"I find that so catty," Student Union President Alison Schwartzbaum '08 said. I had asked her about allegations by one union official regarding favoritism in her administration, and, as has often been the case this semester, she didn't like the question."It's another example of the media trying to pick fights and create drama where there isn't any," she said.

Such deflection of criticism has been common in Schwartzbaum's administration-one that seems far less transparent than the government that preceded it-and one that, so far, has seemed less effective at times.

I covered the Union extensively when Schwartzbaum's predecessor was soaring. Then-President Jenny Feinberg '07 ran a remarkably unified government, one that seemed to have a solid grasp on the ideas of open government, one that was on its way to achieving landmark reforms of the club funding system.

Feinberg's government even let me sit in on some of their private "executive sessions," albeit off-the-record.

But since Schwartzbaum took the uncontested election for president in the spring, she and her officers have tended to be tight-lipped and insular regarding critical campus issues.

In a candid interview Sunday night, Schwartzbaum acknowledged a lack of transparency in Union communications during the beginning of the semester, but insisted that it was no excuse for what she characterized as bad reporting by both campus newspapers, which she said "exacerbated the Union's lackluster communication."

She also said the Union has been "quiet" because it was so focused on implementation of the new club funding system, which she said was vitally important to all student groups on campus.

The temporary absence of Director of Communications Brian Paternostro '07, who resigned to run for treasurer but reassumed the position after a failed campaign, was a major factor in the Union's recent record of poor communication, Schwartzbaum said.

"Now that we have [Paternostro], and all the senators are in place, we're ready to roll," Schwartzbaum said.

But at least to some extent, secrecy has been policy, according to an e-mail from Union Vice President Aaron Gaynor '07 to the senate, in which he cautioned against Union officials making public comments about other Union representatives.

"While it is your choice, I am requesting of you that you do not comment on the performance of other union officers," Gaynor wrote in the e-mail, provided by a Union official who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fears of political retribution.

Gaynor, a Union mainstay during the course of his time at Brandeis, confirmed that he sent the e-mail, but said he did so because he was concerned that certain reporters were "bullying" other senators to talk about other officials when they did not want to.

The Union also has come under scrutiny for failing to ensure the continuation of Modfest, the campus' popular outdoor party.

But Union Officials have focused their attention on the Justice's coverage of the premature announcement that a tentative date had been set.

The absence of communication between the administration and the Union-demonstrated by that date's announcement, which was immediately said as wrong-has continued into this week.

Officials Monday night insisted that an alternative event was firmly scheduled, even as administrators said no date was final.

Still, Schwartzbaum predicted a successful year, as her administration continues to work on intiatives to improve student life, including renovations to the Intercultural Center and effectively implementing last year's club funding reforms.

"I'm just blown away by what freshmen and sophomores are doing," Schwartzbaum added.

Jason Gray '10, Massell Quad senator, said at senate meetings he helped make sure construction near his quad-which he said woke residents up-did not start until 8 a.m., two hours later than its initial start. He also advocated for fixing the railing leading down the quad.

Schwartzbaum said she is committed to improving communication between the Union, its constituents and the press.

For students' sake, she might consider taking advice from Feinberg, her predecessor.

"The more information the better," Feinberg said of her own administration's openness in an interview Monday. "Whatever you have, put it out there."

Justin Sulsky, now the news editor for the Justice, has covered Union politics for a year.