Brandeis University's Community Newspaper — Waltham, Mass.
Ive been told that the big controversy these days is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran. Famous for denying the Holocaust, vowing to wipe Israel off the map, and speaking at Columbia University (interesting combination), Ahmadinejad has succeeded in single-handedly turning the Western world against Iran. Many call him a cruel dictator, and some say he may become the next Hitler.
I wish to respond to much of the criticism that has been launched at one of my dear friends, Secretary Michael Goldman. People keep saying that he acted wholly unprofessionally by leaking election tallies and giving people an unfair advantage. This is a complete and egregious muddling of events. Mike may have said that a candidate was doing well and may have given vote tallies, but this means nothing. Just because he told someone that they were 12 votes behind doesnt mean they will magically get 12 votes. In fact, the person lost. Simply stating that a candidate is doing well doesnt favor them in any way during their campaign. In fact, cockiness may be detrimental. Horrible smear tactics have been launched at Goldman, and we must remember the pettiness of the events.
When I picked up this past weeks issue of The Hoot, I was surprised by the overwhelmingly one-sided criticism against increased Brandeis security. Walking through campus, you are bound to see tables and petitions and loud Brandeis canvassers, and all of them will tell you the administration is making a mistake: the Brandeis police should not be armed. Maybe its because Im from Virginia, or maybe its because I lost a childhood friend in the shooting at Virginia Tech last year, but I see something horribly strange about this reaction.
The decision by the Fire and Safety Arms Advisory Committee, approved by President Jehuda Reinharz, to recommend Brandeis police officers to carry guns has provoked a group of students who disagree with the decision to start a petition hoping to urge the Brandeis community re-evaluate the decision.
After over a year of negotiations, the Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation has given the Heller School for Social Policy and Management a $5 million grant to found the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy.
After last weeks censureship of Union Secretary Michael Goldman for disclosing voting information in last months elections, the Union Judiciary last Sunday granted cert to a petition against Goldman citing unethical and unconstitutional behavior. In the days before the Oct. 7 hearing, Goldmans counsel has filed several motions alleging biased behavior amongst various participants in the proceedings, including UJ Chief Justice Jamie Ansorge 09.
In early July 2008, Capital Projects will begin construction on a new Admissions building. Rather than being renovated, the building will be completely torn down and a new one will be built in its place. President Reinharz has been in conversation with Carl Shapiro and the Shapiro Foundation about renovating the current structure, specifically the Presentation room at the bottom of Admissions, explained Jean Eddy, Senior Vice President of the Office of Students and Enrollment. According to Eddy, these conversations between Reinharz and Shapiro led to a discussion on what the University really envisioned in an Admissions building.
If youre at all like me, then youve probably been discouraged by the lack of astounding parties offered here at good old Brandeis. Youve probably found yourself muttering phrases like Why do I even bother going out here anymore? and My little brothers middle school throws better parties than this place. The lack of quality night life has probably even caused you to disregard the fact that picking your nose in front of your classmates and wearing the same tie-dye t-shirt everyday to class is unacceptable. On the surface, while these negative notions do appear to be valid thoughts and opinions to express, is the answer really to concede to the fact that there is a shortage of fun-happenings around campus and to throw on a bright yellow backpack with an abundance of animal key chains attached to the pockets? While this might be the route that many of you choose, I feel as though it is vital for your personal well-being to come to the realization that you need to accept and welcome the opportunities that you are presented with and that there is, in fact, a lot of fun to be had both on and off of Brandeis campus.
Student Union officials released details regarding the upcoming eatery in the Village Quad, following preliminary meetings with Dining Services and the Administration. The eatery, according to Union Director of Research and Development Sridatta Mukherjee 09, will open in January 2008.
A Union Judiciary complaint has been filed against Student Union Secretary Michael Goldman 08. The complaint asked the UJ to deliberate upon the constitutionality of Goldman remaining in office while being denied access to election tallies, and challenged Goldmans appointment of Rajiv Ramakrishnan 10 to the position of Assistant Secretary of Technology.
