At the March 20 meeting, the Senate recognized the Brandeis Immigration Education Initiative. The BIEI will "advocate for immigrant student education rights here at Brandeis, across the state of Massachusetts and in federal legislation affecting the right of all students, regardless of nationality, to access higher education," according to the group's constitution. Senator for Ziv Quad Mark Levi '12 and Senator for Ridgewood Quad Lisa Melmed '12 proposed a Senate Money Resolution requesting $1396.98 to sponsor a barbeque event for residents of Ridgewood Quad and Ziv Quad.

The SMR passed unanimously.

Senator-at-Large Beneva Davies '13 reported that she is working with the Waltham Alliance to Create Housing tenant advocacy clinic to bring a fundraiser supporting the group to Brandeis.

WATCH is an organization that helps "give housing rights advice to members of the community who are in need," according to the Waltham Group website. Additionally, "examples of common problems that Waltham tenants tend to have are evictions, tension and other problems with a landlord or poor living conditions," said the website.

Davies proposed holding a 5-kilometer run on campus to help raise funds for WATCH.

Senator for the Class of 2011 Michael Newborn reported that he is working with Student Sexuality Information Service to compose a list of students who do not want to receive contraceptives in their mailboxes.

Senator for the Village Nathan Israel '14 reported that he is working to get a weight machine for the Village gym. He also wants to organize a cook-off barbeque for the Village.

Senator for the Castle Miriam Halimi '13 said that she compiled a list of problems in the Castle, such as broken toilets and uncleaned vomit. She sent the list to Campus Operations Working Group Chair Beau Bonness '11 but has not received a response.

Director of Executive Affairs Ryan Fanning '11 told the Senate that the Student Union is planning to have a dinner event for members of the Student Union with University President Frederick Lawrence at the Faculty Club.

The Greek Awareness Council amended its constitution, as required by the Senate vote that occurred on March 6, according to Executive Senator Abraham Berin '11.

The amendment stipulated that "other organizations may petition to become member organizations of the GAC. These organizations can include but are not limited to Greek Letter Organizations, groups recognized or chartered by the Brandeis University Student Union, or be unrecognized groups composed primarily of Brandeis students with the intent to serve the Brandeis community." Also, "groups may gain Member Organization status by a 2/3 vote," according to the GAC constitution.

Originally, the GAC constitution did not allow non-Greek groups to be member organizations of the GAC. The new constitution was approved by the Senate Club Support Committee and the group was recognized, said Berin in an e-mail to the Justice.


-Andrew Wingens