Turkish Relief Efforts

Hey,

Please check out this e-mail to support the Turkish relief effort.

To whom it may concern,

I am contacting you to inform you of a new campus initiative. This student- run initiative is a group of concerned students with the goal of helping with Turkish relief efforts for the recent, devastating earthquake through raising funds and general campus awareness of the situation. They are doing this in conjunction with Project Nur and help from the Department of Community Service and this semester are beginning to sell bracelets and Turkish food. Additionally, they hope to continue through next semester with fundraising and the following years with cultural awareness through reinvigorating and renewing a currently obsolete club, Turkish Students Association. This could be a really great news story about how to make obsolete clubs worthwhile and about the discussion of clubs on Brandeis in general. It could also be a great way for this club and their efforts to be publicized and hopefully grow. Rozi Levi is spearheading this effort and would love to be able to provide interviews for any op-ed or news story that you would like to publish. I really hope that you consider writing about this new initiative, and if you have any questions or comments please just email me back or contact Rozi.

Thanks again for your consideration and please let me know if you’re interested in pursuing this,
Tamar Schneck

Andrew Slack

Andrew Slack, who graduated in 2002, is not only a fantastic friend but a visionary. He is featured in Brandeis NOW, along with an awesome video.

Check out this blurb and follow the link:

Andrew Slack ’02 is creator, co-founder, and executive director of the Harry Potter Alliance, which takes a creative approach to activism by mobilizing thousands of young people to spread love and fight for justice in the spirit of the Harry Potter novels.

At the end of September, Slack gave a TEDx Talk in Rome, speaking to more than 80 broadcasters throughout Europe about the Harry Potter Alliance and what he calls cultural dreamwork, cultural acupuncture and the power of stories to transform the world.

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to spreading worthwhile ideas. It started in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from the worlds of technology, entertainment and design. Since then its scope has broadened to include two annual conferences, the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Project and TED Conversations, TED Fellows and TEDx programs.

TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events at which TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group setting. These events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.

Hiatt- You are SO FUNNY!

Hey Seniors!!

This is a really great opportunity to have Hiatt check over your resume… also Hiatt made a joke!

Haunted by family asking what you’ll be doing after graduation? Wishing Trick-or-Treat wasn’t just for kids?

Hiatt has a special treat that will make your head spin: resume e-reviews!

Just email your resume to hiattchat@gmail.com. Staff will be on hand Monday through Thursday, 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. to review submitted resumes. You can even talk with Hiatt Advisors via Google Chat.

Email your resume today and have a happy Halloween!

Andrea Dine
Associate Director of Career Development
Hiatt Career Center

Disclaimer: Offer good only for resumes. Fava beans, chain saws, possessed videos, great white sharks, murderous dolls, sparrows and crows, tannis root, buckets of blood and axe-wielding shower guests not included. A special treat is available to the first student who can identify all 10 horror movies referenced in this invitation by responding to this email.

(I know… Several of these horrors can be attributed to various films. Submit the titles of the scariest; I’m open to debate.)

22 Year Old Stands Up to Bank of America

Please read this extraordinary story of Molly Katchpole a 22 year old from Washington, and her struggle against big banks. She created a petition against Bank of America’s $5 debit card fee. She utilized the website Change.org to raise awareness. Over 300,000 people supported Molly’s cause, and not only is Bank of America revising its $5 debit card fee, but big banks like Chase and Wells Fargo are publicly canceling their plans to charge their customers for debit cards. Diane Sawyer announced on ABC Nightly News Friday night “Score one for a customer rebellion!”

You must watch this segment from ABC Nightly News about Molly’s Change.org petition.

It’s a truly inspiring story about what’s possible when we organize together.

Although Bank of America is revising their fee, many customers including Molly, will still have to pay the $5 debit card fee. Her fight isn’t over, but, as the Wall Street Journal put it, the “big banks blinked.”

Here’s what else the media is saying about Molly’s Change.org petition against big bank fees:
• ABC: “Banks Back Down from Fees”
• CBS: “Bank of America Backs Down After Consumer Backlash”
• Mother Jones: “Banks Surrender on Debit Card Fees”
• Daily Mail: “Victory for customers as big banks back down from debit card fees”
• Time Magazine: “Banks Back Off Unpopular Debit Card Fees”
• NY Daily News: “After outcry, Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America back off on debit card fees
• Dan Rather covered Molly’s petition too, saying that Change.org has become a “nerve-center for social justice the world over.”

Relief forTurkey

Please check out this e-mail from Monique Gnanaratnam, the director of the Intercultural Center.

Dear All,

As many of you might have heard on the news, the city of Van, located on the eastern part of Turkey has experienced a devastating earthquake with the magnitude of 7.2. As of now 550 people have been reported dead and 2300 wounded. Death toll is expected to rise because there are lots of people trapped in collapsed buildings and the cold weather makes the situation much more difficult.

Believing in the community spirit we have here at Brandeis, we wanted to ask for your support on this matter.

Here are 2 easy ways to make a contribution to the relief efforts:

1- Turkish American Cultural Society of New England Website allows you to make non-taxable donations through PayPal, at the desired amount
http://www.tacsne.org/earthquake-van/index.html

2- Global Giving website allows you to make $10 donations through just a TEXT MESSAGE or you can also make a donation at the desired amount from the website.

Thank you all for your awareness and your support.
Email rozilevi@brandeis.edu if you have any questions or if you’d like to help to further fundraise at Brandeis.

Halloween For The Hungry

Halloween For The Hungry is looking for volunteers!

This year is the 25th anniversary of Halloween for the Hungry Food Drive! As club leaders your position can help inspire and mobilize fellow Brandeisians to get involved and give back to those in need. Ask your organization to volunteer to trick-or-treat for donations of canned goods, non-perishable food items, and toiletries to be sent to local soup kitchens and shelters.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Tina Zhang at xiaoyaaa@brandeis.edu or Caroline Ahn at cahn@brandeis.edu.

US PIRG

Make a difference on our country’s most pressing issues
If you’re looking for a powerful opportunity to change America for the better, consider U.S. PIRG (U.S. Public Interest Research Group). U.S. PIRG is a federation of state-based, nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations that work in the public interest.
With U.S. PIRG, you might work to:
End our country’s addiction to oil by building support for mass transit and high-speed rail.
Strengthen our democracy by getting the youth of America to exercise their right to vote.
Guard against threats to our health and security, from poor food safety standards to toxic threats in neighborhoods across the country.
U.S. PIRG is hiring recent graduates throughout the country for salaried positions.
LEARN ABOUT U.S.PIRG POSITIONS AT OUR INFO SESSION
Thursday October 27
5:30PM
HIATT CAREER CENTER
Interested? Send you resume to mpreskill@masspirg.org
Questions? Contact Micaela Preskill at mpreskill@masspirg.org or visit our webiste at www.uspirg.

Micaela Preskill
Consumer Associate, MASSPIRG
44 Winter St, 4th floor
Boston, MA 02108
w: (617) 747-4374
c: (626) 695-0498

Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/masspirg

Earthquake in Eastern Turkey

Hello Brandeis,

I am very saddened to report that the earthquake in Eastern Turkey has been recorded as having a 7.2 magnitude. According to the CNN article, the death toll has risen to 279, with another 1,300 injured. There have been numerous aftershocks, some reaching to a 6.0 magnitude, which has caused even further damage.

Some of our Brandeis Community have family, friends, and organization members that may have been affected. If you need help, please know there are many resources here for you at Brandeis. If you need to speak with someone, before the extension dial 781-73
Anonymous Hotline x6TALK
Health Center x63677
Community Living/Residence Life x65060
Public Safety x65000
Psychological Counseling Center x63730
(2nd Floor Mailman)

If you have been affected, please take care.

BSF Gets a Check!

National Office Furniture has awarded The Brandeis Sustainability Fund the Gift of Inspiration for Education Environments, a prize which comes with $25,000!

As Brandeis Now reports, “Janna Cohen-Rosenthal ’03, a member of the Facilities services staff who serves as campus sustainability coordinator, applied for the National Office Furniture gift and says it “is a wonderful boost to the [BSF] program.””

The check presentation event for this award will be Tuesday Oct. 25 from 11:30-12:00 in the SCC Atrium. It will be a BIG CHECK, and a must see!!

Apply for the BSF NOW!!!

Past projects have included an Energy Building Dashboard and expanding the awesome Deisbikes program.

You can check out the BSF 2010-2011 Annual Report here.

Read below for more information on applying for a BSF grant, courtesy of Herbie Rosen, emphasis added by IMP.
Continue reading “BSF Gets a Check!”

Labor Fight here at Brandeis

The Attack on Public Workers
with Andrew Porter, National Organizer of the Young Democratic Socialists (YDS)

When: Tuesday, October 25th at 8 PM
Where: Pearlman Lounge

Sponsored by Brandeis Labor Coalition

Occupy Wall Street has shown a new break through in class consciousness among the working and middle classes against the financial sector. Yet, the attacks on working people and organized labor has been going on for decades. But labor and its allies are fighting back – from occupations to Ohio. Andrew Porter, a native Ohioan, will discuss the recent efforts of YDS to work against Issue 2 – a ballot measure that would prevent public employees from bargaining for health care and pensions.

Learn how you can get involved in labor solidarity here and around the country.

For more information, contact David Duhalde (dduhalde@brandeis.ed)
Visit the Brandeis Labor Coalition at www.brandeis.edu/~labor

Message from Benjamin Beutel

Dear Social Justice Club Leaders,

My name is Benjamin Beutel, and I am the new chair of the Student Union Senate Social Justice Committee. The Committee’s first priority this year is to increase correspondence and collaboration between social justice groups and leaders at Brandeis. To get started, I would like to have a meeting of as many social justice groups’ leaders or other representatives as possible to figure out what everyone is up to, what we can all do for each other, new inter-group projects that we can work on, and whatever else you’d like to discuss. I’m including a Doodle poll so that we can start organizing a meeting time. By early next week I will reserve space, and while I cannot promise it yet, there will probably be pizza.

http://www.doodle.com/6xum6837zm4tb9ke

Also, since we don’t have a definitive list of current social justice groups at Brandeis available to us (and indeed, making one is on my agenda), please also let us know if there are other people you feel should be brought into this conversation.

And of course, feel free to email me with any questions or ideas you’d like to share. It would help me put together an agenda for the meeting.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

– Benjamin Beutel
Social Justice Chair, Village Quad Senator.

– Sneha Wallia
Class of 2015 Senator.

– Rachel Goutman
Off-Campus Senator.

THURSDAY HINDU SPEAKER 9 PM PEACE ROOM

COME JOIN the BRANDEIS INTERFAITH GROUP (BIG) and NAMASKAR
(the Hindu/Sikh/Jain group on campus) and CHAPLAINCY

in WELCOMING A VERY SPECIAL SPEAKER FROM INDIA

*Swamini Sadvidyananda Saraswati*

This Thursday, October 13, 9 pm-10 pm
at the Peace Room in Usdan Student Center
(1st floor, Gluck Entrance near Levin ballroom)

The Swamimi is a disciple of Swami Dayananda Sarasvati. She has studied Vedanta (Hindu philosophy) & Sanskrit for more than a decade in United States and India. She makes the teaching of Vedanta clear and enjoyable. She is connected with the ancient Gurukulam system of learning. She is also a Sanskrit scholar, giving her direct access to the original texts and their commentaries. She is a member of the Hindupedia (the online encyclopedia of Hindu Dharma) Editorial Board. For the last nine years she has been teaching in Gujarat, India and makes an annual tour in the US.

The visit was organized by Brandeis Catholic Chaplain Rev. Walter Cuenin.
For more information, email cuenin@brandeis.edu

ONE Movement

Check out this activist event from Brittany Ritell!

Not eating a thing for 24 hours – what would it feel like?
This is the reality for 923 million people around the world.
Could you survive a day in their shoes?

The famine in Somalia had killed 30,000 children in the last 3 months. Without urgent assistance more than 160,000 children in southern Somalia will die in the coming weeks. The clock is ticking. Join Positive Foundations and the Girl Effect from 6PM on Friday October 14 to 6PM on Saturday October 15 in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium in 24 hour fasting solidarity for the Horn of Africa.

A few of the facts (from www.whitehouse.gov):
1. More than 13 million people are in crisis – making this the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.
2. More than 700,000 people have fled from their homes in Somalia to Ethiopia and Kenya – creating the world’s largest refugee camps.
3. 1 child is dying every 6 minutes in Somalia.
4. More than 750,000 people are projected to perish from starvation in Somalia within the next four months if humanitarians are not allowed access in to southern Somalia

Event Highlights:
Keynote Speaker, Will Fonton from Oxfam
Advocacy Workshop with Cynthia Tschampl from RESULTS
T Shirt Decorating
Candle Light Vigil
“Twitter Attack”
Panels
Post-Famine Fast
and much more

Take just one day to educate yourself and join the ONE movement to end extreme poverty. Live hungry for just 24 hours so that, hopefully, one day, no one will have to.

Thank you for your support of this cause and if you have any questions regarding this, please email me back at britell@brandeis.edu

Action TONIGHT!

Hey Brandeis activists,

CHECK OUT this very important message from Matt Gabrenya:

You’ve heard about Occupy Wall Street… the movement is growing. There are now ongoing occupations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and numerous other cities.

This is it folks. A new American democracy movement is developing. This is something that our country has not seen in a very very long time and if you’re like me, it’s been exhilarating, inspiring, and nerve-wracking and to watch it develop.

Let’s talk more about Occupy Boston TONIGHT at 8:00pm in the Peace Room (hidden away in Usdan, give me a call if you can’t find it 7818201450).

Some students spent this past weekend at Occupy Boston, others want to check it out, and many more want to continue the discussions and debates of how we can help propel this into the mass popular movement it NEEDS TO BE and CAN BECOME.

hope to see you tonight.

Occupy Wall Street Statement

If you are following the Occupy movement (where there is now an Occupy Boston!!!), you may want to check out this statement is issued by the General Assemblies of the Occupy movement:

National General Assemblies Draft Declaration Version: 1.0 Time: 9/30/2011
Over two centuries ago America’s founders gathered to air their grievances with the British monarchy and to declare an end to the divine right of kings in this country.

Their English is archaic and strange to us now, but every single one of us knows and understands this part: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Today we, the free men and women of America, have gathered in Liberty Square to renew this foundation of our country, to ensure the natural, inalienable rights of all human beings are respected, and to restore the rule of the law, the very foundation of our civil society. Our grievances today are clear and simple.

With regard to our property: We have been deprived of our homes in illegal foreclosure processes, often by corporate entities that can not prove that they have any claim on our property. Our national treasury has been drained to cover the gambling losses of Wall Street casinos, who conceal their true nature by calling themselves banks. With regards to our livelihood: Our First Amendment freedom of association, namely the formation of a union for the purpose of collective bargaining, is constantly under assault. Our factories and service centers are dismantled and shipped to other countries with no heed paid to the needs of those they employed, nor to the stability and well being of our nation as a whole. With regard to our lives:

We are subjected to numerous schemes which deprive us of the fruit of education, the means by which we make citizens. From kindergarten to graduate school we are beset with fees contrived by bankers as well as requirements and restrictions conceived by fanatics who would have us revisit the religious wars this country’s founders fled.

We have been deprived of healthy, safe, natural food grown by our neighbors and in its place we can only find that which fattens without nourishing, that which may be unclean, and that which is created from animals who live in torment and plants unnaturally turned into pesticide factories. We spend more than any other western nation on health care, our doctors and nurses are among the best in the world, but the only things ensured by our parasitic health insurance industry are their profits and banana republic grade care for our citizens.

With regard to our Liberty: We have been subjected to policies that segregate us by race, by age, by country of origin, whom we choose to love, whether we be natural born citizens, legal immigrants, or desperate refugees, when no natural division exists. We have been subjected to endless eavesdropping, poorly conceived security procedures when boarding planes, a politicized “Do Not Fly” list, and a dozen other insults foisted on us under the guise of protecting us. We are arrested, often for victimless crimes that the nations of Europe have long since chosen to ignore or tax and regulate. We are imprisoned at rates SIX TIMES that of our neighbors in Canada, SEVEN TIMES that of our neighbors in the United Kingdom, and TEN TIMES that of our neighbors in Mexico. It is our 21st century slave plantations masquerading as prisons that need reform, not us.

We are imprisoned differently; the darker our skin, the longer our sentences. Need we say more here?

Our founders displayed great wisdom, cautioning us to take care that we are acting on problems, rather than reacting to them. “Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes;” Our suffering today is not light, nor is it transient; a generation of carefully calculated policies were needed to dismantle America’s once broad middle class. “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

We are today come to that which the authors of our Declaration of Independence so feared: total usurpation of our right to self government, brought on by the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, an act clearly bought, paid for, and implemented by a few corrupt men. The removal from authority and prosecution of those found to be involved is our first and foremost DEMAND.

America is a nation of the rule of the law, and without its steady, even application to ALL none can consider their rights and property to be safe. We will certainly find more causes for which we will DEMAND vigorous application of the rule of the law, but when the United States Supreme Court, one of the three pillars of our government, becomes a rotten husk where one can purchase the utter dissolution of our election system, and for naught but the price of a single Washington D.C. town home, we MUST act. When our rights were enumerated we were also reminded of increasingly dire solutions that a free people might apply to a government that no longer has their consent. Having discussed this among ourselves, we feel such talk is premature, paranoid and more than a bit hysterical. Our founders provided all the tools required for the housecleaning we MUST undertake. We need only muster the will to wield them.

Election Results

The following is a summary of results from last week’s election.

Senator-at-Large
Evyn Rabinowitz

Class of 2015 Senators
Sneha Walia
Daniel Novak

Class of 2012 Senator
Melissa Donze

Class of 2013 Senators
Theodore Choi
Sarah G. Kim

Alumni Association Representative
Jenny Lau

Brandeis Sustainability Fund Representative
Lisa Purdy
Rohan Bhatia

Castle Quad Senator
Kelsey Dean

East Quad Senator
Jeremy Goodman

F-Board Racial Minority
Paul Lee

Judiciary
Gaili Gordon

Massell Quad Senator
Dean Kaplan

North Quad Senator
Charlotte Franco

Off Campus Senator
Rachel Goutman

Ridgewood Quad Senator
Boris Osipov

Rosenthal Quad Senator
Jacklyn Gil

TYP Senator
James Polite

Village Quad Senator
Benjamin Beutel

Ziv Quad Senator
Sol Kim

The following positions still remain vacant
Mods Quad Senator
Judiciary (3 Seats)
Charles River Quad Senator
Racial Minority Senator

Ending Note: If ABSTAIN receives the most votes in the final round, then that position in question remains vacant. We will soon be announcing the election date for the vacant positions. For all those that participated in voting, thank you for your time

Rosh Hashanah

In case you are wondering what this Rosh Hashanah holiday is, and why you have two days off, check out this email from the Interfaith Chaplaincy

To: The Brandeis Community
This Wednesday night, September 28, Jews around the world will begin a very special period called “the Days of Awe.” This ten day span begins with Rosh HaShanah, the two-day start of the Jewish New Year, and ends with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (this year on Saturday, October 8).

Rosh HaShanah is a joyous holiday, marking both the New Year and the Birthday of the World, but it is also a time for reflection. Synagogues around the world will ring with the blast of the Shofar, the ram’s horn, calling communities together for celebration and contemplation.

During the 10 days from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur, Jews are enjoined to reflect upon the past year, seeking forgiveness from those they may have knowingly or unknowingly harmed or otherwise offended. The theme of all ten days is that repentance, prayer and charitable deeds are the keys to closing out the old year and starting the New Year off right.

On Yom Kippur, Jews come together for a final confession of their sins in order to begin the New Year with a proverbial clean slate. Tradition has it that one cannot come before God for these confessions before having first approached our family, friends, and neighbors with requests for forgiveness. Prayer and fasting are the hallmarks of this day and many refrain from other luxuries, like the wearing of leather shoes. The day is designed to focus attention only on those things which truly matter. Yom Kippur concludes with a final blast of the Shofar, a final cry as the gates of heaven are considered to close.

For a schedule of the many opportunities for prayer on campus in this High Holy Day season, please see Hillel’s website http://www.brandeishillel.org/high-holidays/. All members of the Brandeis family are welcome. Tickets are available for non-students at x63570. We wish you a Shanah Tovah U’metukah (a good and sweet year). May it be a year of joy and celebration, of growth and fulfillment, of health and wholeness, and may it be a year of peace.

The Interfaith Chaplaincy

Rev. Walter Cuenin, Catholic Chaplain, x63574
Dr. Imam Talal Eid, Muslim Chaplain, x65010
Alexander Levering Kern, Protestant Chaplain, 617-455-5323
Rabbi Elyse Winick, Jewish Chaplain, x63672

Urgent Action

Hey! Here is an urgent action sent from Matt Gabrenya.

Hey yall,

Tomorrow (Monday) there will be a BIG tar sands action at Harvard U.

David Axelrod, a top advisor to Obama, and chief strategist of his ’08 campaign will be speaking to a closed-room audience at Harvard.

We’re going to be demonstrating our opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline during his entrance.

This is a real opportunity to reach the ear of the Obama administration so its really important that we have a HUGE presence. One of two stories could be relayed to Obama after this action: (1) the opposition will dissolve soon enough and we can ignore it, or (2) this is something serious and growing that we might need to pay attention to.

We’re taking the 2:08pm Commuter Rail in, and will get back by 5:30pm. Axelrod should arrive at harvard around 4:00pm.

(address is Kirkland House, 95 Dunster Street Cambridge, MA — give me a call if you can’t find it 7818201450)

best,
Matt

Robbery

If you haven’t seen this e-mail from Ed Callahan, please take a look! With all the robberies taking place on campus and in Waltham, I strongly encourage everyone to use the buddy system while traveling at night. Always lock your room when you leave, and lock it before you go to bed at night.

If you have any information on the robbery last night, please contact University Police! Their number is in the e-mail below:

At approximately midnight today, a member of the Brandeis community who was attending a campus program reported being robbed within the Usdan Student Center Men’s restroom on the Levin Ballroom side. The victim said an object was pressed against his back and money and other items were taken from his wallet. At this time, the identity of the individual(s) involved in the robbery has not been established.

Anyone who may have information pertaining to this incident should contact the University Police at (781) 736-5000.

Troy Davis

The state of Georgia killed Troy Davis last night.

I’m sure many of you are aware of this tragedy. I receive updates from change.org after signing the petition to save his life. I know many I have talked with are upset, and I wanted to share the words from Patrick of change.org. I hope those of you who are sad can find comfort and meaning in his words.

Hearing his story, I can’t help but feel angry humans think they can decide who deserves life and who deserves to die. Troy Davis’ case was, in my mind, beyond reasonable doubt of innocence. The death penalty is a very loaded issue, but I do think every human life lost should be mourned.

If you feel comfortable, please use the comment section as a safe space to express your feelings and concerns. Also feel free to contact me individually if you need to talk.

Patrick wrote:

Despite so much doubt about Troy Davis’s guilt — including seven witnesses who changed or recanted their testimony, and three jurors who convicted Troy who later asked that his life be spared — Georgia’s parole board decided he should die. And so tonight at 11:08 Eastern Time, he was killed by lethal injection.

His sister, Kim Davis, wanted to tell you what her brother said before he died:

“When Troy saw that more than 250,000 Change.org members signed a petition that was delivered to the board in his name, he called to tell me he was deeply moved. He told me he knew that he had supporters around the world, but he had no idea that the support was that widespread.”

Kim has said that she’ll keep fighting, for the next Troy Davis and the one after that. And she knows so many of us will join her in this fight.

Troy Davis was not alone when he died. Thank you for standing with him.

– Patrick and the entire Change.org team

P.S. Troy’s case has brought international attention to deep, long-existing flaws in our criminal justice system. If you’re interested in becoming more involved in advocacy around the death penalty, visit Amnesty International, The Innocence Project, or the NAACP. You can also start your own campaign on this issue on Change.org.

Occupy Wall St: a Briefing

Here is update from Shea!

Occupy Wall St: a Briefing

Our own Tahrir Square moment is happening right now in the newly renamed “Liberty Plaza” in the Financial district in NYC.

1. What is this movement? What is going on here?

The protesters in Liberty Plaza are a heterogeneous, ambiguous group, as they were in the Cairo, Barcelona and Athens protests of 2011. Why? Because collectively we represent no political party or organization–we only share a common set of ideals:

We believe that our government has been co-opted by moneyed interests. We denounce the way big businesses and banks dominate the political and economic sphere. In short: we demand government by the people and for the people, not in the interests of corporate America and the richest 1%.

We are not limiting ourselves by affiliating with a specific movement. We comprise elements of many “progressive” social movements: the environmental movement, education reform, the food movement, the campaign finance reform movement, the fair-labor movement, and the anti-globalization movement. We believe these movements are all intricately connected, and we are now acting on that belief.

2. How will we do this?

We are using the global tactics of the Arab Spring, and of the 2011 Spain “Democracy Now” movement: first, a large-scale occupation and protest. Second, we aim to propose a series of solutions to these problems through grassroots participatory democracy based on people’s assemblies and consensus decision making.

Citizens are taking democracy to the streets, and they are not leaving any time soon. This is not a one-day protest. The occupation is scheduled to continue for the next month at least.

3. How do I get involved? How can I help?

The most effective way, as it was in Cairo, Madison and Barcelona, is to get down to Liberty St. and Broadway and join the occupation.

If you can’t do this, spread the word as far and wide as you can:

Twitter
Facebook
Official websties: occupywallst.org, nycga.org
More info/news: adbusters.org

You can also watch the occupation live, 24/7.

Please pass this email on to your friends, family, and fellow citizens!

Thank you!

Benjamin Beutel for VILLAGE QUAD SENATOR!

INNERMOST PARTS IS ENDOORSING Benjamin Beutel –
He is a double major with history and politics. He has served in student government in the past. He is a man so brave that two years ago, he was in a belly dance group. Benjamin wants to be YOUR VILLAGE QUAD SENATOR!!!!

In the Village, Benjamin pledges to make essential changes:
1. Free weights for the Village Gym
2. A faster towel maintenance cycle at the Gym
3. Better stocking for Village store (to re-supply shelves more frequently and a better snack variety)

Benjamin also has great ideas for Brandeis:
1. Increase coordination between student union and clubs/groups
2. Greater support for social justice and activism
3. Brandeis Campus wide quad Olympics- fun for the campus
4. More Quad-wide events and community strengthening

Why is he running?
Benjamin takes the idea of being a representative very seriously.
Not only does he plan to hold office hours, he also pledges to ask people in the village face to face what they want changed. He wants to be aware of individual students. In his interview, Benjamin told me that “At Brandeis we are told there are resources to go to, but I want to go to the people”.

Personally, Benjamin wants to give back to the community. He has only attended Brandeis for one full year, is graduating this year, but still feels that Brandeis has improved his life. He believes there is always more to do. He is progressive and wants to create a positive change.

Even though he is a busy Brandeis student, he has the time. Benjamin is part of the debate club and volunteers in Boston, but will put in all the time and effort it takes to be a fantastic VILLAGE QUAD SENATOR!!!

Ethics Center Paid Leadership Opportunity

Paid Undergraduate Leadership Opportunity at Brandeis
Deadline: Mon Sept 19 at noon
Do You: Have creative ideas and strong opinions? Like to stir up conversation? Think Brandeis needs more informed discussion of major public issues?

Are you: Interested in a paid opportunity to get involved? Interested in building engaged communities at Brandeis, around any of the three focus areas of the Ethics Center: Peacebuilding & the Arts, International Justice & Human Rights, and Issues of Ethics & Public Life?

Apply by Monday, September 19 at noon for the six-member Ethics Center Leadership Council! A unique opportunity! Stipend: $350 per semester. Undergraduate students from any year are eligible to apply.

More details and a link to the online application.

Tell JC Penney and Forever 21: Stop insulting girls’ intelligence

Good morning Brandeis!

When I checked my email, I was bombarded by 5 or 6 very angry e-mails to “FIGHT JC PENNY”, “GIRL’S INTELLIGENCE”, and “FIGHT SEXISM”! Forever 21 and JC Penny began stocking teenage girl shirts with witty comments like “Allergic to Algebra”. Are they only a harmless joke? Or do they represent inherent sexist attitudes still prevalent in the US today?

What do you think?

Check out the Credo Action e-mail below…
And sign the petition if you agree!

Just this week, retailer Forever 21 began offering for sale a shirt for girls emblazoned with the slogan “Allergic to Algebra.” And a few weeks ago, JC Penney offered similar girls’ shirts with the slogan “I’m too pretty to do homework, so my brother has to do it for me.”

Sexist slogans like these play into and perpetuate the incorrect stereotype that women are innately bad at math or being pretty is more important than being smart. By selling these shirts, the stores give their implicit support of these stereotypes to convince girls that, to be stylish and fit in, they must be bad at math or less interested than boys in academic achievement. Slogans like these are also harmful to boys and reinforce with them the stereotype that they are innately better than girls when it comes to math or that a girl’s worth comes only from her looks.

Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of people at JC Penney and Forever 21 encountered these shirts before they were made available to the public. Why didn’t employees of these retailers at some point say, “Hey, are we really going to sell shirts to young girls that say ‘I’m too pretty for homework’ or ‘Allergic to Algebra’?”

It’s obvious that these shirts perpetuate offensive and harmful stereotypes about the ability of women to achieve academically relative to men. Of course, many studies have confirmed that these stereotypes are baseless, and that women’s minds are just as well suited to performing academically as men’s.

But, because popular culture is so powerful, many women and girls will conform to negative stereotypes of what a woman is supposed to achieve if they are continually reinforced. Stores like JC Penney and Forever 21 help shape that culture through the clothing they sell.

It’s clear that these stores listen to public pressure, but we must pressure JC Penney and Forever 21 to take concrete steps to ensure that clothing this sexist never even comes close to making it onto shelves again.

Tell the CEOs of JC Penney and Forever 21 that you will hold them accountable for the clothing that is sold in their stores. Demand they make a public commitment to keep sexist clothing for girls from making it to their shelves in the future. Click here to automatically sign the petition.

Thank you for standing up to sexism.

Ali Rozell, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets

Debt Debates

Here is a video from President Obama about the debt argument in Washington.

Here is the infographic.

Taken from barackobama.com, here are a few over view points from the deal.

What the Debt Deal Does:

Removes economic uncertainty surrounding the debt limit at a critical time and prevents either party from using a failure to meet our obligations for political gain.

Makes a significant down payment to reduce the deficit — finding savings in defense and domestic spending while protecting critical investments in education and job creation.

Creates a bipartisan commission to find a balanced approach to continue this progress on deficit reduction.
Establishes an incentive for both sides to compromise on historic deficit reduction while protecting Social Security, Medicare beneficiaries, and programs that help low-income families.

Follows through on President Obama’s commitment to shared sacrifice by making sure that the middle class, seniors, and those who are most vulnerable do not shoulder the burden of reducing the deficit. As the process moves forward, the President will continue to insist that the wealthiest Americans share the burden.

THE BIPARTISAN DEBT AGREEMENT: KEY FACTS

The President worked to ensure that both parties came together to prevent our government from defaulting on our obligations for the first time in our history, which would have had devastating consequences for our economy.

The agreement rejects unbalanced policies some on the other side were advocating that would have forced seniors and the middle class to shoulder the full burden of reducing the deficit without asking special interests or the wealthiest Americans to share in the sacrifice. For example, the agreement rejects the unbalanced cuts in the Ryan budget and the cut, cap, and balance plan that would have turned Medicare into a voucher program and asked nothing of special interests and the most well-off.
By extending the debt limit to 2013, this agreement removes the cloud of uncertainty over our economy at a critical time. It also ensures that no one will be able to play political games with our nation’s economic future and establishes a framework for balanced fiscal discipline in the long term.

All told, this agreement means that:
• Seniors can continue to count on their Social Security payments.
• Veterans will continue to receive their benefits.
• Businesses relying on federal government contracts or funding can continue to keep their employees working.
• The world markets can continue to invest in America without disruption.

Importantly, this compromise makes a significant down payment toward reducing the deficit. We’ll gain savings from both domestic and Pentagon spending while protecting crucial investments such as Pell grants for college students.
The agreement also establishes a bipartisan process to seek a balanced approach to further deficit reduction. It creates a congressional committee with triggered incentives to reach a balanced agreement that protects Social Security, Medicare beneficiaries, and low- income programs. The committee will also determine what we will ask of special interests and the wealthiest Americans.

The President believes that Democrats and Republicans should act to save critical programs like Medicare for the next generation. Those discussions will continue, and making the tax code more fair will remain part of that conversation.

Finally, this is a compromise that stays true to the President’s commitment to shared sacrifice from all Americans, including the most well-off who enjoy tax breaks they don’t need.

We haven’t put this challenge behind us yet. Congressional leaders in both parties will take this compromise to their members and ask them to act. Swift action on this bipartisan agreement is necessary to help our nation avoid default, pay our bills, start reducing our deficit in a responsible way, and allow us to focus on creating jobs and growing our economy.

Birth control!

WOOHOO!!

I am celebrating because the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has ruled that birth control is basic preventive health care and should be made available to millions of women in the United States without a co-pay. This is a huge step forward for health care and women’s rights, made possible by Planned Parenthood.

Free birth control can limit unwanted pregnancies as well as keep women and children healthy. Now income is not the deciding factor if a woman has access to the type of birth control, and can consistently use, which works best for them.

For the next 60 days, the HHS is accepting public commentary. According to Planned Parenthood, HHS is receiving “comments on proposals to exempt certain religious employers, which could lead to some women losing access to this vital protection. ” If you care about this issue, please send HHS a message showing your support. Planned Parenthood has a prewritten letter sample.

Below is the full report:

Huge, wonderful, important news: Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it will require all new insurance plans to cover birth control without co-pays under the new health reform law.

This is one of the biggest victories for women’s health in a generation — and you helped make it happen. It took years for us to get to this point, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you, Esther, for your commitment, your voice, and your steadfast support.

It’s a sweet victory, but we need your help with one more thing. For the next 60 days, HHS is accepting public comments on their ruling, as well as a proposal that would allow some religious employers to deny women access to this vital health care service. Can you take just a moment to post a comment? Tell them that you whole-heartedly support no-co-pay birth control and that all women, regardless of their employer or insurer, should have access to birth control if they want or need it.

By recognizing that birth control is an essential part of preventive health care, this HHS ruling will give countless women access to affordable birth control. That’s why we need to speak up one more time and make sure HHS knows how important this decision is to you, your friends, and your community.

It means fewer unintended pregnancies. It means more college students and young women can control their health and plan their families. It means a woman suffering from endometriosis could get the care she needs — saving her from chronic pain and potential infertility.

In the coming weeks, we can be sure that anti-choice and anti-family-planning groups are going to do everything they can to prevent women from getting access to more affordable birth control. And I have no doubt that their allies in Congress will try to turn back the clock on women’s health once more — it’s what they do. I know that I’ll need to count on you to stand with us against these attacks, and you can get started by sending your comment to HHS today.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Planned Parenthood and the women, men, and teens who rely on us — and for helping make victories like this possible.

Sincerely,

Cecile Richards, President
Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Tuition prices increase

Hey Brandeis,

If you checked your e-mail before 4:15pm today, you have seen the announcement about the increase in charges for the 2011-2012 academic year. According to Keenyn McFarlane, the Vice President for Enrollment, tuition, room and board, and other fees have been increased by 3.9 %. The “total charges,” which of course depends on your choice of housing and meal plan, is around $53,754.

$53,754. Wow. Brandeis is expensive!

To account for the raise in prices, the financial aid budget has been increased by 10.6% for the academic year. McFarlane says that two-thirds of Brandeis students receive some financial aid.

To help sweeten the deal, McFarlane mentions the $6 million upgrade to technology and the $3 – 3.5 million renovation of the pool.

What do you think? Does the technology upgrade and pool reopening demand such a high increase of tuition and other fees? Is Brandeis offering enough financial aid to everyone?

Global Peace Index 2011

Hey Brandeis,

The 2011 edition of the Global Peace Index just came out! It is an annual study compiled by the Institute of Economics and Peace. The GPI ranks 153 nations measuring the absence or presence of violence in society. The base conclusions on 23 indicators, such as military spending and respect for human rights.

Sadly, this year violence has increased around the world. You can read the rankings here. Or you can check out the full report. Iceland ranked #1, closely followed by New Zealand, Japan, and Denmark and the 4 most peaceful countries in the world. The US ranks #82, Israel is #145, and the least peaceful country in the world is Somalia.

Here are the main findings taken from the GPI report:

– The world is less peaceful for the third straight year
– Due to an increased threat of terrorist attacks in 29 nations
– A greater likelihood of violent demonstrations in 33 countries
– Arab Spring unrest heralds biggest ever change in rankings, Libya tumbles 83 spots
– Iceland bounces back from economic woes to top ranking
– Somalia displaces Iraq as world’s least peaceful nation
– Violence cost the global economy more than $8.12 trillion in 2010
– US peacefulness shows minimal change

“It Gets Better” Red Sox Style

During yesterday afternoon’s winning game against the Oakland A’s, the Red Sox announced that they would create an “It Gets Better” video. The Sox will be the third professional sports team to participate in the “It Gets Better” campaign, following the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs. The teams were inspired to make videos by fans, and 12-year-old Sam Maden created a petition to encourage the Sox. Check out the article!

The campaign focuses on telling LGBTQ youth that “It Gets Better”. The project was born when Dan Savage responded to the increasing number suicides, sparked by Billy Lucas. The project consists of over 10,000 youtube video entires from people of all sexual orientations, including celebrities, reaching out to bullied members of the LGBTQ community. I encourage everyone to check out the YouTube Channel, and to listen to the inspiring stories of overcoming bullying and hardship.

I admire the Red Sox for joining the movement to support teenagers struggling with bullying, and to make the critical stance. Susan Goodenow, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Marketing for the Red Sox, declared: “Our team stands for respect and inclusion — there is no place for discrimination or acts of hatred in Red Sox Nation.”

Congratulations Dr. Goldstein

Hello Brandeis!

I would like to give my warmest congratulations to Dr. Steve A.N. Goldstein ’78, the next provost of Brandeis University! (He is succeeding Marty Krauss, Ph.D. ’81.)

He is a professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and director of the Institute of Molecular Pediatric Sciences. He hails from New York City and came to Brandeis in 1974 as an undergraduate. He earned a B.A. and M.A. in biochemistry in 1978, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. In addition, he holds a M.D. and Ph.D. in immunology from Harvard. He returned to Brandeis in 1993 while he completed a postdoctoral research fellowship with biochemistry professor Christopher Miller.

He even met his wife on the Brandeis campus in 1980!

You are all encouraged to welcome Dr. Goldstein by e-mail at Goldstein @brandeis.edu or take up the invitation from President Fred Lawrence to attend a reception on Thursday, June 2, from 3-4 p.m. in the Board of Trustees Room/President’s Garden in the Irving Enclave.

CSA Program

Hello Brandeis!

I know I haven’t even started thinking about going back to Brandeis in the fall, but for those of you with kitchens, you may want to look into the CSA program. Brandeis Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) joins with Warner Farm in Waltham to bring Brandeis lots of fresh, healthy vegetables! The partnership began Fall of 2010 and has brought many yummy fresh foods to hungry Brandeis students ever since.

Brandeis students pay for a “share” in the farm, and receive a weekly shipment of the fruits and veggies!
You can join the 20 week program beginning June 14, or the Brandeis only 8 week option starting in September.

According to the lovely Janna Cohen-Rosenthal, benefits of joining the Brandeis CSA include:

Convenient – pick up your produce right on campus
Taste- high quality food picked just for you
Health-eat more vegetables grown without chemicals
Affordable- less expensive and avoid store trips
Local-support a local farmer and avoid transportation pollution
and many more!

More information and sign up: http://www.warnerfarm.com/members

SAMFund

Hey Brandeis! Check out what Sara Miller and Lauren Fox are up to!

They are leading group of Brandeis students, which includes cancer survivors and friends, to participate in a fundraising competition by the SAMFund (starting by Brandeis grad and teacher Samantha Watson). The group is attempting to raise at least $1,000.

To help, please visit the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170936112962258 or donate online at: http://www.stayclassy.org/member/fundraising?fcid=111947.

Innermost Parts asked Sara and Lauren several questions… let’s see what they said!

1. What exactly is SAMFund? What sets it apart from other groups which help cancer survivors?
-The SAMFund provides financial assistance to young adult cancer survivors to help them transition into their post-treatment lives. Their grants and scholarships can cover a wide variety of costs, such as rent, medical bills, and gym memberships.

2. How did you find out about it and at what made you decide to get involved in fundraising?
-Samantha Eisenstein Watson co-founded The SAMFund, and is a two-time cancer survivor and a Brandeis alumna and professor. She co-teaches Sociology of Disability class with Stephen Gulley every fall. Lauren offered to help with future SAMFund fundraising efforts, and Sam invited her to participate in The SAMFund’s Grand Plan:
Raise 1K in 30 Days. It’s been wonderful how the entire community has rallied together for this cause!

3. Have you participated in other fundraisers or events to raise money for cancer survivors?
– We participated in Relay for Life and Lauren has fundraised for other organizations as well.

4. What are your guys’ plans to raise money for the rest of the semester?
-We raised almost $100 at the Student Union’s Midnight Buffet, and are very grateful to the entire Brandeis community. We are publicizing the campaign online as well. You can check out our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170936112962258.
You can donate online at: http://www.stayclassy.org/member/fundraising?fcid=111947

5. What is your fundraising goal and how much have you collected so far?
– We are aiming for $1,000. So far, we’ve raised $422.

6. Is this a project you hope to bring back to the Brandeis campus next year or more of a one-time thing?
-This is the first time that we’ve done this, but if it’s successful, then we’d love to coordinate the Brandeis Team again next year!

7. Is there anything else you’d like people to know about this project and how they can help out?
-The SAMFund has been instrumental in helping young adult cancer survivors move forward after treatment, and every dollar counts. Whether you donate $5 or $100 or somewhere in between, it will be greatly appreciated! Please spread the word to friends and family!

8. What is your personal motivation for getting involved in the fight against cancer?
-There are actually many students involved in this effort. Cancer has touched the lives of all of us in different ways – some have had loved ones who have had cancer, while others have had cancer themselves. This is a group of Brandeis cancer survivors and supporters helping their peers who are less fortunate.

Student Union

Here is the official list of next year’s Student Union.

Executive Board:
President: Herbie Rosen ’12
Vice President: Gloria Park ’13
Treasurer: Dan Lee ’12
Secretary: Todd Kirkland ’13
Director of Executive Affairs: Abby Kulawitz ’12
Co-Director of Academic Affairs: Rebecca Bachman ’13
Co-Director of Academic Affairs: Savannah Pearlman ’12 – has resigned from Senior Representative to the Alumni Association to take appointed position.
Co-Director of Community Advocacy: Dillon Harvey ’14 – has passed on the position of Racial Minority F-Board Representative to take appointed position.
Co-Director of Community Advocacy: Tamar Schneck ’13 – appointed for a semester, she will be going abroad in the Spring
Co-Director of Communications: Andrea Ortega ’13
Co-Director of Communications: Anthony Nguyen ’14
Director of Office of Student Rights & Advocacy (OSRA): Joshua Roseman ’12

Senate:
Senator-at-Large: Shekeyla Caldwell ’14
Class of 2012 Senator: Missy Skolnik ’12
Class of 2014 Senator: Rosby Kome-Mensah ’14
Class of 2014 Senator: Ricky Rosen ’14 – no relation to Herbie Rosen 🙂

F-Board:
Gabe Weingrod-Nemzow ’12 – F-Board Chair
Sidak Pannu ’12
Jacob Agi ’12
Donghae Choi ’12
Gabby Castellanos ’13 – Appointed by Treasurer & President

Undergraduate Curriculum Committee:
Senior Representative to the UCC: Usman Hameedi ’12
Junior Representative to the UCC: Suzanne Rothman ’13
Appointed Representative to the UCC: Siddhi Krishna ’12

Alumni Association:
Junior Representative to the Alumni Association: Emily Kane ’13

Board of Trustees:
Senior Representative to the Board of Trustees: Adam Hughes ’12
Junior Representative to the Board of Trustees: Beneva Davies ’13

Judiciary:
Associate Justice: Shirel Guez ’12

Website Administrator: Antonio Cancio ’13

Assistant Treasurers:
Nathan Israel ’14
Harry Kaufer ’13
Sunny Aidasani ’14
Owen Voelker ’14
Jacob Zaslavsky ’13
Yehuda Tretin ’12
Carlton Shakes ’13
Sam Goldberg ’14
Anthony Nguyen ’14 – Also Co-Director of Communications

Positions to be filled:
By Election:
1 Senator-at-Large
1 Class of 2012 Senator
2 Class of 2013 Senators
1 Racial Minority Senator
1 Transitional Year Program (TYP) Senator
2 Class of 2015 Senators
1 Off-Campus Senator
1 North Quad Senator
1 Massell Quad Senator
1 East Quad Senator
1 Castle Quad Senator
1 Rosenthal Quad Senator
1 Village Quad Senator
1 Ziv Quad Senator
1 Ridgewood Quad Senator
1 Mods Quad Senator
1 Charles River Senator
1 Senior Representative to the Alumni Association
2 Representatives to the Brandeis Sustainability Fund Board (BSF Board)
1 Racial Minority F-Board Member
4 Student Union Judiciary Members

By Appointment:
Various Committee Positions, appointed by Director of Executive Affairs & President

PAX

Yesterday, the Peace, Conflict, and Coexistence minor program was renewed for another 5 years at Brandeis! YAY!

You can find out more about the program here.

I am a PAX minor, which has been one of the best decisions of my life! The professors are fantastic, the classes are relevant and interesting! If you thinking of becoming a PAX minor or just want to find out more, please contact me.

If are aren’t a PAX minor, I challenge you to take a class or go to the Peace Vigil. You just might love it!

AWESOME Summer Opportunity!

For those of you who haven’t met Alex Kern, he is the fantastic Protestant Chaplain here at Brandeis. Not only is he one of the kindest and most compassionate people I have ever met, he is a champion of peace and justice. He promotes peace on campus, and also serves as the executive director of Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries. Alex earned a master of divinity degree at Andover Newton Theological School, where he also served as adjunct faculty and staff. He received a bachelor’s degree in religious studies, history and African-American studies from Guilford College in North Carolina. He has a certificate from the Boston Theological Institute for work focused on reconciliation, ecumenism and restorative justice.

He is hosting the Interfaith Youth Initiative 2011 Summer Program Sunday July 10 to Sunday July 17, 2011 here at Brandeis University, Waltham, MA. The camp’s focus this year will be to “interpret our spiritual visions of justice and peace, while living out Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Beloved Community” in the 21st century”. Pretty awesome huh?

This unique program gives students from various religious backgrounds the opportunity to meet, create understanding, and work together for peace!

Men and women are housed in separate staffed areas on campus, and if desired, students may commute from home. Religious and dietary needs will be accommodated.

For more information and an application,contact Alexander Levering Kern or Matt Carriker at:
Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries, Interfaith Youth Initiative 474 Centre St., Newton, MA 02458
617-244-3650 IFYI@coopmet.org, www.coopmet.org

Important Message from the Brandeis Labor Coalition!

Hello Brandeis!

I know this has been posted before, but this issue is so important I need you to tell ALL of your friends.

SIGN THE PETITION TO SUPPORT BRANDEIS DINING SERVICE WORKERS!

I have been reading in the news about other college campuses where students have made fierce campaigns to support workers. Right now, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, students are protesting for worker’s rights. Check it out here. Students at the College of William and Mary were arrested for peacefully protesting in the President’s Office (check out our coverage here). In Atlanta at Emory University there was a protest against food and facilities giant Sodexco.

As social justice is important to us all, Brandeis must join the fight for workers to be treated fairly, with respect, and with dignity.

Here is the message from the BLC:

Hey All,

So the Brandeis Dining Service Workers are renegotiating their
contract with Aramark this summer or early fall. The Brandeis
Labor Coalition is starting a petition to show the Aramark
administration that there is pressure from students, faculty, and staff
to create a strong contract. Our motto is: Raises, Rights, and
Respect.

Please sign the petition and forward widely: http://j.mp/SupportWorkers
Interested in getting more involved in this campaign? Contact Rachel
Sier rsier@brandeis.edu or Alana Pellerito apell915@brandeis.edu

Does this new information change anything?

There is a new official account of Sunday night, check it out in the New York Times article.

According to the reports, the following information has been released to the public:
1. Osama was NOT armed.
2. There was heavy fire from others in the house.
3. Osama’s wife was shot in the leg, but not killed.
4. Navy seals did not know if Osama wore a suicide bomb and acted in a split second decision to shoot him.
5. “Several experts on the rules of engagement in combat said that in a raid on a target as dangerous as Bin Laden, the Navy Seals team would be justified to open fire at the slightest commotion when they burst into a room.”
6. There was a plan to take Osama alive, and if he had surrendered, he would have been captured.
7. He was killed early Monday morning, not Sunday night.
8. Officials are still deciding to release pictures of his body or not. “It looks like him, covered in blood with a hole in his head,” an official said.

So dear Brandeis, what do we think? Are the marines justified in shooting Osama while he was unarmed? Was this an illegal operation? Has the story changed because it was late and the government wanted to release information quickly, or did they purposely manipulate details?

Edit: Hey guys! I misremembered the information when I wrote this post. They were Navy seals, not marines. My bad.

ELECTIONS Round 2!!!

Congratulations to the newly elected!

2014 Class Senate
Rosby Kome-Mensah
Ricky Rosen

2012 Class Senate
Missy Skolnik

Senator at Large
Shekeyla Caldwell

Student Union Judiciary
Shirel Guez

FBoard
Sidak Pannu

Racial Minority FBoard
Dillon Harvey

Jr. Representative to the Alumni Association
Emily Kane

Jr. Rep to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
Suzanne Rothman

The rest of the positions remain unfilled until first thing next semester.
The Racial Minority Senate and 2013 Class Senate results are not
listed, due to the fact that there were no candidates officially
running.

Election results: election results

Osama Update

If you are interested in learning more about the Osama Operation, check out this New York Times article!

Here are the highlights of the operation:

For years, the agonizing search for Osama bin Laden kept coming up empty. Then last July, Pakistanis working for the Central Intelligence Agency drove up behind a white Suzuki navigating the bustling streets near Peshawar, Pakistan, and wrote down the car’s license plate. The man in the car was Bin Laden’s most trusted courier, and over the next month C.I.A. operatives would track him throughout central Pakistan. Ultimately, administration officials said, he led them to a sprawling compound at the end of a long dirt road and surrounded by tall security fences in a wealthy hamlet 35 miles from the Pakistani capital.

On a moonless night eight months later, 79 American commandos in four helicopters descended on the compound, the officials said. Shots rang out. A helicopter stalled and would not take off. Pakistani authorities, kept in the dark by their allies in Washington, scrambled forces as the American commandos rushed to finish their mission and leave before a confrontation. Of the five dead, one was a tall, bearded man with a bloodied face and a bullet in his head. A member of the Navy Seals snapped his picture with a camera and uploaded it to analysts who fed it into a facial recognition program.

And just like that, history’s most expansive, expensive and exasperating manhunt was over. The inert frame of Osama bin Laden, America’s enemy No. 1, was placed in a helicopter for burial at sea, never to be seen or feared again. A nation that spent a decade tormented by its failure to catch the man responsible for nearly 3,000 fiery deaths in New York, outside Washington and Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001, at long last had its sense of finality, at least in this one difficult chapter.