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This past summer, a committee implemented an online writing assessment for the Class of 2015, to replace the in-class assessment that was previously administered on the first day of all University Writing Seminar classes.
The 2-year-old lawsuit that was brought against the University by four Rose Art Museum overseers concerning its management of the museum during the 2009 financial crisis has been settled, according to a BrandeisNOW press release. "The settlement agreement, which brings to an end all claims concerning management of the Rose and the potential sale of artwork, states that the Rose is, and will remain a university art museum open to the public and that Brandeis has no plan to sell artwork," the press release stated. In an interview with the Justice, University President Frederick Lawrence said that the University will now focus on the museum's upcoming 50th anniversary by exposing the Rose to the outside world through traveling exhibitions of artwork typically on display at the Rose. According to the settlement agreement provided to the Justice by Senior Vice President for Communications and External Affairs Andrew Gully, Lawrence and the plaintiffs "engaged in a series of constructive and collegial conversations" about the museum and its future. They settled the dispute on the terms that the museum will remain open to the public; professionally staffed and committed to "collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting fine art"; hire a director with expertise in modern and contemporary art; and that the University will have no plans or intent to sell any of the artwork. Then-University President Jehuda Reinharz formed a search committee to recruit a new director for the Rose on Sept. 16, 2010, according to a Sept. 21 Justice article. Now that the lawsuit is settled, Lawrence said that the University is able to truly move forward and "focus on the selection of a top-tier ... director." In addition, the settlement agreement does not require Brandeis to make monetary payments to any of the plaintiffs; it must only uphold the agreement and act in the best interests of the museum and its future. The plaintiffs in the suit were members of the Rose Board of Overseers Meryl Rose, Jonathan Lee, Lois Foster and Gerald Fineberg. Their claims against the University have been dismissed by the Suffolk Probate and Family Court in Boston, and the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General terminated its review of the University on June 20. All of the plaintiffs agreed in the settlement to "release and relinquish their claims in the Action," meaning that they will no longer pursue legal action against Brandeis. In the case of Fineberg and his wife Sandra, who are funding current renovations to the museum aimed at making the building more energy efficient and aesthetically pleasing, the University agreed to double the size of a plaque that recognizes the Finebergs' donation and display the plaque more prominently in the museum. In an interview with the Justice, Lee said that he was happy with the settlement. "I would certainly say I am getting what I want, which is the assurance that the University is not going to sell its art," said Lee. According to Lee, Lawrence was directly involved in the settlement decision. "He's agreed not to sell any of the art and he wants to get an appropriate museum director hired and he wants to restore the Rose to its glory, if you will," said Lee. "So all of this is good news to my ears." The dispute began in January 2009, when the Board of Trustees voted to authorize the sale of artwork from the museum if necessary, according to the press release. The Justice reported in an Oct. 20, 2009 article that "the lawsuit ... seeks to maintain the Rose collection by stating that the University's decision to close it and sell its paintings would violate museum ethical codes. ... [It] also states that the University's decision violates its commitment to the Rose family to maintain the museum solely as a public museum." This authorization was made in an effort to help Brandeis cope with an endowment that had been severely diminished during the financial crisis, according to The New York Times. The Board's 2009 decision drew national attention and criticism, and the University ultimately sold no artwork. In March, Brandeis announced widespread renovations to the Museum, funded by the Finebergs. In an email to the Justice, Prof. Ellen Schattschneider (ANTH) wrote, "I am enormously relieved to learn of the settlement between Brandeis … and the plaintiffs in the Rose lawsuit. ... Many of us on the faculty are looking forward to a close working relationship with the Museum, which is so vital to the special intellectual and cultural missions of Brandeis." About the financial situation that led to the decision to sell artwork and the resulting lawsuit, Lee said, "It was an unfortunate road that we all had to go down. I'm just pleased that it's over and that it's come out the way that it has. You don't want museums to be at risk of losing the stuff that reminds us of where we've been and what we are as a society because of a short term financial problem. This lawsuit has established that for a wider audience." —Emily Kraus and Sara Dejene contributed reporting. Editor's note: This is an updated version of the article originally posted online June 30.
The 2-year-old lawsuit that was brought against the University by four Rose Art Museum overseers concerning its management of the museum during the 2009 financial crisis has been settled, according to a BrandeisNOW press release.
The Justice is the independent student newspaper of Brandeis University. Operated, written, produced and published entirely by students, the Justice includes news, features, arts, opinion and sports articles of interest to approximately 3,100 undergraduates, 800 graduate students, 500 faculty and 1,000 administrative staff.
UPDATEDCorrection appendedDavid Brooks, an op-ed columnist for The New York Times, will be the keynote speaker at Brandeis' 60th commencement Sunday, May 22, according to a campuswide e-mail from University President Frederick Lawrence. In an interview with the Justice, Senior Vice President for Communications and External Affairs Andrew Gully said that Grammy Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma will perform at the ceremony. Honorary degrees will also be awarded to Thomas Buergenthal, former member of the International Court of Justice; federal judge Judge Nancy Gertner; Academy Award-winning filmmaker Errol Morris and University President Emeritus Jehuda Reinharz, in addition to Brooks and Ma.Brooks began as a columnist at The New York Times in 2003 and has been a senior editor at The Weekly Standard and a contributing editor at Newsweek and the Atlantic Monthly, according to The New York Times. In an interview with the Justice, Lawrence said, "I think [Brooks] is an extraordinary, thoughtful public intellectual. Sometimes I agree with him, sometimes I don't, but I always find him interesting and thought-provoking."Gully wrote in an e-mail to the Justice, "Any members of the university community can nominate a candidate for honorary degrees. A committee of faculty, trustees and staff review all nominations and submits a narrowed list to the Board of Trustees for review and approval." According to Gully, the president selects the commencement speaker from that narrowed list.Brooks is also currently a commentator on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, NPR's All Things Considered and The Diane Rehm Show. Brooks authored several books, of which the most recent, The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement, was published in March. Ma is "strongly committed to educational programs that bring young audiences into contact with music and go beyond that by allowing them to participate in its creation," according to BrandeisNOW.According to The New York Times, Ma is "one of the preeminent classical musicians in the world" and has made more than 75 albums and won 15 Grammy Awards.Following the announcement regarding the commencement honorees, Andy Hogan '11 created a Facebook event titled "Let's Ask Yo-Yo Ma to Play at Graduation"; last year, musician and honorary degree recipient Paul Simon played at commencement after a similar student-led effort. In an April 15 interview with the Justice, Gully said that Ma would play at the commencement ceremony. According to Gully, University officials had already discussed the possibility of a performance with Ma before the Facebook group was formed; however, Gully said that Ma "would be glad" that students were looking forward to his performance.Buergenthal "is considered one of the world's leading international human rights experts," according to BrandeisNOW. He survived the Holocaust, and authored or co-authored over a dozen books, according to the George Washington University Law School website.He served on the International Court of Justice in The Hague from 2000 to 2010. Buergenthal served as dean of Washington College of Law at American University and had endowed professorships at the University of Texas and Emory University, where he was also the director of the Human Rights Program of the Carter Center, according to the GWU website. Gertner, a federal judge since 1994, will retire from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in September and will then become a professor at Harvard Law School, according to BrandeisNOW.She has also taught at Yale Law School, Harvard Law School, Boston College Law School and the Boston University Law School.Morris "is widely recognized as one of the world's best and most innovative filmmakers," according to BrandeisNOW. He won the 2003 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for The Fog of War, a profile of former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara.Morris has screened his films at the University in years past; last semester, he spoke and held a preview screening for his documentary Tabloid.Reinharz was the seventh president of the University and is a scholar in the field of Jewish history. He received his Ph.D. in modern Jewish history from Brandeis in 1972 and established the program in Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan. Reinharz served on the Brandeis faculty from 1982 until he became the provost in 1991. He was named president of the University in 1994 and served in that capacity until Lawrence succeeded him on Jan. 1, 2011. According to BrandeisNOW, "Reinharz has awarded more honorary Brandeis degrees to other people than anyone in university history save founding President Abram L. Sachar." Sara Dejene and Emily Kraus contributed reporting.This is an updated version of the article originally published April 13th.Correction: This article formerly misstated a quotation. University President Frederick Lawrence said "Sometimes I agree with [Brooks], sometimes I don't," not "Sometimes I agree with [Brooks]. I don't."
University faculty discussed the status and future of the Justice Brandeis Semester program at last Thursday's faculty meeting, at which Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe led a discussion about what is still considered a pilot program.In an interview with the Justice, Jaffe explained that despite this discussion, the program is not being changed but simply being reviewed. "It was brought up at the faculty meeting because the faculty asked for an update, . and we're still in sort of a pilot phase. I think eventually we will make some decisions about whether we want to continue it in its current form or perhaps make some changes, but there's nothing imminent," he said.Senior Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences Elaine Wong wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that there is currently "no need to refocus [the program], as JBS was always a signature [experiential learning] opportunity." Jaffe explained that JBS allows students to engage in a more intensive experiential learning program that would not be possible "within the confines of the normal academic calendar . when they're taking three other courses from three other professors."JBS was originally planned as a program that would allow students to study off campus during the fall semester for a semester, reducing the strain on campus resources due to a growing student population, according to the original proposal. A March 6, 2009 Justice article explained that, according to Jaffe, "the proposals were passed in an effort to increase Brandeis' applicant pool to 1,000 over the next four years and increase the undergraduate student body by 100 students per year for four years." According to the minutes from the March 5, 2009 faculty meeting, where the JBS proposal was introduced, Prof. Sacha Nelson (BIOL), who co-chaired the subcommittee of the Curriculum and Academic Restructuring Steering Committee responsible for developing JBS, stated that "the motivation for this [JBS] proposal is the additional 100 students/year and how it affects housing, dining and classrooms." The JBS program was originally passed in a first reading at a faculty meeting on March 5, 2009 meeting and in a second reading one week later. The March 6, 2009 Justice article noted that faculty expressed concern that the JBS proposal had been brought to a vote prematurely. "I don't think many of us know what we're voting for," Prof. Mary Baine Campbell (ENG) said during the discussion at the March 5, 2009 meeting.Jaffe said in his interview that moving students off campus for a semester is no longer a goal of the program. "We pretty much decided that the JBS as a mechanism for getting students off campus doesn't work. So we have given up on that objective as through the JBS program," he said.Jaffe also said that there has been discussion regarding the number of JBS programs being offered. "Some [faculty] thought that we'd like to be offering more than we have been, but also some question whether the demand is there for more, so that's up in the air," he said.He explained that another point of discussion is the current structure of the program. The current program is worth 12 credits, though the possibility of an eight-credit program is currently under consideration, which would be "less expensive but also less intense," said Jaffe.At Thursday's meeting, the faculty discussed possible reasons the JBS program has not been as popular as they had originally expected, including the cost and timing of the program."It's clear that that cost is one of the reasons why more students aren't interested. So that's one of the things we're thinking about . if we wanted to get more students interested," Jaffe said.Wong explained in her e-mail that the cost of a summer JBS is currently set at 75 percent of the cost of a normal Brandeis semester tuition, though financial aid is available. She also wrote that normal summer classes are charged by course. According to the Office of Student Financial Services website, tuition for the 2011 to 2012 academic year is $20,257 per semester. Three-quarters of that amount is $15,192.75, for 12 credits or $1,266.06 per credit. According to the Brandeis Summer School website, tuition for the summer 2011 semester will be $2,160 for a four-credit lecture course, or $540 per credit, and $1,450 for a two-credit lab course, or $725 per credit.Jaffe also pointed out that "for summer programs, there's just a lot of different things that students either like to do or need to do in the summer, and [JBS] may not fit in." Jaffe said in his interview with the Justice that the current discussions will not affect this year's program four JBS offerings but that "whether we would make any changes for the following year will be decided over the next 6 [to] 8 months."JBS Program Manager Alyssa Grinberg wrote in an e-mail to the Justice, "As we move forward with the four JBS offerings in 2011, we will continue to assess the programs and their impacts."-Fiona Lockyer and Sara Dejene contributed reporting.
The search committee for the next senior vice president for Students and Enrollment has been formed and will begin the process of searching for someone to fill that position, according to a Jan. 28 campuswide e-mail from University President Frederick Lawrence.The position has been vacant since former Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Jean Eddy's departure at the end of Sept. 2010. According to a Dec. 7, 2010 Justice article, the ad-hoc Administrative Structure Advisory Committee, which was formed last September, redefined the position as "an administrator who will 'focus on the recruitment, retention, quality of life and post graduation outcomes for the entire student body,' and . 'establish and execute the priorities and objectives related to undergraduate student enrollments.'" According to Lawrence, the University has retained Witt/Kieffer, an executive search firm, to aid the process of filling the position. According to Witt/Kieffer's website, it is "the preeminent executive search firm that identifies outstanding leadership solutions for organizations committed to improving the quality of life."Lawrence wrote in his campuswide e-mail that "the 14-member committee is comprised of students, faculty, administrators, a member of the chaplaincy and a university trustee." Two undergraduates, Student Union President Daniel Acheampong '11 and Rebecca Bachman '13, are serving on the committee. In an e-mail to the Justice yesterday, Bachman wrote that her role on the committee is to "listen to the student body's ideas, and present the Brandeis student perspective."Senior Vice President for Administration Mark Collins, who is the chair of the search committee, wrote in an e-mail to the Justice yesterday that the committee will begin its work this week. Regarding the duration of the search, he wrote, "There is no set time. . The important thing is to find the right candidate."An ideal candidate, according to Collins, would be "a visionary leader who loves working in a collegial, team-oriented environment and deliver an outstanding student experience in a rigorous academic community."The Student Advisory Committee to the Administrative Structure Advisory Committee, formed last semester, surveyed students about what qualities the new Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment should have, and made recommendations to the administration, according to an Oct. 12, 2010 Justice article. Bachman wrote in her e-mail to the Justice that the information from the surveys will guide the search committee's recommendations.Bachman wrote that it is important for the new senior vice president "to be an active advocate for the students, understand what Brandeis stands for and be open to hearing student perspective on any issue that arises."-Sara Dejene contributed reporting.
Medical EmergencyJan. 23-University Police were informed of a female in a Usdan Student Center women's bathroom who may have been drunk. BEMCo was dispatched, and the party was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.Jan. 23-A party stated that an intoxicated male in Renfield Hall was requesting BEMCo. BEMCo was dispatched, and the student was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.Jan. 24-An 18-year-old male sustained a head injury while playing squash in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. BEMCo treated the party on-scene with a signed refusal for further care.Jan. 26-A reporting party stated that a 19-year-old in Usen Castle was having a reaction to medication and was having difficulty breathing. The party was transported to the hospital, and a community development coordinator was contacted.Jan. 29-University Police were informed of an intoxicated 18-year-old female in Usen Residence Hall. The party was transported to the hospital for further care.TrafficJan. 23-An Aramark box truck driver informed University police that he struck another vehicle in Castle Lot, knocking off the other vehicle's mirror. University Police reported that the vehicle has extensive damage on the driver's side Pictures of the vehicle's damage will be taken.Jan. 27-University Police reported finding a damaged vehicle in Charles River Lot. The officer reported that the vehicle appeared as if it had been struck by a plow. The vehicle owner and the plow operator will be responding. Paperwork has been exchanged, and a report will be compiledDisturbanceJan. 30-University Police were informed of a noise complaint in Ziv Quad. Jan. 30-University police received a noise complaint for music playing too loudly in Ziv Quad. The music was turned off for the night.VandalismJan. 26-A police officer has taken pictures and compiled a report of graffiti under the Squire Bridge.-compiled by Sara Dejene
Medical EmergencyJan. 10-A party in the Gryzmish Administration Complex reported a party having problems breathing. The 73-year-old female in question was not breathing correctly, according to the officer on-scene, and she was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.Jan. 11-A party in the Usdan Student Center who was feeling ill was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.Jan. 18-A male sustained an ankle injury after a slip and fall in Ziv Quad. BEMCo treated the party on-scene, and the party was then transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Jan. 19-A professor in the Heller School for Social Policy and Management was feeling faint and dizzy. BEMCo treated the professor on-scene, and the professor was then transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.Jan. 20-A student who slipped on ice in the Foster Mods sustained a head injury. BEMCo treated the student on-scene with a signed refusal for further care, and Facilities Services was notified to spread ice melt in front of the Mods.Jan. 22-A caller in Village C reported an intoxicated, nonresponsive 18-year-old female. The female was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.Jan. 22-A party from Hassenfeld Residence Hall informed University Police that her friend had fainted and bumped her lip. BEMCo treated the party on-scene with a signed refusal for further care.Jan. 22-A party in Renfield Hall informed University Police that her friend was intoxicated. BEMCo treated the party on-scene, and the party was taken to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Jan. 23-A party in the Usdan Student Center informed University Police that there may be an intoxicated female in the women's restroom. BEMCo treated the female on-scene, and the party was taken to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.Jan. 23-A party in Renfield Hall stated that a male was intoxicated and was in need of assistance. BEMCo treated the party on-scene, and he was then transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.LarcenyJan. 19-A party notified police of a scam artist. The reporting party listed a textbook for sale for $45.00 on the Brandeis classified advertisement website, and a buyer sent a check for $445.00. The reporting party returned the excess $400.00 to the buyer. University Police is investigating the fraud.TrafficJan. 12-Brandeis Police assisted the Waltham Police Department with an accident involving a train and a motor vehicle that involved multiple injuries.Jan. 18-University Police were informed of a two-vehicle accident on Loop Road by Deroy Hall. A white SUV hit the rear of a Crystal bus. No injuries were reported.MiscellaneousJan. 17-A party informed University Police of a suspicious white pickup truck on Angleside Road 24 hours after the incident occurred. The pickup truck was following the party, who was walking through the University Office Park to the Charles River Aparments.-compiled by Fiona Lockyer and Sara Dejene
Medical EmergencyNov. 16-BEMCo and University Police responded to a report of a student not feeling well in Ziv Quad. The party was treated on-scene with a signed refusal for further care.Nov. 18-An ambulance responded to a request for a psychological patient transport from the Mailman House. The party was taken by ambulance to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital for evaluation.Nov. 18-BEMCo responded to a report of a student feeling nauseous after being struck by a second student while playing Frisbee outside Usen Hall. BEMCo treated the party on-scene with a signed refusal for further care.Nov. 19-BEMCo responded to a report of a party having a reaction after ingesting nuts. BEMCo treated the party on-scene with a signed refusal for further care.Nov. 20-University Police and BEMCo responded to a report of an intoxicated male vomiting in a bathroom in Hassenfeld Residence Hall. The party was treated on-scene by BEMCo and transported to the Newton-Wellesley hospital for further care.Nov. 20-Waltham Fire Department, University Police, BEMCo and an ambulance responded to a Waltham Police report that a student in Hassenfeld Residence Hall reported another student's mouth injury, requesting an ambulance. The party was transported by ambulance to the hospital for further care.Nov. 20-BEMCo responded to a report of a Sherman Dining Hall staff member suffering a hand injury. BEMCo treated the party on-scene with a signed refusal for further care.Nov. 21-University Police and BEMCo responded to a report from Waltham Police that a party in the Charles River Apartments was suffering an asthma attack. The party was treated and transported byambulance to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.Nov. 21-BEMCo responded to a report that a male in Hassenfeld Residence Hall not feeling well and possibly having an asthma attack. The patient was transported via ambulance to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.DisturbanceNov. 20-University Police responded to a report of three males yelling obscene comments at a woman getting off the train at Brandeis. University Police checked the area but the parties were gone upon arrival.Nov. 20-University Police received a complaint about loud yelling outside the Foster Mods from a reporting party who believed that a fight might break out. The reported party left towards South Street upon University Police's arrival.LarcenyNov. 20-University Police received a report from a taxi driver who said he gave a ride to a student whose credit card did not work and that he needed the fare money. The University Police will contact the party via e-mail.Miscellaneous Nov. 19-University Police received a report of a suspicious motor vehicle near the Foster Mods and a party going through trash. The vehicle left the area prior to the arrival of University Police.-compiled by Sara Dejene
Medical EmergencyNov. 10-University Police received a call of a student suffering a diabetic reaction in Cable Hall. The party was conscious but lightheaded at the time of the call. The party was treated on-scene.Nov. 11-BEMCo received a call from a reporting party who stated that a female in the Usdan Student Center had cut herself and requested BEMCo. Nov. 13-BEMCo and University Police responded to a call of a party in the Charles River Apartments who slipped and sustained a head injury. The party was conscious and alert with no bleeding and was treated on scene by BEMCo with a signed refusal for further care.Nov. 13--University Police received a call from a party who reported that a bathroom door was locked although voices were heard from inside the bathroom. The door was opened by a Department of Facilities Services employee and an intoxicated party was located inside. A 23-year-old male was transported to the Newton Wellesley Hospital by ambulance.LarcenyNov. 9-University Police received a call reporting an unauthorized credit card use from Domenic's Cafe. A report was compiled by the University Police and the matter is under investigation.Nov. 12-University Police received a call from a party who reported his backpack stolen from the men's locker room in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. University Police compiled a report on the theft.Nov. 13-University Police received a call reporting an open window and a missing computer in the Foster Mods. A report was compiled on the theft.Nov. 14-University Police received a call from a party in the Foster Mods who reported her book bag stolen, which contained her Brandeis ID and cell phone. University Police compiled a report on the theft.DrugsNov. 8-University Police received a call from Deroy Hall about an odor of marijuana coming from an apartment area. A community development coordinator and the University Police arrived on-scene to handle the matter.DisturbanceNov. 13-University Police responded to several calls about a fight in progress in Ridgewood Quad. Upon arrival, there was a large group inside the quad, but it dispersed. Units checked the area for parties involved in the fight, but no one was found, and no further action was taken.Miscellaneous Nov. 11-University Police received a call about a suspicious male who was was described as being out of place. University Police checked the area but the party was gone upon arrival.Nov. 13-University Police received a call about a male party following several female parties inside Ridgewood C. University Police checked the area but did not find the party.-compiled by Sara Dejene
Medical EmergencyNov. 1-University Police received a call about a student in Ziv Quad having chest pain. BEMCo treated the party on-scene with a signed refusal for further care.Nov. 3--A student in the Village A reported extreme wrist and knee pain. BEMCo treated the party on-scene, and the party was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital by a University Police cruiser.Nov. 3-BEMCo and University Police responded to a call about an elderly woman who had fallen down in the Epstein building. The party was transported to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.Nov. 4-BEMCo and University Police responded to a call about a student having stomach pains in the Charles River Apartments. The party was transported by ambulance to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital.Nov. 4-BEMCo and University Police responded to a report of a sick student in Schwartz Hall. The party was treated on-scene with a signed refusal for further care.Nov. 5-BEMCo responded to a report of a student in Rosenthal Quad who was bleeding from a laceration. They party was treated on- scene with a signed refusal for further care.Nov. 5-BEMCo received a call about a staff member in Sherman Dining Hall who burned her face. The party was treated on-scene and transported to the Hospital for further care.TrafficNov. 2-Students reported that while operating a campus van off campus, they were involved in a minor accident with a Curry College vehicle. No injuries were reported, and there was minor damage to both vehicles.Nov. 3-A party reported to University Police that he struck a parked car while operating a ZipCar. There was no contact information for the victim of the struck vehicle. University Police left a note on the vehicle.LarcenyNov. 2-A student reported a past burglary from their dorm room at The Charles River Apartments. University Police compiled a report on the incident.-compiled by Sara Dejene
At the Nov. 7 Senate meeting, Director of Communications Andrea Ortega '13 spoke to the Senate about the Student Union website, which is being renovated. She explained that she is putting together a newsletter and that currently two students have agreed to write an online blog on the website to highlight senators' projects.Director of Executive Affairs Ryan Fanning '11 gave an overview of the upcoming State of the Union, which will be Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. It will be a 30-minute speech that will address what the Student Union has accomplished, Senators' projects and what the Student Union's goals are. Fanning also updated the Senate on the Senate retreat, which will be on Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The retreat will include meals, activities, leadership-building events and a social function.The Senate unanimously chartered SPECTRUM, Brandeis' autism awareness club. The club, which was recognized last semester, seeks to raise awareness of autism and conduct community service activities in Waltham. The club plans to use money to hold on-campus events to raise awareness.The Senate swore in two non-Senate chairs. Marsha Patel '14 will be the non-Senate chair for the Club Services Committee, and Sharan Shah '14 will be the non-Senate chair for Social Justice. Vice President Shirel Guez '11 swore in the non-Senate chairs.Senator for East Quad Albert Feldman '13 presented a sign-up sheet for tabling Turkey Shuttle tickets. The Student Union will be selling tickets for the Thanksgiving shuttles to South Station, Logan International Airport and Pennsylvania Station in New York City during the weeks prior to Thanksgiving Break. The tickets will be on sale in the Usdan Student Center and Shapiro Campus Center.According to an e-mail announcement sent out by Union Secretary Herbie Rosen '12, tickets to New York will be $25 and tickets to South Station and Logan Airport will be $8. Currently, the Senate is scheduled to sell tickets Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 11 and 12 from noon to 3 p.m. and in the Shapiro Campus Center from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Feldman said he would work to organize more dates when tickets could be sold.Executive Senator and Senator for the Class of 2012 Abby Kulawitz said she would be working with new clubs after they had been chartered or recognized to assist them in responsibilities that clubs would take, such as reserving rooms, after they had been chartered. Currently, the Student Union assists clubs before they are recognized or chartered.Senator for the Class of 2011 Abraham Berin reported that GPS systems installed on the Brandeis Crystal shuttles will undergo beta testing and that signs for the campus and Waltham shuttles have been added onto the vans. The signs are to help students determine whether an approaching shuttle is a campus van or a Waltham van.-Sara Dejene