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Views on the News: Brian Meehan

On April 5, Brandeis University fired men’s basketball coach Brian Meehan hours before the release of a Deadspin article detailing Meehan’s history of racist and unprofessional behavior and the University’s failure to address a formal complaint lodged by several players. University President Ron Liebowitz announced that the school has brought in an independent counsel to fully investigate the University’s process for handling complaints. How should the University handle the fallout from Meehan’s conduct, and what steps should be taken to ensure a fair and equal campus for all students? 

Urge University to rethink staff accountability system

In light of the recent firing of men’s basketball coach Brian Meehan, this board urges the University to fulfill its obligation to the community by expanding its efforts to ensure every member’s right to be heard, as well as by furthering the goal of expanding fairness and inclusion on campus.

Promote adoption of universal basic income program

In March 2016, the Canadian province Ontario set out on an experiment to see whether the implementation of an universal basic income would help those affected by poverty. According to Ontario’s site for its Basic Income Pilot program, a basic income is “a payment to eligible couples or individuals that ensures a minimum income level, regardless of employment status.” Basic income differs from other social assistance programs in that it can be “given to anyone who meets the income eligibility criterion” of being unemployed or earning under CAN $34,000 annually, is “generally simpler to administer” because payments can be made through a tax credit model, and can consolidate separate welfare programs into one payment system. 

Criticize lax response to administrative racism at Brandeis

Last Monday, three members of the Brandeis administration stood before a town hall of students, professors, faculty, staff and alumni of Brandeis University to discuss the investigation of basketball coach Brian Meehan, in the wake of an April 5 Deadspin article that revealed numerous derogatory practices. This town hall’s efficacy was as dubious as any town hall, but it has opened the floor to a nuanced discussion about what Brandeis stands for and the value of diverse voices on campus.

Views on the News: Tariffs

Criticize harmful national origin data collection bill

The Connecticut legislature held a March 8 hearing on Senate Bill 359, an act that called for banning ethnic subgroup data disaggregation in the Connecticut education system. As a Ph.D. candidate in Social Policy who studies mental health and trauma,  I was invited by the bill’s supporters to testify on the damage a potential data collection program would impose on students, parents and teachers. 

Consider market ramifications of US-North Korea tension

Since Kim Jong-un took leadership of North Korea after his father, Kim Jong-il, died in 2011, North Korea has been conducting heavy research on nuclear tests and missiles. Some analysts argue that their fierce rhetoric on nuclear power is just to strengthen their international standing, but their motives remain in question. Whatever the purpose is, the ramp-up is creating anxieties.

Condemn Facebook’s lax attitude toward user information theft

With the exception of the extremely lucky or reclusive, most of us have ended up being tied up in the giant human tapestry known as Facebook at some point. The California-based tech company and the namesake social media platform it operates have become an almost indispensable component of our lives.

Promote questioning of repressive traditions and establishments

When we question ourselves, the world and one another, sometimes, we turn things around. As a result of this questioning, there have been bold revolutions and major breakthroughs in fields such as philosophy, science, politics or the law.

Condemn racism and divisiveness in political conversation

Less than two weeks ago, LeBron James and Kevin Durant were in an interview with Cari Champion from ESPN, in which LeBron criticized Donald Trump. According to a Feb. 19 NPR article, Laura Ingraham, a pundit for Fox News, responded to James’ comments by saying, among other things, “shut up and dribble,” and “must they run their mouths?” 

Caution against ‘walk up, not out’ approach to gun violence

On Sunday, a package bomb detonated in Austin, Texas and injured two unnamed men, making it the fourth incident of its kind this month, according to a March 19 Washington Post article. Fortunately, the two men suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but the same cannot be said for the victims of the first three explosions. The first three incidents killed 39-year-old Anthony Stephan House, 17-year-old Draylen Mason and an seriously injured an unnamed 75-year-old woman. In these three cases, the packages were placed on the individuals’ doorsteps at night rather than being delivered through a postal service according to a March 19 CNN article. These occurrences, right on the heels of the 48 mass shootings that have occurred in the United States since the beginning of this year, shed light on a bigger nationwide problem. Be it gun violence or bomb attacks, domestic terrorism is the problem plaguing the country and appropriate action is not being taken. 

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Consider the risks involved in online grocery expansion

In a Jan. 26 China News Service article, several industry researchers and CEOs expressed their concern about the lack of growth in the e-commerce industry. “The bonus generated by online expanding doesn't exist anymore,” said Xing Wang, the CEO of Meituan, the biggest tech firm providing group buying and crowd-sourced review services in China. 

Views on the News: Tillerson's Firing

On March 13, President Donald Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and indicated he would nominate current CIA Director Mike Pompeo as his replacement, according to the New York Times. Tillerson’s firing comes at a crucial time, as the United States prepares to enter peace talks with North Korea and investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. How do you think Tillerson’s firing might affect the current administration, and what does it say for the future of U.S. foreign policy? 

EDITORIAL: Recognize staff safety efforts during winter storm

As a result of the latest snowstorm, facilities and public safety staff members spent countless hours trying to keep our campus safe and accessible to all students and faculty members, something this board applauds.

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EDITORIAL: Support Hannah Brown ’19 for Student Union President

Though Hannah Brown ’19 is running unopposed in the 2018 Student Union presidential election, her wealth of experience in the Union, comprehensive platform and knowledge of how to bring her visions to reality make her a natural choice. As such, this board chooses to endorse her as the next Union president.

Views on the News: YouTube

On March 3, the New York Times reported that YouTube had launched a large-scale crackdown on misleading and inflammatory content, with thousands of conspiracy and far-right videos being removed from the website. Dealing with deceptive content has become a pressing issue for companies like Facebook and Google, whose services have been widely used as a platform for spreading misinformation and organizing hate groups. Should tech companies take steps to curb malicious content on their platforms, or should free speech remain paramount?  

EDITORIAL: Call for transparency in housing accommodation process

With housing lottery numbers to be released soon, this board urges the University to re-evaluate this year’s process in order to make it more transparent for students, specifically regarding special housing accommodations.