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(03/26/12 4:00am)
The New Orleans Saints have met their maker. After years of collecting payouts for deliberately hurting other players, such as quarterback Brett Favre, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended coach Sean Payton for the 2012-2013 season, while also seizing the franchise's next two second-round picks. Plays in the bounty system started with a standard pass. Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy snatched the ball from his center. As his receivers struggled to get open, McCoy scrambled to evade the flashes of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense that barged toward him. Approximately one second later, however, a vicious helmet-to-helmet assault from Steelers' linebacker James Harrison sent McCoy reeling. He then lay writhing on the ground. Football is inescapably a rough sport. However, with the increase in awareness about the dangers of helmet-to-helmet collisions, rules have been instituted to ensure that hits like the one suffered by McCoy occur less frequently. Still, however, these hits happen. According to a poll conducted by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research, Alzheimer's and similar diseases related to memory loss have been diagnosed in former players at a rate of 19 times the standard for men ages 30 to 49. Another poll from the University of North Carolina's Center for the Study of Retired Athletes discovered that over one-fifth of former NFL players that claim to have sustained three or more concussions have also developed depression-like symptoms. These polls suggest a link between the head trauma obtained from participating in football and neurological disorders developed later in life. This sobering data affirms why news of the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal is so disturbing. "We are all accountable and responsible for player health and safety and the integrity of the game," said Goodell. "We will not tolerate conduct or a culture that undermines those priorities." Payton attempted to cover up the bounty system, even when the league established that no such system could exist. Gregg Williams, the Saints' former defensive coordinator who now works with the St. Louis Rams, has also been indefinitely suspended by the league. The Saints were also fined $500,000 . The bounty program officially began in 2009, the year in which Williams first joined the Saints and New Orleans secured their franchise's first Super Bowl championship. The bounty system continued up through the 2011 season, even after continued warnings from the league that warned teams to put a stop to any potential misconduct. Players were paid hundreds of dollars out of a pool created by the players, coaches and others affiliated with the Saints. At one point, during the team's 2009 championship run, the pool grew to as large as $50,000. Who is truly to blame for the Saints' scandal? Certainly Williams had a role in perpetuating the bounty scheme. Payton and the players involved can't be excused either. Football is a form of entertainment. In today's fast-paced world, hard-hitting football is a must. We want to witness brute contact. We need explosive collisions that dismantle players like McCoy. The focus of the American people does not yet take into account the safety of the players involved in the sport of football. The Steelers crowd booed emphatically as Harrison was tagged with a penalty in a game, indifferent to a man twisting on the ground. If you are looking for someone to blame for the Saints' bounty scandal, perhaps we should all take a long look in the mirror. The coaches and players broke rules and endangered the livelihood of many individuals. However, perhaps it is the spectators' attitude towards the sport that also needs readjustment.
(03/26/12 4:00am)
* Medical Emergency * March 19-A party reported that two students playing basketball in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center had collided and might be injured. BEMCo responded and treated both parties on-scene with a signed refusal for further care. * March 21-A party in the Gosman lower -level training room reported that he was having trouble breathing and requested BEMCo. BEMCo treated the party on-scene. The party was transported via ambulance to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital for further care. * March 23-A reporting party stated that a female in the Spingold Theater Center fainted. University Police and BEMCo responded, and the party was transported to Newton-Wellesley Hospital via ambulance for further care. * March 25-University Police received a report of an intoxicated male student in need of medical attention in Ridgewood B. University Police responded, requesting additional officers for crowd control. The Community Development Coordinator on call also assisted. The party was treated on-scene by BEMCo with a signed refusal for further care. * Larceny * March 22-A reporting party stated that his back license plate, I20 form and vehicle registration were stolen from his vehicle one to two months ago while parked in the South Residence lot. University Police compiled a report on the theft. * Traffic * March 19--A student reported an accident at the intersection in front of the Spingold Theater Center in which there was no damage to either vehicle. There were no injuries. University Police sent to speak with the involved student and subsequently cleared the incident with no further action. * March 23-Two students arrived at the police dispatch center to report that a Crystal Shuttle bus was on fire on Loop Road in front of the University Police station. The Waltham Fire Department was notified and extinguished the fire. The Crystal bus dispatcher was notified to have the bus towed off campus as soon as possible. There were no reported injuries. * Miscellaneous * March 20-University Police encountered a white male near the rear of a Turner Street home whom they identified as a homeless person well-known by Waltham Police. University Police arrested him for trespassing after notice and transported him to the Waltham Police Department. * March 23-University Police observed a male party wearing only black underwear behind the Slosberg Recital Hall. The party fled when police attempted to stop him; police eventually apprehended the party and identified him as a student. University judicial charges will be filed. * March 24-A party reported a suspicious male party at the Foster Mods, describing him as 30-to 35-years-old with brown hair and a mustache, a sunburned face and wearing a plaid shirt. A party matching this description was found and identified by University Police as the guest of a graduate student. A check revealed that there were no warrants for the party in question. University Police took no further action. * Disturbance * March 22-University Police received a call from a Waltham resident who reported that students were yelling near Chapels Pond. Police checked the area, as well as Massell and Rosenthal Quads, and found nothing. * March 24-A reporting party stated that there appeared to be over 100 students outside the lower Foster Mods. University Police found parties in three Mods and dispersed them without incident. The CDC on call was advised of the events. * -compiled by Tate Herbert
(03/20/12 4:00am)
Though there are many different sports teams that utilize Gordon Field, one team, while lesser-known, has made its name in Brandeis athletes.
(03/20/12 4:00am)
While most careers involve the mundane numbers-crunching and marketing presentations, there exist paths to careers in business that are by no means conventional. Andrew Kahn '03 pursued one of those unconventional routes to his business career after graduating from Brandeis. Kahn began his journey into capitalism with a detour "down under." A first team all-conference outfielder and winner of the Athletic Director's Award for outstanding athletic and academic performance on Brandeis' baseball team. Kahn, however, was not ready to give up on his dream of playing baseball just yet, and so, he made the decision of a lifetime: he scraped up his savings and flew to Australia with fellow teammate Jon Brown '03 to play professional baseball for a year before returning to the United States. "It was amazing," said Kahn in a phone interview with the Justice. "[The Brandeis baseball team] had a great run in '02 and '03, making the NCAA tournaments in consecutive seasons, and Jon and I were looking to keep playing. An old Brandeis coach got us connected with the opportunity in Sydney, and so we took advantage of the opportunity to play professional baseball." "We lived out of a Suzuki Sidekick the team gave us, which we eventually had to sell because we ran it into the ground. It was an awesome experience." At Australia, Kahn got his first taste of the business world. Besides playing baseball, he and Brown ran baseball clinics at local elementary schools and gave private lessons. Following his time in Australia, Kahn decided to head back to the States. An Economics major who wrote his honors thesis on the economics of minor league baseball wanted to try his hand at sports business, reputed for its difficulty at getting a foot in the door. Luckily, a fortuitous opportunity arose with Mandalay Entertainment Group. "I had a family friend who connected me to Mandalay," he said. "They told me that if I wanted to learn the sports business the right way, I had to move to 'Frisco,' to which I replied, 'Sure, I would love to go to San Francisco. Little did I know that they meant Frisco, Texas," Kahn laughed. He worked at Mandalay for five years, eventually rising to the role of vice president of business development for the Frisco RoughRiders, managing a department of seven and $5 million in sponsorship funds. Eventually, however, Kahn's California roots tugged hard enough at his heartstrings that he began to look for a path back home. Kahn pursued his Master's in Business Administration at UCLA Anderson School of Management, graduating last spring. With the digital revolution taking place, in which many industries are forced to shift from paper to computers, a company's need to capitalize on the Internet and its many distribution channels is the norm. This has never been more true than at his current employer, Ticketmaster, where Kahn works in strategy and business development. "We are concerned about the way that the market changes," said Kahn. "We are very progressive and focusing on setting trends." His experience at Mandalay, Ticketmaster and his MBA internships at Universal Sports Network and a NYC-based hedge fund have helped Kahn learn the inner workings of business, especially in terms of strategy. "I am intimately involved in planning the strategy of our business," he said. "I work as an internal consultant, figuring out what the future of our business will be like. Mergers and acquisitions, business development, new product development, and solving general business issues are all things for which I am responsible." Just as there is uncertainty in the business world, Kahn admitted that, as a West Coast native, he was taking a chance in coming to Brandeis. "I did not know anybody and I was forced to start over in terms of making friends," he said. However, he added that Brandeis' academic strength and the camaraderie of the baseball team, where coach Varney and his teammates pushed him to become a "better teammate and person"-coupled with his decision to write a senior thesis on something that he was passionate about- proved to be key factors in career success so far. A former cartoonist for the Justice, Kahn still enjoys utilizing his creative talents in his spare time and remains an avid fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers. He admits that the best part of being in Los Angeles is the ability to surf. Just 31 years old, Kahn has had quite an illustrious career and looks to have a bright future ahead.
(03/19/12 4:00am)
A student in Forum's "Brandeis Talks Back" was misquoted. The quotation attributed to Jake Weiner '13 should have said "It should not be the only source you use when learning about Kony," not "It should be the only source you use when learning about Kony." (March 13, p.6) A photo caption in Arts mistakenly identified its subject as Malika Imhotep '15. In fact, the person pictured is a student from Harvard who attended the same event. (March 13, p. 17) A photo caption in Sports should have specified that it was a Justice file photo. (March 13, p. 12) The Justice welcomes submissions for errors that warrant correction or clarification. Email editor@thejustice.org.
(03/19/12 4:00am)
Medical Emergency March 12-A student in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center injured himself while playing Frisbee. University Police responded; the party was treated and transported via ambulance to the hospital for further care. March 15-University Police received a call stating that a female staff member at the Sherman Dining Hall was feeling faint and dizzy. BEMCo responded, and the party was treated on-scene with a signed refusal for further care. Larceny March 12-A party in the Shapiro Campus Center reported that her Apple MacBook had been stolen while she was in the bathroom either in the SCC or in Olin-Sang. University Police compiled a report on the theft. March 13-University Police compiled a report on the theft of an interface module with a value of $3,000 from the projection booth in the Usdan Student Center. The incident occurred between March 7 and 12. March 13-A party in the Shapiro Campus Center reported that his or her laptop had been stolen while unattended in an office area. A report was compiled on the theft. March 13-University Police compiled a report on the theft of cash from an unattended backpack in the Shapiro Campus Center. March 16-A party in Village C reported that his laptop, which had been left unattended, had been stolen. University Police compiled a report. March 17-A student in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center reported that her unattended laptop and camera had been stolen. University Police compiled a report on the theft. Vandalism March 13-A party reported that his vehicle, which had been parked in lower J Lot, had been vandalized. University Police compiled a report on the incident. March 14-University Police reported that the identifying number on the exterior of Ziv 130 had been spray-painted. Facilities was notified to correct the matter. Disturbance March 16-A reporting party stated that fireworks had gone off near the North Quad lot. They also stated that there are often parties in the woods near the area and requested that a consistent patrol be scheduled in the area; University Police will increase patrols there. March 18-University Police on patrol reported hearing fireworks in the area of the Carl J. Shapiro Science Center but checked the area and did not find anything. -compiled by Marielle Temkin
(03/11/12 5:00am)
As Peyton Manning rose to the podium along with Indianapolis Colts' owner Jim Irsay to address the press last week, the reporters gathered in Lucas Oil Stadium could hardly believe their eyes.
(03/11/12 5:00am)
As the fencing teams prepared for their regional championship last Sunday against Boston College, they encountered some unexpected news: Senior captain Alex Powell '12 would not be able to compete due to illness. While the setback may have derailed most other squads, the Judges pushed through the Northeast Regionals at BC, carrying two of their players to the 2012 NCAA National Collegiate Fencing Championships. Julian Cardillo '14 will be making his second trip to compete in men's foil, while Zoe Messinger '13 will duel in the women's saber division for the first time in the championships. Épéeist Harry Kaufer '13 was very impressed with the squad's performance in spite of Powell's absence. "The team very much missed Alex [Powell], who was hospitalized with pneumonia," he said. "So the day did not start off on a good note, but we powered through." Heading into the tournament as the 20th seed, Messinger advanced significantly in this weekend's regional competition, improving to an 11th place ranking, indicating great progress from her 17th place finish at Regionals last year. Messinger went 4-2 in her first round at the championships, advancing to the 16th spot. In the second round, she tied 3-3, which pushed out two other competitors who went .500, placing her in the 12th spot in the final pool. Displaying the perseverance and consistency that has been evident all season, Messinger defeated two competitors from St. John's College and BC to advance to 11th overall, one of two at-large considerations from the Northeast region. At Nationals last year, Cardillo finished 17th in foil. This weekend, he finished 10th at the NCAA Regionals. Ranked at 17th going into the competition, he closed out 3-3 in the first round, managing to qualify for the last available spot of the second round. With a 4-2 record, Cardillo moved onto the final round in ninth place. However, he squeaked into his spot at NCAAs, finishing in the finals with a 3-7 record. He finished one place ahead of fellow foilist Noah Berman '15 who showed great promise after cruising through the first round with a 4-1 mark. Berman could not clinch the seed for NCAAs, however, falling in the finals with a 2-8 record. His poor performance in the final round ultimately led to an 11th -place finish, just missing the necessary seed to qualify for NCAAs. In the men's épée, Michael Zook '13 performed admirably in place of Alex Powell '12. Zook had a performance for the Brandeis history books, jumping from a 33rd seed before Sunday's competition to an impressive 10th -place finish after the final rounds. Zook started out in the first round among the bottom 10 seeds with a 3-1 record, but tied 3-3 in the second and third round, advancing to 11th place before final play. Zook went 4-7 in the final round but still notched notable wins over three Ivy League competitors, from Harvard University, Yale University and Columbia University, advancing to 10th place overall. Despite his impressive results at the Northeast Regionals, Zook's regular season results prevented him from qualifying for the NCAA competition. Kaufer was especially impressed with Zook's persistence and level of play in his rise to the 10th seed. "Michael Zook fenced way above his projected round, making it all the way to the final round," he said. However, other fencers on both squads turned in performances not to be overlooked. Leah Mack '14 tied for 17th place in the women's épée competition, while Vikki Nunley also earned a 17th place finish in the women's foil event. Adam Mandel '15 finished 18th in the men's saber division. Sabreist Ben Schmidt '14 admired the team's performance, stating that it was a great season for both squads. "It was a good season and we came together as a team," he said. Messinger and Cardillo will travel to San Antonio to compete in the NCAA Fencing Championships from March 23 to 26. The fields for the NCAA Division III championship will be announced at some point later today. — Editor's Note: Julian Cardillo '14 is a Justice Sports staff writer.
(03/11/12 5:00am)
As the intramural basketball championship games came to a close, shouts of "T-shirt time!" erupted from the stands on the basketball courts of the Red Auerbach Arena. Taking a cue from MTV's "Jersey Shore," these Brandeis athletes showed their pride in not only the intramural championship, but the coveted T-shirts that come with it.
(03/05/12 5:00am)
Épéeist Alex Powell '12 is about to see his illustrious collegiate fencing career come to a close. He can hardly believe it, but even so, he said that he will treasure his experience.
(02/13/12 5:00am)
While Brandeis may not compete with the likes of Boston University and Boston College in the Beanpot Hockey Tournament, Zachary Meyerowitz '12, captain of the club ice hockey team, described the experience as enjoyable, yet rigorous. "It's great. We get to do what we love in a competitive but fun environment," he said. Acting as both captain and coach for the club ice hockey team, Meyerowitz learned the skills he would need to lead the club in the most competitive hockey environment of all—his native hometown of Toronto. When he studied abroad in Israel last semester, Massachussetts native Gene Arciprete '14 took charge, organizing the team for the beginning of the season in October, which will last until the playoffs in early May. Matthew Zuckerman '14 stated he enjoyed the team dynamic at work in this club. "I love it," he said. "I think we are friendly with each other. There is good team chemistry, and the team is coming along really well." The ice hockey team competes in the New England Senior Hockey League, considered to be Boston's premier adult ice hockey league with over 330 teams in Massachusetts. The Brandeis team, composed of 20 students, plays one to two games a week in the C Division at Boston University's Walter Brown Arena. The Judges began the fall season with a 1-10 record but have gotten off to a great start this spring, earning a 4-0 record since the beginning of this semester. Last Wednesday, the Judges capped their resurgence with a 7-1 victory against the NESHL Scapegoats. While only leading 2-0 going into the third period, Brandeis broke the game wide open in the remaining period, winning 7-1. Ezra Bernstein '11, a Brandeis graduate student, led the team with three goals, while Zuckerman added two goals to keep the winning streak alive. The team has high hopes for the rest of the spring season, looking to defend the division championship for the second consecutive year. While the playoffs are quickly looming for the club team, Arciprete stated that it is best for the team to enjoy the experience and focus on one game at a time. "We are just looking to have fun, play hockey and win another championship." The team will next compete Feb. 26 at Canton SportsPlex Rink against "Guns-N-Hoses," another NESHL squad.
(02/13/12 5:00am)
Medical Emergency Feb. 6—University Police received a call that a male student in the Charles River Apartments was having trouble breathing. BEMCo responded, and an ambulance was notified for transport to the hospital. Feb. 7—A student in Deroy fell in the shower, and University Police and BEMCo responded. The party was treated on-scene by BEMCo with a signed refusal for further care. Feb. 7—A student passed out while in line at Einstein Bros. Bagels. University Police and BEMCo responded; the student was transported to the Golding Health Center by University Police cruiser for further care. Feb. 8—A BEMCo member requested the on-duty BEMCo units to respond to the Shapiro Campus Center for a female with severe abdominal pains. The patient was transported via police cruiser with members of BEMCo on board to the hospital for further care. Feb. 8—A student in Ridgewood C complained of eye pain. BEMCo treated the party on-scene with a signed refusal for further care. Feb. 9—A reporting party stated that his roommate had been drinking alcohol and was vomiting. University Police and BEMCo responded; the party was treated on-scene with a signed refusal for further care. Feb. 9—A student in the Usdan Student Center called University Police and reported that a student was having an allergic reaction on the ground floor between the Provisions on Demand Market and the mailroom. BEMCo was sent and an ambulance was requested; the student was not transported to the hospital. Feb. 10—A student swimming in the pool in the Joseph M. Linsey Sports Center was kicked in the face. BEMCo treated the party on-scene with a signed refusal for further care. Feb. 11—A caller reported a female party was vomiting in Hassenfeld Residence Hall. The party was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital by University Police cruiser with BEMCo staff on board. Feb. 12—A party in Village B reported feeling ill. BEMCo treated the party on-scene with a signed refusal for further care. Harassment Feb. 6—A party reported that an upset driver followed her to campus. University Police stopped the vehicle and spoke with the operator. Feb. 11—A student in Shapiro Residence Hall reported receiving harassing phone calls on his cell phone. University Police compiled a report. Larceny Feb. 9—A party came into the police station to report the theft of her backpack, which had been left unattended, from the kitchen area in the Usdan Café. University Police compiled a report on the theft. Disturbance Feb. 11—University Police dispersed a party of over 100 students from the Foster Mods. The party was not registered; University Judicial charges will be filed. Feb. 12—Waltham Police Department received a 911 call of a large fight behind Renfield Hall. No weapons were involved, but a taxi driver was one of the fighting parties. The WPD sent units to the scene, in addition to University Police units. The police found a taxi driver who reported a fare evasion. University Police handled the matter, and WPD units were cleared. Feb. 12—A party in the Foster Mods reported a loud party. University Police found five people in the area; they were advised to quiet down, which they did without incident. —compiled by Marielle Temkin
(02/13/12 5:00am)
A caption in Sports incorrectly stated that a photo was taken at the Reggie Poyau Invitational on Jan. 12, 2010. In fact, the photo was captured at the event on the same date in 2011. (Feb. 7, p. 15) The Justice welcomes submissions for errors that warrant correction or clarification. Email editor@thejustice.org.
(02/13/12 5:00am)
How real is reality television? I was skeptical of the authenticity of what I saw as tabloid television, until this past summer, when I had the chance to go behind the scenes and see the making of an episode of Redemption Inc., Shark Tank star and billionaire extraordinaire Kevin O'Leary's new show. Thinking of Jersey Shore, The Hills and Survivor, I found that even my friends who religiously follow the lives of Snookie, Lauren Conrad and The Tribes still question the validity of the scenarios and scenes on the shows. Of course, hours upon hours of footage are shot and the producer must maximize the drama and stay true to the concept all in a 45-minute block. As a part of that whittling down, rumors purport that scenes occasionally need to be tweaked or manipulated. Although this may be true for other programs, my experience with Redemption Inc. felt mostly authentic. The show is the brainchild of multi-billionaire entrepreneur Kevin O'Leary and British company Wide Eyed Entertainment and follows 10 recently freed ex-cons as they try to persevere through challenges in hopes of a chance at true redemption with a $100,000 start-up investment along with support and personal mentorship by O'Leary. Over nine episodes and many unique challenges, including taking over a carwash and detailing center, selling charity tickets at a major sporting event and running a swanky art show, contestants are driven to work as a unified team while competing to be top-dog every week. Imagine The Apprentice with a twist and a boss as equally unforgiving and ruthless as Donald Trump. Throughout the series, the ex-cons, convicted for crimes concerning drugs, weapons, abuse and money laundering, are put to the test as team participants and leaders. Unlike any other show, however, each week the weakest participant still gets the chance for some redemption with a package offer including educational scholarships, life-coach training and resources to help them continue to foster their entrepreneurial spirit. The ultimate decision comes down to the last few minutes of the show where the contestant can pick the package and leave the show or risk it all and continue as a contestant without any future considerations. They can keep playing to win, but if they are in the bottom again, they give up any package the next time they lose and go home empty-handed. My experience with Redemption Inc. began much earlier in the summer at a Canadian-based bath, body and cosmetic products company called Upper Canada Soap. I worked in the marketing department as the social media and e-commerce coordinator put in charge of boosting online views while working with a team to help revamp the website. On a day-to-day basis, my work consisted of gathering information on the benefits of ingredients such as maple syrup, goji berry and vanilla for the skin and asking poignant questions to our loyal followers such as: "What is your favorite scent to put on every morning?" and "How do you fight the midweek work blues?" Around mid-July, one of the show's producers contacted Upper Canada Soap with a proposition to make the company a part of a new reality series by designing a challenge for the ex-cons participating in the show. My dad—company President Stephen Flatt—asked me if the show was worth pursuing. I responded with an enthusiastic "YES!" As a regular entertainment enthusiast, the chance to fuse my job with an opportunity for insight into the television world was quite exciting. After signing waivers and conducting a couple creative meetings between the producers, my dad and Director of Marketing Chantelle Tersigni, the details were worked out and filming was ready to begin. The task at hand was for the six remaining contestants to work together to design a product that transcended Upper Canada Soap's female-centric lines, a three-product men's line. They were in charge of every aspect of the super-streamlined two-day product development—from target market, to logo, to fragrance and bottle design. Seeing multiple cameras take over a workplace was one thing, but to actually see the drama unfold was a whole other ballgame. During lunch breaks on both days in the office, I spoke with the contestants and heard a lot of their personal stories and experiences on the show. Somewhat surprisingly, each contestant was frank about his or her background—whether crack dealer or financial schemer—and honestly seemed to want to get the second chance the show promised. We think about society abandoning ex-cons after they do their time, but all of the six people I met legitimately wanted to make their lives—and the world— better. While each of the contestants was extremely nice and appeared fairly down-to-earth off-camera, they still were always thinking about the competition as tensions rose and allegiances started to form. Despite being on a unified team, the feelings of the contestants from day one to day two quickly intensified. All the drama that is seen onscreen from the comfort of your couch is 100 percent true, and they needed to cut out a lot of additional material. I listened to the one-on-one testimonials of the ex-cons between challenge tasks and, at the end of the day, I really got to hear every piece of the puzzle come together while getting inside the minds of the contestants on the show. Seeing the product—labeled "Alpha M"—go from an idea into an actual three-product line in just two days was pretty remarkable, but the true action happened on the final day of the shoot in the Redemption Inc. boardroom. Meeting up with O'Leary, we talked about the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate and I moved to the control room to see where the magic happens. The three days of shooting accumulated over 20 hours of footage overall, and I couldn't wait to see the final product air on television two Mondays ago. After watching the episode, it was surreal reliving what seems to me to be highlights of a lengthy and unique experience behind the scenes. The producer did an excellent job taking the main excitement and making it prevalent while highlighting Upper Canada Soap and all its brand names and products. There were even some twists in the episode that we didn't have the chance to see during the filming process, making it all the more exciting to watch. So how real is reality television? Its entertainment comes not in the situations the contestants face, but in something much more basic—human nature. By pulling up the veil and seeing the good, the bad and the ugly of the entire experience, I not only was able to help be a part of an exciting time for Upper Canada Soap, but I got to re-examine my own relationship with reality television. Now I don't see it as just "tabloid television," despite its inherent voyeuristic nature, but instead a character drama with real people I can support, hate, love and follow. All it took was a little time on the other side of the camera for me to truly understand the synergy that is the "reality" and "television" in the ever-popular medium. Plus, if nothing else, it made for an exciting week at work. Nothing says marketing like an hour on national television.
(02/06/12 5:00am)
At its March meeting, the Board of Trustees will be discussing the budget for the fiscal 2013. The administration will give the board a list of their top-priority projects to which it believes money should be allocated. At the faculty meeting that took place last Thursday, the faculty representative to the Board of Trustees reported that the University has now deferred $170 million in renovations. In light of the upcoming budget decisions, we urge the administration and the Board of Trustees to keep in mind the following renovation projects, as their upkeep greatly affects living standards students: While Usen Castle's primary function on this campus is to house sophomores, it is also an undeniably significant landmark for Brandeis. Built in 1928, it is the oldest building on campus and a major selling point for the Office of Admissions. An article in U.S. News and World Report named the Castle as one of "8 Cool College Dorms." But what Admissions does not tell potential students and what U.S. News does not know is that the Castle is in a serious state of disrepair. In January 2011, multiple students reported that their rooms in the Castle were leaking, and one student reported that "it was raining in my room" in a February 2011 interview with the Justice. Approximately 120 sophomores live in the Castle each year, making it a prominent and unavoidable residence hall for some students. The building is also host to two social venues. Multiple clubs host coffeehouses at Cholmondeley's each semester in order to raise money and awareness for their respective causes. The Punk, Rock n' Roll club and WBRS often bring bands to play at Chum's. Any club can rent the space for whatever use they wish. There is also the Castle Commons where events, meetings, activities and even classes—currently the Peace, Conflict, and Coexistence Studies class "Inner Peace and Outer Peace"—are held. Because the disrepair of the Castle is fairly well known among students, it has become one of the least-desirable dorms on campus. Though it would be a expensive project, it is one that the administration should not put off any longer and make its top priority during 2013 in order to continue housing students in a safe dorm and protect the Castle from falling into disrepair. Other buildings are also in undesirable straits. Another sophomore dorm—East Quad—would benefit from the administration's attention. Though East is not falling apart like the Castle is, students hold it in low esteem. In order to make the dorm that houses the majority of the sophomore class more appealing, bathroom renovations and modern updates should be considered in order to increase the general standard of living in East. This would improve the housing situation for nearly 400 students. Similar repairs should be made in most first-year residence halls updating bathrooms, lighting fixtures and kitchens. The recent interior renovations have made the Charles River Apartments a more desirable dorm. The bathrooms in the Foster Mods were renovated over this past summer. Now that the pool in the Joseph M. Linsey Sports Center has been repaired, the administration can turn its attention toward fixing more dorms, because the majority of students live on campus and would benefit tremendously from these upgrades.
(02/06/12 5:00am)
Fencing may not be the most highlighted sport, but as sabreist Zoe Messinger '13 noted, there is only one sport where athletes get to "play with swords."
(02/06/12 5:00am)
Medical Emergency Jan. 31—A reporting party stated that a female who was holding a glass bottle outside Ridgewood A fell, causing a laceration to her hand. University Police and BEMCo responded; the party was treated on-scene with a signed refusal for further care. Feb. 3—University Police received a call that a male in the Joseph M. Linsey Sports Center pool was not feeling well, though he was conscious and alert. The police officers on scene reported that the pool water was too hot, and they would be closing the pool for the rest of the evening. BEMCo treated the party with a signed refusal for further care. Feb. 4—BEMCo responded to a report of a cut finger in Sherman Dining Hall. The party was treated on-scene by BEMCo and transported via ambulance to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital for further care. Traffic Jan. 31—University Police received a report that a University vehicle hit a wall near the Harlan Chapel on the previous day. The police compiled a report on the accident. Jan. 31—A reporting party stated that he backed up into a parked car. University Police compiled a report on the accident. Feb. 1—A motor vehicle accident was reported in the rear parking lot of the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. BEMCo went to the scene of the accident, and all units were cleared with signed patient refusals on any injuries that may have arisen. The accident involved an Escort van and a sedan. University Police compiled a report. Feb. 1—University Police received a report of a past motor vehicle accident that took place between the Usen Castle and the Usdan Student Center; they compiled a report on the accident. Larceny Feb. 1—A student in the Foster Mods reported that her wallet was stolen from Mod 33. There were no suspects; University Police compiled a report on the theft. Miscellaneous Feb. 2—The community development coordinator reported having made contact with a student in possession of marijuana and smoking materials. University Police confiscated the contraband, and the CDC will seek judicial charges. Feb. 4—University Police assisted the Waltham Police at an off-campus property with an intoxicated female Brandeis student. The student was transported via ambulance to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital for further care. —compiled by Marielle Temkin
(02/06/12 5:00am)
The pool in the Joseph M. Linsey Sports Center was closed Friday evening after University Police received a report of a person "not feeling well" after swimming in the pool, according to a Feb. 3 police log entry. The entry states that the on-scene officers deemed the temperature of the water "too hot."
(01/30/12 5:00am)
With a lack of University Athletic Association competition during the season, the fencing squads have to use other top schools to see how they stack up against the rest of the nation.
(01/30/12 5:00am)
Although the attention of many American sports fans has been directed toward the upcoming Super Bowl, the United States' Men's and Women's National Soccer teams made a bold statement to fans last week, defeating Panama and Costa Rica respectively.
