempted by Raquel’s larger than average knick-knacks, but ultimately had to turn her down.

Even though he won that small battle, it was clear who won the war. The power was hers all along, I soon realized, as I watched him ogle Raquel as she strutted away

in her itsy bitsy bikini.

If a girl–or rather woman because we should start calling ourselves that at this point–is dressing up to go somewhere where she’ll feel socially ill at ease, she’ll bring out the slut. Or at least as slutty as she can get and still walk out the door with a modicum of self respect. I say slutty with a grain of salt, but think higher hemline, lower neckline, a smaller size.

These are all small tools women use to assert thems e lve s , both to the outside world and internally to themselves.

And why not? We’re competing after all, more often than not with each other. The female to male ratio at colleges is nearing 60-40.

Some universities are implementing a gender-based affirmative action type system. This means qualified female prospective college students are being rejected in favor of their equally or less qualified male counterparts. Isn’t this a sexist policy? Intellectually driven women are forced to compete for fewer spots.

And romantically? With such a gender-skewed campus it’s hard for us Brandeisian women to find dates. This uphill battle continues in the real world, with more men in prison and the army, and marked by a shorter life e x p e c t a n c y.

Men just die earlier.

The dating scene at a nursing home must be amazing, with Max getting all geriatric Gladys, Sadies, and Berthas he could every dream of.

Honestly, most of the environments in which I find myself are homo-social. In this warm, tight knit, estrogen fest of a social scene, it’s hard to meet new guys. The male friends I do have are solid and good decent guys, but I will always sequester them to the “friends zone.”

A guy could get so much ass, especially at a place like Brandeis.

The catch is he would need at least one functioning ball with which to pursue it. But that’s the story for another column.

It’s hard being a woman. Can we take just a minute and recognize that? Hard to gain an academic and eventual professional foothold, hard to garner respect, hard to find a date. And even when we

do find a date, there’s pressure to snag a doctor or lawyer, and get our MRS and a big gaudy diamond as fast as we can.

All around, it’s a hard knock life.

With all the implicit setbacks and pressures of being female, should we just use our God given fun bags to our benefit? Capitalize on what we got, should we flaunt them to climb the career or social ladder?

A friend of mine invites comment and unnecessary attention to that area.

When asked by a professor to pronounce her ethnic sounding name, she would say, “it’s Ariella. You can pronounce it any way, just don’t call me areola.”

Referencing the female physiology, she immediately sexualized the introduction, even throwing issues of sexual harassment into the mix.

Granted she was just trying to be personable and make a joke.

But is asserting ourselves overtly sexually the way to do it? But if we don’t assert ourselves in such a boobalicious manner are we denying our sexuality in order to be taken more seriously?

An evolutionary theorist would say your milkshakes have one purpose, to provide yapping baby Gracie with her lunch. That’s ostensibly what a Palinite or religious right-winger would say too.

But until we have our babies in our mid to late 20s, our boobs are just supposed to hang there? Like the sun, you can’t look directly at them for too long, and you sure as hell can’t touch them.

I’m no Women and Gender Studies Major, and would characterize myself as a moderate, in this sea of blue state enthusiasts. But would de-sexualizing ourselves get us anywhere? Or would it toss back decades worth of progress?

Let’s enjoy the progress that women have made in the past century. We can vote, we’re present in practically every career field, and that hard glass ceiling has millions of cracks in it.

Maybe we need to find the right balance. I think we can do without the gratuitous shirts that say, “Not everything in Kansas is flat,” and “Yes, they’re real.”

But you can still get dressed up, shake what yo mama gave you.

Enjoy flaunting it at a club and even playing up your inner skank.

You’re blowing off some steam and using your badonkadonk to get some attention, a free drink.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Use your cha-chas, just be mindful of the implications.

With such a genderskewed campus it’s hard for us Brandeisian women to find dates.

It’s hard being a woman. Can we take just a minute and recognize that?

The Hoot accepts submissions to the Impressions section on any topic of consequence to any member of the campus community. Our mission is to give every community member a voice.

The views expressed in the Impressions section do not necessarily reflect the views of The Hoot's editorial board.

ILLUSTRATION BY Alex Doucette/The Hoot

Oops... I'm sorry

BY CHRISSY CALLAHAN Editor

I am imperfect. I make mistakes.

I sometimes unintentionally hurt people’s feelings. I’m sorry.

You are imperfect. You probably screw up every once in a while.

And I’m sure some of you have unintentionally hurt my feelings before. But the real question is: are you sorry?

Or maybe the better question is, do I think you’re sorry? Will I make you say it to believe it? Will either of us say those two words that are seemingly two of the most difficult in the English language to utter?

Just like the three word phrase “I love you,” it’s undeniably somewhat ironic that we find the utterance of two simple words to be unbearable yet we can easily utter words such as "I hate you" or "who cares?"

These two and three word barriers inherently involve an unwillingness to be vulnerable in the face of other human beings. It’s hard to admit you’ve made a mistake and it’s hard to express certain emotions. But what if it wasn’t so hard? What if you didn’t need to say “I’m sorry” anymore?

The other day when logging into my Gmail account, I was greeted by the usual oh so conveniently placed link right in the center of the page.

By the way, if Google’s intention is for its email users to click on these links, they’re probably doing a pretty good job if I took the two seconds to click on the link to the advertised website “Oops… ..I’m Sorry.” “Oops…..I’m Sorry” describes itself as an “interactive web site that offers people Options, Opportunities, Possibilities and Solutions (OOPS), to deal with the "OOPS" that happen in life.”

Members of “Oops….I’m Sor-

ry” are able to both post apologies to people they’ve wronged, demand apologies from those who’ve wronged them or post confessions on the site.

If this website actually exists, and believe me it does, it would seem we’ve finally reached that point in our digital existence where we no longer need the human language to communicate regret. Who needs to talk or communicate your remorse in person or even via phone when you have an anonymous online forum to do so?

Sure this website is anonymous so it’s not as potentially embarrassing as accusing someone of committing some heinous act in a public forum.

But if harboring unexpressed feelings is said to be unhealthy, isn’t expressing them anonymously also? If you can’t own up to your own mistake or feelings of anger in real life, how is it healthier to attack people online? Sure it’s easier, but it’s not braver.

Maybe this ‘community’ does offer people a chance to release their frustration, guilt or shame. Maybe we all need a shoulder to cry on or a friendly ear to listen and all that jazz. But can an online community really provide this? It’s the age old debate: “Are online communities replacing our own families?” And it’s never been more relevant than our current time of Facebook frenzy and twitter. Let’s just hope this website doesn’t catch on like Facebook has.

I hold grudges. Maybe I’ll tell you I’m mad at you. Maybe I won’t. Maybe it’s healthier to tell you I am. Maybe it’d be easier to send you an email or an “Oops…

I’m Sorry” message.

Or maybe I’d rather just sit here and be blissfully blunt in my offline community.

I am imperfect. I make mistakes. I sometimes unintentionally hurt people’s feelings. I’m sorry.

November 21, 2008

IMPRESSIONS

One Tall Voice

Oh man!

I hate college kids!

The Hoot

Hey! You! Are your Thursday nights boring?

Would you like to hear people yell about politics?

PHOTO BY Max Shay/The Hoot

COLLEGE CLUBS: The Russian club members lounge during their weekly meeting Thursday night in the SCC.

BY JORDAN ROTHMAN Editor

I don’t really like college kids that much.

College is supposed to be a time for us to grow academically, a time for us to expand our intellects and learn through the educational enterprise. Here we are introduced to great works, given wonderful instruction and provided many opportunities to learn valuable academic lessons. Still, my colleagues seem more concerned with getting drunk or getting laid than with doing their assignments, and seem to cut corners at every av a i l a b l e opportunity. Furthermore, college kids are real parasites. Many don’t contribute anything and don’t add one iota to our community. Many suckle at the teat of their parent’s funds or scholarships, as many do nothing independently for themselves. I guess I am just really full of bitterness and rage against my colleagues. I’d like to use this article as a medium to express my sentiments and convey my hatred of many characteristics about certain college-aged peers.

It seems to me, more and more, that college has not become a source of intellectual advancement, but has rather emerged as a time for people entering adult life to participate in all kinds of debauchery.

People talk more about whether a college is a “party school” rather than the award-winning professors that the institution may have.

Many individuals skip classes, pull all-nighters and detract from their educational experience in order to drink, get high, or pursue sexual activity. And what’s crazy is that at Brandeis, this phe-

nomenon is not as bad as it is at other universities. Oftentimes people stay in on weekend nights or make other sacrifices for their studies. Still, I look down upon many of my colleagues who seem to think they are spending more than the average person makes in a year to drink and pursue superficial pleasures. This is truly a shortsighted life.

Furthermore, I hate how college kids are real parasites. Many have parents that provide them all kinds of things from fancy computers to expensive iPhones.

They go on expensive trips, receive all kinds of gifts and what have they done to deserve it? Nothing. Many of my peers don’t work and don’t add to the community.

They try to fill in this gap with pathetic attempts at activism and other efforts, but if “camp Darfur” and silent protests are a testament, these efforts are futile and superficial indeed. I hate how so many just vegetate and don’t think twice about accepting all manner of gifts and money. I hate the parasitic nature of college kids. Maybe it's because I have had to buy and earn everything I currently have, but nevertheless, I dislike the dependence of many university students.

Furthermore, I hate how college kids don’t seem that concerned with genuine intellectual advancement. It seems that I am the only person who completes my readings, as my peers would rather use Spark Notes or other forms of abridgement than immerse themselves in great texts. Many people skip classes or discussion sections out of shear laziness or thoughtlessness the evening before. This

I guess I am just bitter and angry toward most college kids.

not only wastes the hard-earned money that has been spent to pay for college, but shows a genuine lack of respect for the information being conveyed. I am also extremely disappointed to report that I have even heard that many students cheat on exams and papers.

This is despicable, as it shows a lack of respect for the educational enterprise and the individual themselves. If you want to cut corners, why are you here? If you want to take the easy way out, why would you attend college in the first place? Get the most of your education, intellectual advancement is almost entirely an individualistic enterprise. If you don’t personally take the initiative, and complete all assignments, you are wasting money and, more valuably, your time.

I guess I am just bitter and angry toward most college kids. I see a bunch of privileged people prancing around, many of whom did not have to work for the position and advantages they now enjoy. I know there are those like me who have had to work hard for everything we have attained, but to see others with so much, not contributing one iota toward achieving their advantages makes me sick.

Many are not concerned with intellectual advancement, but would rather spend the college years focusing on hedonistic pleasures and superficial enjoyments.

Furthermore, numerous college kids are parasites, and their futile efforts to prove otherwise are truly ridiculous.

Also, many cut corners and waste the money that their parents have spent to send them to this wonderful institution. My dear reader, you may have worked toward everything you attain and genuinely love to achieve educational growth. But if you’re like most of my peers, get off your ass, get in the classroom and focus on what you should be going to college for in the first place: to attain a great education.

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Or even review plays?

Then The Hoot audio is the place for you!

Go to www.thehoot.net and start listening!

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5

6 The Hoot

FEATURES

November 21, 2008

Lending a charitable hand Brandeis students get pampered while raising awareness

BY CHRISSY CALLAHAN Editor

If Michael Jordan could enjoy a good pampering manicure, why shouldn’t a member of Brandeis’ male population do the same? Who knows, it could just be the reason he dunked so many hoops, right?

When Jacob Agi ’12 first heard that Brandeis would be offering manicures for $12, he said “A manicure? No way. I’m a guy, I’m not getting a manicure.”

After a little bit of thought, and memories of a biography of Michael Jordan he’d read, Agi changed his tune.

“And then I thought about it and I [said], ‘why not?’ It’s a fun thing to do; it’s going towards a good cause. I’ll get a manicure, the ladies will like it.”

Agi was just one of 160 Brandeis students who took part in Manicure for a Cure Thursday. Hosted by the Brandeis Orthodox Organization (BOO), the event was “a cool different way to get people excited about charity work and breast cancer research in general,” event coordinator and BOO member Ellie Klausner ’09 said.

Manicurists from the Paul Mitchell School donated their time to give manicures between 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and all proceeds from manicures will go straight to the two charities BOO chose: the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Sharsheret.

Last year BOO hosted a hair donation event to create wigs for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

A rainbow of pamphlets and handouts detailing breast health spread across a table greeting participants as they entered the International Lounge in Usdan.

Pink was the color scheme of the day as participants signed in for their appointments and were able to purchase gift bags filled with OPI nail polish products and Sharsheret paraphernalia.

For those indulging in the pampering of the day, giftbags cost $3 and for others $5.

Brandeis is just one of several colleges nationwide using the manicure for a cure method. The University of Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland have all hosted the event and Princeton University hosts it annually.

Within the first 12 hours of sign-ups, all 120 manicure appointments filled up.

Wanting as many members of the Brandeis community to be aware of the event as possible, BOO opened up more spots in the weeks following the initial sign-up date.

At the event, Simmons College professor and lymphoma and breast cancer survivor LaShaune Johnson spoke about breast cancer early detection strategies at half hour intervals before each appointment.

Her presence helped emphasize the relevance of breast cancer to college students, as many sometimes see it as only a problem for older women. Klausner said: “We wanted it to be a fun event but we also wanted it to sort of have an educational component [to help] people to realize why they’re doing this and where their money’s going.”

Johnson finds it important for young people to be aware of their own risk for breast cancer.

“It’s definitely not something to be scared of but I think it’s a good way to get people thinking in the back of their head. My goal is that they’ll go home to their family and maybe talk about their family history and make sure their mom’s getting a mammogram,” she said.

“On their hands they have the most pow-

PHOTOS BY Max Shay/The Hoot

MANICURE FOR A CURE: TOP: Samantha Lenard ‘10, decides on a nail polish color during Manicure for a Cure on Tuesday. BOTTOM-RIGHT: Hosted by the Brandeis Orthodox Organization (BOO), Simmons College professor and breast cancer survivor LaShaune Johnson speaks to students about the importance of early breast cancer detection strategies. BOTTOM-LEFT: Jennifer Rawson ‘10, receives a manicure from a Paul Mitchell School Manicurist.

erful tool to detect for breast cancer just by doing the self exam,” Johnson said referencing the very hands participants were having pampered.

For Lara Rosenwasser ’09, the event was both a convenient way to beautify her hands for a weekend family function and also a connection to her own job.

As a part of her job, Rosenwasser, who works at a clinic in Waltham, makes appointments for women to get mammograms.

Not only was the concept of the event

reminiscent of her work, but so was the décor. “My whole office is decorated in pink like it is here today,” she said.

Jen Rawson ’10 described the concept of the event and similar charity events as a “give and take where you need to give to someone to kind of grab their attention.

And I think the aspect of a manicure is a way to grab people’s attention in order to make them realize what exactly it’s for and the reasons behind the event.”

Like many woman, Rawson was excited about the pampering aspect of the event.

“It’s a great way to help someone while also enjoying yourself,” she said.

Using manicures as the catalyst for awareness worked well with the female participants, Rawson said: “Although breast cancer does affects men also it mainly affects women and a manicure is a great way [to raise awareness] because men do get manicures, but it’s mostly women. So it’s kind of a great connection between the two because you’re able to really target the population that really needs to know about this and is able to help the cause.”

November 21, 2008

The Hoot 7

F E AT U R E S

It's all Greek to me!

Dead languages still have importance in the modern world

BY NAOMI BARTH Staff

For some people, foreign language meant the requisite Spanish or French begrudgingly taken in high school: hola and Bonjour, adios and au revoir. Special occasions are marked by tortillas and crepes courtesy of the kindly profesora or professeur.

Yet for others, language means a journey to the past, to the days where Homer orated in Athens or to the land of Mesopotamia, the site of the world’s earliest civilization.

Ancient Greek and Akkadian are referred to as dead languages; languages that are no longer spoken. Dead languages offer a lens into vanished civilizations and can literally be the voice of the ancient world. Historical and religious texts from the era illuminate the ancient world and are still studied until this day.

There’s no doubt that these languages are obscure and archaic.

So what would motivate a student living in the 21st century to study ancient Greek or Akkadian? The impetus varies, attesting to the fact that they are truly interdisciplinary fields. Ancient languages appeal to students of history, classical studies, linguistics, literature biblical studies and the Near East.

First and foremost, the study of a language provides a lens into its speakers.

“I’m studying Greek so I can really understand the original text and to get a grip on ancient Greek culture in general,” Lee Marmor ’10, an Undergraduate Department Representative (UDR) for Classical Studies, explained. “You have to know the language to understand a people and their history.”

Implicit in this statement is the fact that a text is not the same in translation. To really understand the nuances and subtleties of Homer or Euripides, it must be read in the original language, explains Marmor.

Increased access to materials and texts is another benefit of studying ancient languages.

“It is particularly useful that I know the languages,” Cheryl Walker, associate professor in the Classical Studies Department explains. “A lot of the stuff doesn’t get translated; for instance, inscriptional material.”

Walker, who teaches both Latin and ancient Greek, can easily find Levi or Herodotus in English translation. However, more obscure works are found only in the original.

Another such language of a “vanished civilization” is Akkadian, an ancient Semitic language important to the study of the entire ancient Near East. Akkadian texts have been found in Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, the Palestinian regions and Iran.

“Akkadian is the language of ancient Iraq and is one of the third oldest languages in the world, after Sumerian and Egyptian,” explained Kynthia Taylor, Lecturer of Akkadian, in an email. “It’s the language of a fascinating magical culture, the cultural cousins of the ancient Israelite.”

The language is linguistically related to ancient Hebrew, and so proves helpful in study of the Old Testament and the Biblical Era, explains Taylor. Parallels exist between biblical and Akkadian peoples and events, including an Akkadian flood story and an Akkadian Job. “Akkadian literature forms an important part of the backdrop to the Bible's composition,” Taylor said.

Although the study of ancient languages is arguably complex and fascinating, it is not a popular pursuit for students at Brandeis.

Currently, there are only four students enrolled in Elementary Akkadian and one student enrolled in Cheryl Walker’s section of Continuing Ancient Greek.

Walker’s primary interests are historical and she is disturbed by the ignorance of history that this creates in the long run.

“The obstacle is people look at Latin and Greek and say ‘Of what possible value can this be?’” said Walker, who in addition to being an associate professor, is the Undergraduate Advising Head of the Classical Studies Department.

“I think Akkadian's primary value lies in knowledge for its own sake,” Taylor explains. “Even when it has no immediate practical application, knowledge enriches our view of what it means to be human and adds dimensions to our view of ourselves and our own civilizations in the very broad tableau of human history.”

Ancient Greek is foundational not only to history, but to other disciplines as well.

Philosophy, the institution of democracy, and the arts all have their origins in Greek. Having an interest in antiquity also proves helpful in understanding the basis of human life and creative thought.

Many words in English come from ancient Greek. And like Latin, it helps to increase vocabulary and verbal proficiency. Walker

PHOTO BY Ariel Wittenberg /The Hoot

DEAD LANGUAGE: Brandeis students study “dead languages” so they can better understand ancient texts.

speculates that students of ancient languages have higher verbal GRE scores than the national norm and even the Brandeis norm, because of the vocabulary exercises and training they have received.

Studying Latin and ancient Greek also teaches meticulous attention to detail, due to the way in which they are written. The inflected language means every accent mark can be important, and a command of your breathing is crucial. Logical thinking is also developed.

“The most difficult aspect of mastering Akkadian is by far the script,” explains Taylor.

The script uses cuneiform, wedge-shaped symbols, each of which can be reading multiple depending on the context.”

Some Brandeis students recognize the lofty goals of studying ancient languages, as well as its

practical implications. The challenge of deciphering such a language can develop certain skills, while simultaneously providing a challenge for the student.

Lindsay Boesel ‘09 is a language and linguistics major who was intrigued by the fact that Akkadian was in Cuneiform. She decided to sign up for the course because she thought it would be fun.

“I’ve always liked languages, which is obvious from my major. But I like the idea of codes and other alphabets and writing systems,” explains Boesel. “I like puzzles with decoding and logic.”

In cuneiform written form, a symbol can be used flexibly to indicate either a sound or a whole word. Figuring out what is meant by a symbol can be confusing, if it is not your native language.

“From linguistics I know that anyone taking a foreign language

in college is past the stage Where they can easily become fluent,” explains Boesel. “Anyone taking a language at this point is fighting an uphill battle. That just adds to the challenge.”

Whether students of ancient Greek and Akkadian become language professors, historians, lawyers or any myriad of other professions, the skills they have attained in studying avanished language will prove useful. Not to mention that they have a newfound understanding of their own culture, based on original sources.

“People have used Latin and Greek as a basis of liberal arts education for approximately 2000 years, so I think it has staying power,” explains Walker. “Frankly I think there’s something cool about knowing you’re in a long tradition like that.”

Write for Features Contact chriscal@brandeis.edu or bensacks@brandeis.edu

12

November 21, 2008

The Hoot

N E W S Howard Zinn says views on war needs to change ZINN (from p. 1)

tion that war is necessary to solve problems must be eradicated. Finally, Zinn advocated a reform of the average history class syllabus as a means to better educate Americans about historical trends and different possibilities available for solving national and international conflict.

“Since when is patriotism equal to obedience to the government?” he asked. Zinn explained how the notion of patriotism has been distorted over time, and now represents more than one’s love for his or her country. People assume that the government represents the interests of the people, “but this has not been a country of common interests from the very beginning,” he said.

Currently, the need to appear patriotic and support one’s government has been turned into a requirement to endorse American wars. Even President-elect Barack Obama has been subject to this dangerous paradigm, according to Zinn, based on his views on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. “Is Obama worried about being unpatriotic? I think so,” Zinn said.

He said that our perception of war is also problematic, even for those generally against it. Though we tend to believe that war may be necessary to solve problems, it is nothing but a quick fix, according to Zinn. “That is what makes it so appealing,” he added. Zinn also criticized the prevailing notion that “if you don’t use militarism, you’re weak. If you don’t counter terrorism with war, it shows a lack of spine.” Moreover, he finds it difficult to understand the rationale behind distinguishing good wars from bad wars. “Has Obama repudiated these elements from his own mindset? No, and it worries me,” he concluded.

Despite his avid objection to all wars, Zinn himself was “an enthusiastic bombardier” in World War II. He explained that he had time to re-think his view of war after that experience, but conceded that it is difficult to address certain issues such as the need to combat fascism, without force.

Similarly, Zinn had no clear response for a question raised by an audience member concerning how Americans can help women denied education by their governments without the use of forceful intervention.

Zinn claimed, subsequently, that he is not a total pacifist despite his avid support of anti-war movements. “The idea of being an absolutist in anything doesn’t strike a chord with me,” he said.

Brandeis students who attended the event were generally pleased with the discussion that took place. “It was fantastic,” said Nathan Robinson ’11. Unlike many other analysts, Robinson said that by reading Zinn’s books or listening to him, “we can figure

STEIN (from p. 1)

PHOTO BY Delenia E. Matta/The Hoot

out where we are, where we’ve been, and how we got here.”

Recalling Zinn’s address at Levin Ballroom two years ago, attended by 500 people, many were pleasantly surprised by the intimacy of the small room in the back of Back Pages, owned by Alex Green ’04.

Though most audience members seemed to enjoy the event, some may have left disappointed. “I think a lot of people wanted [Zinn to provide us with] solutions to problems and might have been disappointed,” Katie Gray-Schofield ’09 said. She added that though it is useful to look at history for guidance, it is not possible to obtain threestep solutions to war and foreign policy-related issues, as some questions raised in the discussion session seemed to expect.

Ironically, Zinn criticized the American tradition of looking for saviors instead of taking action. He attributed the root of this problem to history syllabi across the country. “If kids were taught the history of social movement instead of the history of presi-

dents we’d be more prepared,” he said. As a suggestion for shifting history curriculum, Zinn offered a partial joke: “you could start by using my books,” he said, addressing teachers in the audience.In an interview, Zinn said that he regrettably felt that social and political issues have not advanced drastically since he published his best-selling book, A People’s History of the United States. “I’d like to say the world has changed drastically but it hasn’t,” he said, referencing the progressively larger social and economic gaps in the country and the unnecessary wars. “So I can’t really give any credit to my book,” he joked. Even so, he conceded that a large shift has taken place in terms of Americans’ consciousness of significant issues such as race, and especially war.

“In a sense, we’re all experienced drugaddicts in that we’ve all been subject to the addiction of war,” he said, but concluded that people have finally recognized that they were fooled by the government to believe that it was a good solution.

The Brandeis Brief The student budget advisory group met for the first time Wednesday afternoon to consider options for expenditure reduction to solve university’s projected $5.8 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2010. The committee will meet again after Thanksgiving.

The advisory group, headed by Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Jean Eddy and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Peter French, includes Vice President of Campus Operations Mark Collins, Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer, Union President Jason Gray ’10, Union Treasurer Max Wallach ’09, Finance Board Chair Emily Moignard ’09, and four other students.

“The University has been working

Stein to remain open this year

to identify areas where budgets could be reduced and savings realized,” Eddy wrote in an e-mail to The Hoot. “Some of those areas may affect the day to day lives of students on this campus. It’s important and it is our practice to have student input as we consider our choices,” she added.

“I said we need student involvement,” Gray said. French, Eddy, and Sawyer “told me they’d like to do an advisory committee.”

“Students will consider such things as dining, residence life, and any other issue that affects student life,” Eddy wrote.

At present, the advisory “group is not considering the [removal of the USEM requirement] or class offerings;” how-

ever, that might change, Eddy said.

She explained that the group is considering mostly temporary changes though “there is a possibility for permanent as well.”

The ideas the student advisory group discusses along with those of the faculty advisory committee convened by Provost Marty Krauss will be incorporated into the budget proposals senior administrators will submit to university President Jehuda Reinharz in December.

Reinharz along with senior administrators will then devise a budget for fiscal year 2010 to be presented to the Board of Trustees in March.

--Alison Channon

Sean Favreau if the Stein would be closed, Favreau could neither confirm nor deny the rumor. Favreau did tell him, however, that closing The Stien had been considered.

Neither Favreau nor Director of Dining Services Michael Newmark responded to requests for comment.

“Everything is up in the air,” Stein employee Liana Langdon-Embry ’11 said.

“We haven’t received any information from managers.”

“They themselves don’t know,” she continued. Consequently, most of what she had heard about the possible closing came from other employees, she said. “[Aramark officials] haven’t confirmed or denied rumors about the Stein,” Union Dining Services Committee Co-Chair Jenna Brofsky ’10 said.

Brofsky’s co-chair and Stein employee Jenna Rubin ’11 confirmed that the committee had not received a clear answer from Aramark management.

Rubin called the lack of communication “frustrating.”

“One thing that the Dining Services Committee prides itself on is its relationship with the dining administration,” she said. “I’m finding it hard to have faith in the committee’s relationship with Aramark right now,” Rubin commented.

Even so, “I do have confidence that we’ll get information at some point.”

While the committee had not received an answer from Aramark regarding the closing rumors as of print time, “we do know that with the [budget shortfall] they’ve been looking to close hours somewhere,” Brofsky commented, though she did not know if that would specifically affect the Stein.

“Staff is where all the money goes for dining,” Rubin said. Aramark will be forced to “cut back on staff or hours” due to the university’s budget problems, she added.

Even before the university’s budget shortfall for the current fiscal year was confirmed, the Stein had already been subject to a variety of changes, including ending lunch hours and removing items from the menu. The changes have led to poorer business, employees said.

“Last year was crazy. We had so many people,” Langdon-Embry said. This year, instead of serving between 10 and 15 tables on a Friday night at any given time, LangdonEmbry only serves two, which has caused a marked decline in her tips, she explained.

“The menu change really, really had an impact on people not coming,” she commented. “Profits have noticeably gone down.”

The anonymous student agreed, saying, “this semester, with the slashed-down menu, business is absolutely terrible.”

After talks with the Union’s Dining Services Committee, some popular items have returned to the menu, causing an upswing in business, Langdon-Embry and Rubin said.

Even so, the Stein doesn’t bring in a profit, Langdon-Embry said. Others have said that the Stein is losing money currently, though Aramark refused to comment.

Despite uncertainty regarding the restaurant’s economic viability, closing the Stein did not sit well.

“The job there is amazing,” Langdon-Embry remarked. “We get paid so well.”

“Everyone realizes that the Stein is really important to Brandeis,” Brofsky commented, “I don’t think anyone wants to close the Stein.”

November 21, 2008

NEWS

The Hoot 13

Gray encourages community involvement Tough economy has little effect on study abroad participation

BY ARIEL WITTENBERG Editor

Student Union President Jason Gray ’10 challenged student clubs to develop a community service component for their organizations at his State of the Union address on Monday in Rapaporte Treasure Hall.

“For example, the debate team could teach public speaking at a local school. An a cappella group could sing at a local shelter,” Gray suggested. “The opportunities are endless.”

Gray also said that the Union is committed to “help this challenge succeed” in his first address of the academic year. His second address will take place during the spring semester.

Student Union Vice President Adam Hughes ’11 said after the address that while the Union’s executive board has yet to discuss how it will specifically aid clubs in adding a community service component, he hopes to make it as easy as possible for clubs to meet Gray’s “audacious call to action.”

Hughes said he imagines that the Union would “spend a significant amount of time next semester” helping to connect clubs with Waltham organizations.

“We don’t want this to be a huge ordeal for any club,” Hughes said.

“This is a great actualization of Brandeis goals, and we want to make it as easy as possible for clubs to achieve.”

Approximately 70 students attended the address along with Catholic Chaplain Walter Cuenin, Senior Vice President of Communications Lorna Miles and Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Jean Eddy.

President Jehuda Reinhartz was invited to the address, but did not attend, Gray said.

Miles said she was struck by Gray’s challenge to the student body, saying that it was a “tremendous initiative that really defines the university. It’s a good night for Brandeis.”

Eddy agreed. “I love to come and see such a well articulated vision

STUDY ABROAD (from p. 1)

PHOTO BY Max Shay/The Hoot

STATE OF THE UNION: Union President Jason Gray ’10 addressed Union members, clubs leaders, and other students at his State of the Union address in Rapaporte Treasure Hall Monday evening.

for the student body,” Eddy said. “I feel really uplifted after this.”

Other changes Gray hopes to implement during his term as Union president include the creation of a university shuttle from campus to the Riverside T station in Newton, in an effort to increase student access to Boston.

Gray also announced that the Union passed a resolution last Sunday asking the university to incorporate the Student Bill of Rights into the student handbook, Rights and Responsibilities. The Student Bill of Rights was written by students and approved by 90 percent of the student body last spring.

The student written Bill of

Rights contradicts the handbook on certain issues, such as whether a student is allowed to see evidence against them in a disciplinary hearing before or during the hearing, Gray explained.

“Here at Brandeis, we ought not to settle for a partially sufficient document,” Gray said, referring to the handbook.

In the conclusion of his speech, Gray asked the student body for its “partnership.”

“Our democracy—like all democracies, no matter the scale— works best when all of us are engaged together,” he said. “Our agenda is large. The possibilities are infinite…Let’s get to work.”

alized he wanted to enjoy his time the junior class studied abroad. with friends at Brandeis. “I really Typically, more students choose wanted to enjoy college as much to study abroad in the spring se- as I could,” he said. mester for reasons that vary from Though his decision was not year to year, Van Der Meid said. based on the economy, Lewis acFactors influencing a decision knowledged that high exchange to go abroad during a given se- rates are a big issue for many stumester might include friends’ dents, especially those hoping to study abroad plans, classes offered study in Europe. at Brandeis, family obligations, The uncertainty of being secured sports scheda student loan ules, or world is also a factor events.

People realize it’s going to i n f l u e n c i n g Over the decisions, he past three be an expensive event so said. years the Of- they plan ahead for that For Tamar fice of Study Ariel ’10, a and even if it’s going to be Abroad has poor economy tried to in- more expensive than they didn’t necescrease partici- anticipated they’re willing sarily impact pation rates her decision for both fall to take it to go abroad and spring --Tamar Ariel ’10 to Israel next semesters semester. “I and they’ve know that I’ll seen some make it work improvement, Van Der Meid ex- regardless of the state of the econplained. omy,” she said.

“We are closing the gap between Though the poor economy fall and spring. It’s not 50-50 yet hasn’t affected Ariel’s choice to go but we’re getting closer to that,” he abroad for a semester, it is affectsaid. ing her post study abroad plans The Office of Study Abroad of- for the coming summer. fers students 250 study abroad Ariel had planned to travel to programs in 70 different countries Europe and was particularly exworldwide. cited about visiting England, but Brandeis’ top three study abroad the poor economy has changed destinations are the United King- her plans. dom, Spain, and Australia respecThough there isn’t currently a tively. huge shift away from students Though exchange rates between studying in Europe, students the U.S. dollar and the Euro and might be choosing study abroad the pound have recently started to programs outside of traditionally favor Americans more, Van Der expensive areas such as London, Meid said he doesn’t believe this Van Der Meid said. will cause students who weren’t Ariel said many students algoing to study abroad to suddenly ready anticipate expensive costs decide to do so. for study abroad regardless of ecoThough he won’t be studying nomic variables: “People realize it’s abroad next semester, economic going to be an expensive event so reasons were not a deciding factor they plan ahead for that and even for Andy Lewis ’10. if it’s going to be more expensive After an internship found Lewis than they anticipated they’re willworking 40 hours a week in New ing to take it, at least it was that York City over the summer, he re- way for me.”

SEARCH (from p. 1)

PHOTO BY Natasha Rubin/The Hoot

SEARCH AND SEIZURE: Students, adminstrators, and law enforcement described students’ search and seizure rights before talk turned to alcohol policy.

“We were all in college,” she said.

“We know what goes on on-campus. To be perfectly honest I could care less if you’re 18 and you consume alcohol, what I care about is if it’s a good choice for you, your roommate, your suite-mate or the community.”

Students at the forum also wondered if Massachusetts’ decriminalization of marijuana would affect university policy.

While Callahan said that the university would have to reassess its’ policy for the spring semester, when the state’s decriminalization would be implemented, he reminded students that possession of marijuana is still illegal, and that regardless of the legal status of marijuana, Brandeis is a private university and can create and enforce whatever policy it feels is best.Balch reminded students that smoking of any sort is not allowed

inside or within 15 feet of any campus buildings.

She also said that she was disappointed with the number of covered smoke detectors that were discovered during Residence Life’s routine fire safety checks.

In Rosenthal Quad alone, Callahan said, 23 covered smoke detectors were discovered.

“There’s a whole lot of people who would have died if there was a fire in that residence hall,” Callahan said.

“Fires are especially common this time of year, we don’t need a tragedy. Students need to be responsible and uncover their smoke detectors.” The university is charged a $1,000 fine per covered smoke detector.

“We’re already in an economic crisis—that’s a big hit to us. I don’t know where that money’s going to come from,” Callahan said. “And that’s only one quad.”

Your ad here!

E-mail Sri@brandeis.edu

Students question alcohol policy in search and seizure forum

14

November 21, 2008

The Hoot

SPO RTS Never Looking Back: Judges Open Season with 67-54 win

By ZACHARY ARONOW Editor

The WPI Engineers won the opening tip-off of the 2008-09 season opener but that would be the only victory for them as Brandeis turned a first half shooting gallery proved to be enough to overcome a sloppy second half and walked away with the 67-54 victory.

“After about five weeks of practice, everyone was ready to go,” Brandeis head coach Carol Simon said after the game.

“First half we played extremely well.” Coach Simon said, “We really came out and dictated the offense and defense. We shot really well; our three point shooting was pretty amazing, 7 of 11 in the first half. Defensively, we took away some of the things they wanted to do. They’re a very good driving team and we did a really good job of that, really keeping them off the boards.”

The first half was all Brandeis as the team shot a scintillating 56% field goal percentage and put the game out of reach with a 19-2 run with 9:50 left to go in the half. The second half though brought back an unwelcome rehash of last year – second half struggles. WPI opened the half with a 10-2 run to close the gap to 13 points. Clutch free throw shooting for the Judges however were able to overcome 8-22 shooting in the second half and never held a lead smaller than 12 points for the rest of the match.

“They just wanted the ball a little more than we did,”

co-captain Jessica Chapin ’10 said about WPI’s second half surge, “we were a little lacksidasical, thinking, you know, we’re up by twenty some-odd points and we can’t let down, we have to play a complete game.”

Jessica Chapin ’10 led the offense with 18 points on 7-14 shooting, 12 of those points coming in the first half. Chapin also had a game-high six steals. Lauren Orlando ’09 had 11 points and led the team with six rebounds in 21 minutes of action and was a perfect 4-4 from the field. Carmela Breslin ’10 led the bench scorers with 7 points. Coach Simon got a good initial look at the rookies starting with Kelly Ethier ’12 who got to start in her first ever collegiate game. Ethier had a quiet debut with one basket, two rebounds, two assists, two turnovers and a block. Morgan Kendrew ’12 opened her collegiate career with five points and four rebounds off the bench.

“They’re long and athletic,” Chapin said about her rookie teammates, “and that’s exactly the style of play we want to have on the team. They just to that and just let us run up and down the floor.” Elle Fontaine paced the losing effort for WPI with 15 points for the night while Caitlin Macko and Serena Dubois each had 10.

Brandeis will hope that the strong start will continue as they host the Tip-Off Tournament this weekend.

The Judges open up with Widener on November 22 at 6 pm and then take on either Bowdoin or WCSU on November 23. The home stand continues with Wellesley coming down to Red Auerbach on November 25 at 5:30 pm.

TOP: Brandeis’ Jessica Chapin ‘10 (No. 23, right) passes the ball behind the back of WPI’s Caitlin Macko ‘09 (No. 34, center), in the second half of Brandeis’ 67-54 season opening win this Monday.

ABOVE-LEFT: Brandeis Forward Amber Strodthoff ‘11 (No. 44, left) and Brandeis Guard Jessica Chapin ‘10 (No. 23, right) struggle to steal the ball away from WPI Guard Melissa Kuhn ‘11 (No. 3, center), in the second half of Brandeis Women Basketball’s season opener.

ABOVE-RIGHT: Brandeis’ Jessica Chapin ‘10 (No. 23, center-front) picks up the foul and attempts a lay-up against WPI’s Serena Dubois ‘10 (No. 14, center-front).

PHOTOS BY Max Shay/The Hoot

Laser-like shooting dooms Judges in opener 66-68

By ZACHARY ARONOW Editor

Four Brandeis Judges reached double digits in scoring but it was not enough to overcome Lasell’s 12 three pointers as they dropped the season opener in a 66-68 upset.

Steve Deluca GRAD showed little sign of rust, leading the Judges with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Kevin Olson ’09 had 14 points after making all four of his three point attempts. Andre Roberson ’10 chipped in

with 12 points and four rebounds though he was unable to convert a lay up at the end of the game to force overtime. Rookie Tyrone Hughes’ ’12 play off the bench proved to be a bright spot for Coach Meehan, picking up 10 points off the bench.

As balanced as the Brandeis offense was, they had no answer for Lasell guard Junior Sanival who finished with 23 points and hit seven out of his ten three point attempts.

Brad Caravoulias was the other double digit scorer for Lasell putting up 10 in the winning effort.

Poor shooting at inopportune points doomed the Judges. The first half saw only seven shots out of 23 attempts converted, a ghastly 30.4% clip while the second half saw a decline in free throw shooting – going 7-11 at the line in the half. A repeat of the first half clip of 10-11 would have given the Judges victory. Of course if my mother had wheels, she would’ve been a trolley car.

Outdated expressions aside, Coach Meehan will hope to see his squad rebound from their disappointment as they continue on the road and take on WPI on No-

vember 22 before returning home to the familiar comforts of Red Auerbach Arena on November 25 as they take on UMassDartmouth at 7:30.

Obviously not the way anyone would want to start the season but the season still retains a faint scent of freshness and there is more than enough time to turn this around.

Still, it is now on them even more than ever to justify their high preseason rankings and prove that they belong in the NCAA tournament for the third straight year.

November 21, 2008

SPORTS

The Hoot 15

Women’s XC finish season strong, Men’s team headed to nationals

By JORDAN ROTHMAN Editor

Traveling three hours to Williams College this past weekend, the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Teams had great showings at the New England Regional Cross Country competition. The course was muddy and hilly leading to lower than usual times for both squads. Still, the women were able to place 13th at the event of the 49 squads present at the meet. The men also had an extremely successful competition, finishing 4th of the 49 teams on the men’s side. This performance is good enough to earn them a place at the NCAA tournament next weekend, and is the best that the squad has placed in nearly a decade.

Despite several injuries and bad luck during the season, the men were able to compete strong and are now headed to nationals. Leading the men this weekend was Paul Norton ’11. Improving his ranking at the meet from last year by nearly 70 places, Norton ended up finishing ninth at the competition with a time of 26 minutes and 26 seconds. This was good enough to earn him All New-England honors and his success added valuably to the team. Second to cross the line was first-year Chris Brown ‘12 who finished the race in under 27 min-

utes. Right at his back was classmate Marc Boutin ’12 who placed 23rd at the competition. Boutin was able to claim UAA Rookie of the year earlier this month, and added to his team contributions with his strong performance this past Saturday. Senior CoCaptain Mike Stone ‘09 was the next Brandeis runner to cross the line followed by teammate Kerwin Vega ’11. They rounded out Brandeis’ scoring, and completed the race in under 27 minutes and 30 seconds.

The Women’s team also had a strong performance this weekend as the first Judge to cross the finish line was Marie Lemay ’11, who covered the 6 kilometer course in 24 minutes and 8 seconds. The next two Brandeis runners to score were Alyssa Pisarik ’12 and classmate Kate Warwick ’12. They finished back-to-back, and claimed 58th and 59th places respectively. Teammate Ally Connoly ’10 was the next runner to finish the race, claiming 88th place with a time of 25 minutes and 15 seconds. Classmate Beth Pisarik ‘10 and sibling of teammate Alyssa Pisarik ’12 rounded out the scoring for the judges with a time of 25 minutes and 37 seconds. The Judges improved five places from last year and showed a strong team performance this weekend.

Members of the men’s team were extremely satisfied with their performance this Sat-

urday. All-New England Award Winner Paul Norton ‘11 was hopeful for the team’s chances at nationals and content with the recent performance. “We had a great team day at regionals” commented Norton about the recent meet. “It’s tough to get everyone to run their best all on the same day but I think we came pretty close to that and beat some good teams pretty handily.” He also commented upon the team mindset for the nationals competition. “As far as nationals, we really go in with nothing to lose. We are a team of mostly freshmen and sophomores, and this year the main goal at NCAA’s is to run our best and gain experience so we can come back to the meet next year ready to get on the podium.”

Co-Captain Mike Stone ’09 also had much to say about the obstacles the team faced on the way to their success, and the depth that the team has been able to muster over the past season. “Our team isn’t just 7 runners but over 20 capable athletes who have the work ethic, ambition and the focus to follow through on our stated goals.”

Stone also discussed the team’s outlook for the national competition. “While placing 4th at regionals is an accomplishment in itself we look to improve on that performance at Nationals. We will have our eyes set on teams like Trinity and Emory, two

squads that have edged us out on days that could have just as easily gone our way. I don’t want to put a specific number on our desired finish at nationals but we will come in with a highly competitive attitude looking to improve our national standing.”

Members of the women’s team were also happy with their recent performance and have high hopes for next season. “Our team improved five places from last year and it’s really exciting since our team is so young” commented Marie Lemay ’11. She went on to say “we performed well this year, but with a little more experience, I feel that we can really make an impact in the coming seasons.”

The women have no more competitions left in the season, but were able to leave on a high note, having improved markedly from their performance last year. The men now have a place at the NCAA tournament, which will take place on November 22nd at Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana. This is the first time in 10 years that the team has made it to the national tournament and Paul Norton ’11 perhaps grasps the sentiments of the team best. “We’re extremely excited to end the 10 year drought of NCAA championship appearances for the men’s team and can’t wait to race there.”

Team of champions: A personal view of rugby successes

By JUSTIN PIERRE-LOUIS Staff

On October 26, 2008 Brandeis Men’s Rugby ended the Season the way it started it. We hit hard and played hard.

We left everything on the field: our sweat, and our blood, but there were no tears.

We weren’t just a bunch of guys who all showed talent but didn’t know how and when to hone it. We were a well oiled machine that compromised and made sacrifices and often-times forgot the self in the interest of the whole. Put simply, we were a team. There was nothing to be sad about in losing our last game of the season against the formidable Holy Cross rugby team. We lost to worthy adversaries and neither side had much left after all was all said and done.

While the official rugby season is over the rugby team’s trials and tribulations are anything but. The spring season is time for scrimmage games and honing skills and making all of the necessary modifications to the aforementioned team machine. This season has only made Brandeis Rugby stronger, and while it is losing many of its leaders, there are

bright new possibilities for those who are taking the reigns of Rugby team leadership. On that note I would like to congratulate the new Rugby Team President Stephen Robinson. Stephen, who will be replacing former president Jacob Bockelman, is a sophomore who has continuously showed dedication and fortitude on and off the field. He also does a great job of scaring the crap out of the other team with his intensity. I am sure that the team will be safe in his hands.

Replacing Jordan Goodnough as Forwards (big guys) captain is Stanley Chen who often takes the game more seriously than is safe. Of course we would not have it any other way. Among his other notable rugby moments Stan is notorious for having to receive head staples after he and fellow forward Gustavo Pardo teamed up to knock a member of the Holy Cross team momentarily unconscious.

Replacing Gary Berkson as Back (agile guys) captain is Adam Greenblatt. Adam has continuously shown a great knowledge of the game of rugby especially in pertinence to controlling field position. Not only is it usual for one to hear the men’s rugby team chant “Thank You Adam” after one of his great kicks saves us from being scored on, but

in the game against Stonehill it was Adam’s penalty kick which tied the game and kept us from a loss. Congrats also go out to the new members of the social committee Sean Lassoff, Harry Shipp, John Homans, Eddie Ebani and myself. And last but certainly not least, a big hurrah for the team’s new Match Secretary Martin Singer whose unusually neat handwriting is often confused for that of on of the girls in his class (sorry Martin I had to).

All in all the rugby year, which is far from over, has done an amazing job of showing individuals as the champions they truly are. Champions, as I understand them, no, as the Men’s Rugby team understands them, are those of us who are willing to put the team before themselves; to give of themselves more than they would ever be willing to invest in any personal gain or achievement. Championship isn’t decided by some gold plated chalice or plaque or medal.

These artifacts are only significant as symbols of what they represent. Trophy’s represent one’s undying dedication to a discipline, to a sport, to training, to a team. Teamwork is championship and Brandeis Men’s Rugby is a team of Champions.

The Deis Board TEAM WSoccer

MBasketball

LATEST SCORES November 15 v. Emmanuel W 3-0 November 16 v. University of New England W 3-1 Final Record 13-7-2, 3-3-1, 2008 ECAC Champions November 18 at Lasell L 66-68

WBasketball

November 17 v. WPI W 67-54

Swimming and Diving XCountry

November 17 at Bentley MSwimming W 128-109 WSwimming W 133-108 November 15 v. New England Division III Championships Men 4th out of 49 teams v. New England Division III Championships Women 13th out of 39

MFencing

NEXT GAME

November 22 at WPI 6:00 pm November 25 v. UMass-Dartmouth 7:30 pm November 22 v. Widener 6:00 pm November 23 v. Bowdoin/WSCU 1:00 or 3:00 pm November 25 v. Wellesley 5:30 pm November 23 at Tufts 12:00 pm November 22 MXCountry vs. NCAA Championships @ Hanover, Ind.

November 22 v. Northeast Conference Meet at UNH 1:00 pm

16 16

November November 21, 21, 2008 2008

The The Hoot Hoot

W E E K end F U N Spotlight on Boston

Nov. 22, 5:30 p.m.

Tree Lighting: Saturday, Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Merchant of Venice:

Friday to Sunday, Nov. 21-23 15 Channel Center St.

Get in the holiday spirit and attend Boston's 24th annual tree lighting ceremony. There will be entertainment throughout the day. Performances will include Ernie and the Automatics and recording group Jada. Watch as the 70-foot Douglas fir tree lights up.the sky.

"If you tickle us do we not laugh?"

Enjoy this Shakespearean comedy about a poor Venetian man who wins the love of a lady, but at a price. Part of the Actors' Shakespeare Project, this play is sure to delight. $40/person.

Photo courtesy of Stratton McCrady.

www.actorsshakespeareproject.org

Photo courtesy of Ugur Vidinligil.

http://www.artsboston.org/mhs

What's going on at Brandeis?

Nov. 22, 2008, 6 p.m.

Mela: Saturday, Levin Ballroom Entertainment, food, and an after party--this event has everything. SASA put together this cultural show with the theme "Retracing Our Roots."

Following the show, there will be dinner in lower Usdan and then there will be an after party in Shapiro Campus Center.

Tea & Flowers, Purity & Grace: Friday to Sunday, Nov. 21-23, 8 p.m.

Mainstage, Spingold Don't miss out on this creative adaptation of Edith Wharton's House of Mirth. Susan Dibble choreographed this dance play about a scheming New York socialite. Tickets $10 with Brandeis ID.

Graphic courtesy of Priya Patel..

Graphic courtesy of Alex Doucette

Nov. 21, 9 p.m.

Mathematicians : Friday, Inherit the Wind: Chum's Saturday to Sunday, Nov. 22-23

Dance the night away to this electro rock band. DJ E-603 will Like a good courtroom drama? Then open the event. Sponsored by you should go see this Hillel Theater the Punk Rock and Roll club, Group production. Based on the 1925 Scopes Monkey trial, the play party to tracks like Binary Girl, deals with the debate between reli- 4 Eyes, and Weapons of Math Destruction. gion and science. $3/person.

Photos courtesy of Shapiro Campus Center Theater

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COMICStrips Sleazy

Insert Comic Here

By Matt Kupfer

By Anthony Scibelli

Floppsie

By Grace Alloy-Relihan