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Taking advantage of opportunities and supporting student organizers

Founded in 1952 by Leonard Bernstein, the Festival of the Arts, named in his honor, has become an annual showcase of talent. Composer, pianist and educator, Bernstein was not only a member of the Brandeis faculty but a renowned musician and conductor.  His goal was to make art visible and accessible to all and thus the Festival of the Arts now aims to continue his dream. Everything from performances and selling art to sustainability tours and exhibitions, the Festival is a great way to bring the Waltham community and Brandeis closer. The Festival features a wide range of artists, performers and vendors, making it an ideal engagement for people of all ages.Debuting in 2021, the Create@Brandeis Craft Market is one of the more innovative events which attracts students and community members alike. The Market is held semesterly but particularly in the spring, gaining so much traction as a space where students and community members can sell their various handmade arts and crafts. However many events, talks and exhibitions receive a low-turnout. This is shocking considering how numerous the Brandeis student body is and just how many students have a passion for the arts.

Letter to the class of 2028

Dear students of the class of 2028,

The devil’s advocate: Debating the Law of Gravity

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Context on Zionism and the war in Gaza

While for many on this campus it remains constantly in our minds, the recent vigil held by Students Justice in Palestine has brought the war in Gaza back into the center of discussion on campus. 

Navigating Your Next Move: The Ultimate Brandeis Housing Guide

Now that housing selection for the 2024-25 school year has passed, Brandeis students may be wondering what the next year will look like depending on where they’re living. This week, the board would like to provide the student body with an honest take on what the available housing options are like, as well as some advice for rising sophomores. A lot of housing options on campus are not always as bad as people say. 

An expression of outrage on Campus: Posse Plus Retreat

On March 3, over 80 Brandeis Posse scholars, their guests, called “pluses,” and various faculty members attended the annual Posse Plus Retreat held at the Sons of Italy Function Hall in Watertown. TheBrandeis’s website, the Posse Program is described as a “merit-based scholarship program.” As Posse scholars, students are “expected to be not only strong students but also demonstrate outstanding interpersonal and problem-solving skills,” with an emphasis on leadership skills. These attributes were all evident at the retreat titled, “Education Recalculated,'' which ended up focusing on various troubling topics pertaining to Brandeis University. 

Thank you from the editorial board

Since the founding of The Justice newspaper in 1949, student journalists have worked diligently to cover topics that are important to the Brandeis and Waltham community. From our coverage of the 11 day sit-in for equity and inclusion at Ford Hall to the Brandeis workers protest, the paper has been a consistent and reliable source for students and community members to turn to. The production of the paper is not always easy; it requires dedication and mustering through the late nights of editing and revising. However, if you ask our staff they would say it’s worth it. To hold the final copy of the paper in our hands, to see people on campus flipping through every page is incredibly gratifying. Over the years, The Justice has received recognition from Columbia University’s journalism program, Change.org, the Boston Globe and more. It not only has been able to reach Brandeis but serve the general public as well. 

'Killers of the Flower Moon' and Hollywood's ongoing struggle for representation

The Oscars, with their glamorous red carpets and golden statuettes, serve as pinnacle of recognition in U.S. cinema. Yet, they are much more than a mere ceremony; they symbolize a cultural moment and a snapshot of the narratives that captivate audiences and capture the imagination of the industry. They are a reflection of the ever-evolving landscape of filmmaking, where stories become vessels for societal commentary and artistic expression. In the case of Martin Scorsese's magnum opus, "Killers of the Flower Moon," its journey from Osage County to the stage of the Academy Awards mirrors a broader narrative of Indigenous representation in Hollywood.

It’s time to talk about campus jobs

For many students at Brandeis University, securing employment on campus is not just a matter of earning extra spending money or gaining valuable work experience. It’s a necessity, a means to help offset the ever-rising costs of higher education and to make ends meet. However, for those without the coveted Work-Study aid, the path to employment is often fraught with obstacles, frustrations and a concerning lack of transparency and equity. This editorial aims to dissect these issues, emphasizing the need for equitable employment opportunities and recognition of student contributions to the University's branding and operations.

Waiting for a bus that never shows? You might be a Brandeis student.

When searching for the perfect school, campus tours are an irreplaceable resource. But what happens when the information given on these tours is false? If you have walked around campus and spotted a tour outside the Usdan Student Center, you have probably heard boasts about the Waltham and Boston/Cambridge shuttle services. While guides often praise the shuttle’s reliability, this is not the experience of most Brandeis students. 

Historical hyper sexualization of Asian women in Western film

Ever since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian Americans have become the target of racism and hate crimes. We have become numb to the numerous accounts of violence against Asian American communities, especially elders. On  March 16 2021, eight people at three massage parlors were shot to death at the Gold Spa in Atlanta, six of whom were Asian. All but one was a woman. In the gunman's words, his actions were "not racially motivated," but caused by "sexual addiction." Deeply hurt and in disbelief of such a tragedy, I became interested in the aspects that made Asian American women particularly vulnerable to media sexualization.

Transparency and trust in outreach to incoming students

As college admissions decisions are being released, Brandeis has been abuzz with campus tours and upcoming admitted student days. The University works very hard to curate a specific image for all prospective students during these events, showing them the nicest buildings and sparing no expenses. However, as first-year students begin their Brandeis journeys, they are often disappointed, causing many to consider alternative higher education pathways, including transferring to other institutions.

An look at Brandeis student experience and what needs to change

Whether we choose to admit it or not, a university’s prestige matters greatly to students and faculty when considering their enrollment or employment. However, one look at Brandeis’ Niche reviews and the message is clear. Our C-minus-rated student life and D-minus-rated dorms are not a positive reflection on who we wish to be as a school. What was once envisioned as a nurturing environment for students has devolved into a landscape of neglect and systemic frustration.

The Devil's Advocate: Debating Further Ukraine Aid

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Incredible inventors and their illuminating inventions

Incredible inventors and their illuminating inventions

All talk, no action

On Feb. 6, the students of the course “Black Brandeis, Black History” (AAAS) led a teach-in about Angela Davis ’65 at the Mandel Center of Humanities Forum. The teach-in — which centered the life and activist work of one of Brandeis’ most famed alumni — prompted student and audience discussion about the University’s public treatment of Davis. The overwhelming sentiment was that Davis’ work has historically gone unrecognized by the University and is only acknowledged in a performative context. One student commented on Davis not being invited to speak at the 75th anniversary weekend. Another criticized the University's tendency to pick and choose which causes to align itself with depending on what is most “in vogue” and uncontroversial at the time.

The University is constantly lagging in accessibility

Accessible infrastructure and quality accessibility support services are essential for a campus to be inclusive and welcoming to students with disabilities. However, the University has been slow to implement more accessibility renovations and to staff the Student Accessibility Support Office. This board believes that helping students with disabilities thrive on campus needs to be a higher priority for the administration. Brandeis often advertises itself as an institution that champions social justice and fosters a diverse student body. However, an inaccessible campus demonstrates that more progress is needed in order to honor these values. 

Shades of Security: A Black American student’s reflection on race in Europe

At the beginning of Black History Month, the interesting quirks of my experiences as a Black individual studying abroad in the south of France unravel, revealing both the subtle and glaring nuances of racism in Europe. 

Administrative turnover: Addressing understaffing challenges

Empowering Student Engagement: Reducing Administrative Barriers at Brandeis University