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Brandeis University's Community Newspaper — Waltham, Mass.

Students to be involved in sub-committees

Published: January 30, 2009
Section: Front Page


The steering committee decided yesterday to create five subcommittees to discuss initiatives meant to combat the budget deficit in improving recruiting and admissions, creating possible business major, requiring students to participate in a summer semester, rethinking degree requirements and rethinking the graduate schools.

The steering committee, led by Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe, is composed of nine faculty members and one student representative—Student Union President Jason Gray.

The steering committee was established at last Thursday’s faculty meeting to develop and consider ways to remarket the university and cut costs in light of its current and projected budget deficits.

The committee was originally meant as a faculty-only group; however, Gray was admitted to the committee on Wednesday after university President Jehuda Reinharz held a forum at which students voiced their concern about the lack of student involvement in administrative decisions.

“I plan to ensure that there is as much transparency and student engagement in these decisions as possible,” Gray said in an interview with The Hoot.

All sub-committees except the Graduate School committee would have an undergraduate student representative, and the Graduate School committee would have a graduate student representative, Gray announced in an e-mail to the student body.

All sub-committees, in conjunction with related administration and faculty members will be expected to hold a series of town hall-style open forums for students.

“This is an opportunity for us to do good in a time of great challenges,” steering committee member Sasha Nelson (BIO) said.

Students interested in applying to sit on a committee should visit http://my.brandeis.edu//survsimp/one?survey_id=4310. Applications are due by Saturday at 5 p.m., and strong applicants will be interviewed Sunday.

Alex Schneider contributed to this report.