The Justice, March 29, 2022

Students and faculty sign petition for Ukraine

■ The petition asks the University to provide support for students and scholars affected by the war in Ukraine.

By JACKLYN GOLOBORODSKY JUSTICE EDITOR

In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, individuals and organizations around the world have been taking initiatives to support victims of the conflict, one of these being students at Harvard University. Taisia Kulyk started a petition to the Harvard administration called “Petition to Harvard to Support Students Affected by the War in Ukraine.” This petition urges the administration to offer a range of academic, financial, and legal support to students and scholars from the regions of Ukraine, Russia, and Belarusia.

In the footsteps of Harvard students, Brandeis students Berta Muza ’25 and Aeryn Rowe ’25 tailored the Harvard petition to suit Brandeis. The Brandeis petition emphasizes the values of Justice Louis D. Brandeis and the University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclu-

Brandeis holds ‘Wellness Day’ for stressed students

■ Planned by the Student Union, "Wellness Day" included programming from different organizations on campus.

By LEAH BREAKSTONE JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Fellows Garden was bustling with bubble tea, ice cream, puppies, and more on Friday, March 25. These treats were all part of “Wellness Day,” planned by the Division of Student Affairs and the Student Union.

Student Union President Krupa Sourirajan ’23, who spearheaded "Wellness Day," explained to the Justice in a March 25 interview that

mental health has been a dominant focus during her term. The idea for a wellness day emerged after Sourirajan realized that students were getting burnt out during the sevenweek stretch between the February and Passover breaks, a time filled with midterms.

“I thought that students could really use a break. So I talked to President Liebowitz around February break and Courtney Thrun, my Vice President, and I, we sat down with him and kind of explained to him why students are going to feel the burnout during this sevenweek period from one break to the next break,” Sourirajan said. Since it was already well into the semester, it was difficult to implement real long-term solutions, so instead they decided that a good alternative would be to give students a day-off.

 Alexis Dainis '11 turned her love for biology and video into a career as a science YouTuber and TikToker.

By JACK YUANWEI CHENG

Many clubs and organizations hosted activities or programming for this day, including the Office of Graduate Affairs; Athletics; Prevention, Advocacy & Resource Center; the Dean of Students Office; the Gender and Sexuality Center; Triskelion; the Intercultural Center; and Student Sexuality Information Services. Activities included crafts, lawn games, carnival games, a wellness walk, and more.

Sourirajan hoped for a Monday or Wednesday off, “so it would really feel like a day off,” but the only day the University was able to provide was a Friday. While not all professors were able to cancel their classes on Friday because of previously planned tests or lectures, Sourirajan and Thrun asked Provost Carol

sion statement which speaks to the core social justice values of the University: “safeguarding the safety, dignity, and well-being of all its members.” The petition highlights that the University has thus far acted according to its values and in order to keep doing so, the petition “calls on Brandeis to support our Russian, Ukrainian, and Belorussian community members not only through student-based actions but as a University.” As of March 25, the Brandeis petition has 199 signatures from students, faculty, and alumni.

The petitions, both Harvard and Brandeis, give an overview of the devastating consequences of the Russian invasion on Ukranians, as well as on Russians and Belarussians. Addressed to the respective administrations and leadership, the petition asks for formal support for students and scholars affected by the war.

Following the framework of the Harvard petition, the Brandeis petition also highlights sections where the University can provide support. The first section speaks on academic and mental health support. The petition asks the University to See UKRAINE, 5 ☛

Univ. dissociates from Middle Eastern Studies Association

■ The dissociation was the result of MESA voting to endorse boycotting Israeli academic institutions.

By DALYA KOLLER JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Brandeis has dissociated from the Middle Eastern Studies Association, according to a March 24 article on BrandeisNow after MESA voted in favor of a resolution endorsing the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions of Israeli academic institutions.

Brandeis has openly and clearly stated, in the same press release on the BrandeisNow website, that “Brandeis University condemns MESA’s boycott of institutions of higher education in Israel.”

Brandeis asserted that the “resolution attacks the fundamental principles of academic freedom and association to which MESA specifically refers in its mission statement, and to which Brandeis is committed.” The University made no official statement regarding its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, and it was stated that as a principle, Brandeis condemns academic boycotts of universities in any country. The University has stated that the disassociation from MESA

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By JASON FRANK

is a way to reaffirm their support for academic freedom in general. According to a press release on MESA’s website, endorsing the call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions is a way to “hold the [Israeli] government accountable for ongoing human rights violations.” The results of the vote were 768-167, a clear majority in favor of endorsing the BDS movement. In the same press release, MESA president Eve Troutt Powell stated that “MESA's Board will work to honor the will of its members and ensure that the call for an academic boycott is upheld without undermining our commitment to the free exchange of ideas and scholarship.”

The BDS resolution calls for the boycott of Israeli academic institutions because they are “complicit in Israel’s violations of human rights and international law through their provision of direct assistance to the military and intelligence establishments,” according to the BDS website. They call for the boycott of all Israeli academic institutions as a way to “end this complicity.” The resolution has expressed clearly that the boycott will not target individual scholars or students and reiterates that each member of MESA has a right to choose whether or not they participate in the academic boycott.

See MESA, 5 ☛

Fred Guttenberg speaks about gun violence

By ISABEL ROSETH

Protecting

Max

THOMAS TIANCHENG ZHENG/ The Justice

Photo Courtesy of ALEXIS DAINIS

FREE TREATS : Students gather in Fellows Garden and enjoy free bubble tea during "Wellness Day" on Friday, March 25.

SENATE LOG

Sen. Samantha Shortall ’22, who is in charge of the Midnight Buffet, presented the shirts to the Senate, and said that she had added some larger sizes since there were not enough for all the attendees last semester.

The Senate voted to expedite the SMR so that they would not need to wait until next week to vote on approving it. The Senate then voted to approve the SMR by acclamation.

Jason Dayan ’23 returned to the Senate to request that they charter the Brandeis Haircutting Club. Dayan said that the club was working with Chabad and Hillel in order to organize a community haircutting drive. The haircutting at the drive would be done by a local barbershop, Dayan said, as haircutting requires a license which students do

POLICE LOG

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Mar. 21—There was a medical emergency in the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Center for the Humanities. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and refused further care.

Mar. 21—There was a medical emergency in Ziv Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

Mar. 21—There was a medical emergency at the Science Complex. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and refused further care.

Mar. 22—There was a medical emergency at the Charles River Apartments. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

not have.

The Senate chartered the club by acclamation.

Samantha Atlas ’25 came to ask the Senate to charter the Hot Pilates Club. Atlas said that Pilates is like “the opposite of yoga” in that it “integrates the body and the mind.”

Atlas said that the club would need funding in order to hire a professional to lead the club’s weekly sessions.

The Senate chartered the club by acclamation.

Joseph Pendleton ’24 came to the Senate to ask that they charter the Effective Altruism Club. He explained that effective altruism is a philosophical ideology based on the idea of using evidence and reason to do the most good for the most people.

Pendleton said that there will be an eightweek fellowship each semester to introduce students to the ideas of effective altruism.

The Senate chartered the Effective Altruism Club by roll call, with all present voting

in favor, except Camaron Johnson ’25, who abstained.

Joshua Liu ’23 asked the Senate to recognize the Brandeis Pokemon Club. The difference between chartering and recognition is that a recognized club can book spaces on campus but not request school funding, whereas a chartered club can do both.

Although the Senate had concerns over Liu’s indication that the club has no treasurer or e-board, many senators were still in favor of recognition.

“I think they should become a club,” Sen. Joseph Coles ’22 said. “All they’re asking is to book space, so very reluctantly I’ll vote for them.”

The Senate voted to recognize the club by acclamation.

Max Feigelson

gency at the Charles River Apartments. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and refused further care.

Mar. 27—There was a medical emergency in East Quad. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and refused further care.

Mar. 27—There was a medical emergency in Skyline Residence Hall. The party was treated by BEMCo staff and transported to a local hospital via ambulance.

LARCENY

Mar. 23—A staff member reported the larceny of a banner in the Usdan Student Center. A report of the incident was composed.

Mar. 23—A community member reported that food was stolen from the

Mar. 25—There was a medical emer-

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The Justice Brandeis University Mailstop 214 P.O. Box 549110 Waltham, MA 02454-9110 Phone: (781) 736-3750

The Managing Editor holds

7:30

communal kitchen cupboard. A report of the incident was composed.

VANDALISM

Mar. 25—A community member in Skyline Residence Hall reported that their umbrella was damaged while outside their bedroom door.

Compiled by Noah Zeitlin

Graphic by NOAH ZEITLIN/the Justice Follow theJustice! @theJusticeNewspaper Image Courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS Do you have a nose for news? Contact Hannah Taylor and Jacklyn Goloborodsky at news@thejustice.org Want the scoop? @theJustice Follow theJustice! Image Courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS ■ A forum op-ed incorrectly suggested that Corrections Corporation of America, now CoreCivic, was involved in the drafting of SB 1070, an anti-immigration law. (March 22, 9) The Justice welcomes submissions for errors that warrant correction or clarification. Send an email to editor@ thejustice.org.

The Student Union Senate chartered three clubs and recognized a fourth at its March 27 meeting. The Senate also approved a Senate Money Resolution to provide funding for t-shirts for this semester’s Midnight Buffet.

Father of Parkland shooting victim talks to Univ. students

■ Fred Guttenberg spoke to students about his work as a gun violence prevention activist in a March 24 talk.

By ISABEL ROSETH JUSTICE EDITOR

Activist Fred Guttenberg gave an impassioned lecture on the dangers of gun violence at an event on March 24 hosted by Brandeis Students Demand Action. Guttenberg’s daughter, Jaime, was among the 17 killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14, 2018, the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. Since his daughter’s death, Guttenberg has been an outspoken advocate for gun control and against gun violence, speaking at events across the country and urging teenagers and young adults to speak out.

Guttenberg began by informing the audience that at the end he would take questions, saying, “There is nothing I won’t answer.” He also noted that the event was taking place on the four-year anniversary of March For Our Lives in Washington D.C., which was organized by students at MSD High School. “I am honored to actually be spending it with young people, with students,” he said, describing the young people in the U.S. as people he “value[s] deeply.”

Guttenberg began his presentation by urging students to find their “happy place,” explaining that he likes to get everybody in a certain kind of mood at the beginning of his talks. He told the audience to close their eyes and relax. After a few moments, Guttenberg broke the silence by slamming his hands down on the podium and yelling, “Boom!” Audience members gasped at the exclamation.

“People always say to me, ‘I can’t imagine how you feel,’” he said. “I have spent the last four years trying to get people to imagine how I feel [and] wanting people to understand that in the greatest moment of your life, things can happen that can change it.” He went on to describe one of those moments in his life — the morning of Feb. 14, 2018, the last time he saw and spoke to his daughter.

His goal that day was to introduce his two children to the “romance of Valentine’s day,” and he had been planning a special day for the family. But that morning, he was rushing his children out the door. It was a chaotic morning — they were running late for school and were arguing, “as was usually the case,” according to Guttenberg. His last words to his children that morning were him telling them they had to go or they would be late. Then, Jaime Guttenberg was shot and killed. “I never expected that boom — that sudden, abrupt end,” he said.

Guttenberg then posed a serious question for the audience to consider “forevermore”: “Who here wants to get shot?” He said that he knew the answer, which was no one. He went on to say that no one wants a loved one to be shot either, and no one wants “that horrible phone call.” No one, he said, wants that “abrupt end.” His goal, he explained, is to have a world where getting shot or a loved one being shot is not everyone’s biggest worry. He urged the audience to become serious about gun violence prevention and to become a bigger part of that movement, telling them that their “lives depend on it.”

Guttenberg then began to speak more about his family. His brother, Michael Guttenberg ’89, was a first responder during and after the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Michael Guttenberg, or “BEMCo Mike,” as he was known around the University campus, died of cancer on Oct. 17, 2017

as a result of 9/11. He worked at the site for three days, breathing in toxins that later caused his pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed in 2013 and spread to his liver and intestines after a few years of being cancer free. After his death, he was given a “hero’s funeral” by the New York City Fire Department, according to Guttenberg. “My brother was a person who never put himself first,” Guttenberg said. “[He] always, always lived his days to take care of others.”

“Gun violence isn’t only about the people we bury,” he said. “It’s also about the people who survive.”

On Feb. 14, 2018, Guttenberg’s son, Jesse, called him just after 2 p.m. to tell him that there was a shooting at the school. “My son is a jokester, so I did not take him seriously at first,” Guttenberg said. It wasn’t until his son said that he could not find Jaime that Guttenberg realized it was the truth — his son, he said, “wouldn’t mess around about her safety.” Jesse said that the students were being made to run, but he had to turn around because he could not find his sister. Guttenberg told his son he had to get as far away as possible. “[Jesse] said, ‘I have to find Jaime.’ I said, ‘don’t you dare. You keep running,’” Guttenberg said of the phone call. As they were on the phone, his son told him that he was hearing more bullets. “Those were the ones on the third floor that were killing his sister,” Guttenberg said.

“I sent two children to school that day,” Guttenberg said. “Only one of them came home.”

Guttenberg then explained how he became an advocate for gun violence prevention after the shooting. That day, he said, it never occurred to him that what had happened was gun violence. Parkland, he explained, was a place where gun violence did not happen — until it did. Soon after the shooting, he attended a memorial, and the mayor asked him if he wanted to take her speaking slot, and Guttenberg agreed. He did not know what he was going to say, except that he would talk about Jaime. “I got up on the stage and I looked down at the thousands of people carrying their candles … people crying … and for the first time, it really hit me: this was gun violence,” Guttenberg said.

“I said that night, without having any evidence to make a statement like this, but it turns out I was right: ‘This time, gun violence touched the wrong dad and the wrong community,’” Guttenberg said of his speech at the memorial. “And I set out on a mission that night … to break the f—ing gun lobby.” He is not going to quit, he said, until he does. To do so, he said that he needs young people to use their voices and their power. “I need you,” he said to the audience.

Guttenberg then talked about the “amazing support” he has received over the last four years. John Kasich, who was the Republican governor of Ohio from 2011 to 2019, shocked Guttenberg “to no end.”

Because many Republicans support gun rights and are opposed to strict gun reform, Kasich’s support made that much more of a difference. He showed, Guttenberg said, that solving gun violence did not have to be a partisan issue. “Bullets don’t know what party you belong to when they hit you,” Guttenberg said.

Kasich was not the only politician that provided support to Guttenberg. Roughly a week after Jaime was killed, Guttenberg received a phone call from an unknown number. Because he did not know who was calling, he did not pick up. It was only after receiving a voicemail from that number that Guttenberg learned that it was Joe Biden who had called him. In the message, Biden said that he would call him back at 6 p.m., but if Guttenberg did not want to talk, he would understand. When he called again, Guttenberg picked up, and they

spoke for over an hour. On the call, Biden wanted to know more about his children and his wife, and he asked how the family was doing so early on after the shooting. “When he asked me that question, I knew he was asking me as a person who truly understands what it’s like to lose people you love,” Guttenberg said.

Three weeks after the phone call, Guttenberg met Biden in person at an event in Florida for the Beau Biden Foundation along with more parents of other Parkland victims. He expected to only have a minute to say hello, but the parents were brought to a private room and spoke with Biden for almost 45 minutes. During that meeting, Biden gave what Guttenberg considers to be the “single most important advice” he has ever received about grief. “He went on to tell me, ‘We don’t all grieve the same way,’” Guttenberg said. Biden told him that the majority of marriages break up after a tragedy such as losing a child — 92% — to prepare him. He told Guttenberg that it is important to find ways to support each other despite grieving differently, and it ended up saving Guttenberg’s family. While Guttenberg has been very vocal and public ever since the shooting, his wife and son “wanted no part of that,” and without Biden’s advice, Guttenberg thinks that he would not have been able to understand that.

Guttenberg told the audience that “we all go through things in life,” but that nothing he has been through has ever come close to his experience as a grieving parent. He said that he has “been from the lowest possible moments that a human being can go through,” but that he has learned that there is always a way forward. “There is always a way to make that next step, and there’s always people to help you when you feel like you’re too weak to do it on your own,” Guttenberg said.

Guttenberg was asked how young people can fight a “system that won’t listen.” In response, he told the student that the way to fight is to vote. “The system is listening,” he said. It is where people don’t vote that “the system not listening succeeds.” Four years ago, when Jaime was killed, there were 300 million weapons on the streets of America. Today, there are over 400 million. Guttenberg said gun violence cannot be eradicated completely, but he believes that much more can be done to prevent it than is being done currently. Guttenberg was adamant that anyone who believes that their vote does not matter is wrong.

Another student asked why Guttenberg did not consider running for office. Guttenberg had been asked by a congressman he was friends with to run in the past, but he never had a desire to. He explained that he does not want a lifetime of campaigning and fundraising, and that he does not want to moderate his voice. Doing what he is currently doing, he is able to hold people accountable and say what he believes needs to be said.

“I got pretty good access without being elected to anything,” he said.

Another question posed was what Guttenberg believes can be done to help communities that are consistently victims of gun violence. In response, Guttenberg said that one thing he focuses on is providing food to these communities. In the first week after Jaime’s death, he said that he did not know how he and his family ate that week.

When everything just stops, it is hard to remember to take care of yourself, so Guttenberg said that in a few weeks, he and his wife are announcing a partnership with José Andrés, a famous chef, in which they will strive to feed victims of gun violence across the country.

“Whatever communities [or] individuals — doesn’t matter where — are affected by gun violence, we are going to be there,” he said.

Romance dept. hosts Latina Poetry Night

■ Students and faculty gathered to listen to and read poems written by Latina poets.

By AMANDA CHEN JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

On Wednesday, March 23, people gathered in Shiffman 219 to listen to students and faculty read poems written by Latina poets with piano accompaniment by Alyssa Zylberger ’25. In celebration of women’s history month, Prof. Zoila Castro (ROMS), Prof. Lucía Reyes de Deu (ROMS), Prof. Elena González Ros (ROMS), and academic administrators Katie Dickinson and Ellen Rounseville organized the inaugural Latina Poetry Night. The event aimed to highlight Latina women’s courage to express themselves through powerful poetry, help students practice their Spanish, celebrate the beauty of the Spanish language, and showcase the value of the arts. Castro first proposed the idea of a poetry night, and she reached out to past and current students for volunteers. Students could either recommend a poem or pick from a list Castro prepared. Originally, they intended to have more readers, but some volunteers had to cancel due to COVID19-related issues.

As a bilingual event, Castro gave an opening speech in English, and Reyes de Deu gave one in Spanish. Then, Reyes de Deu introduced the first group of poems which were published during the first half of the 1900s. She said that the first three poems “are a hymn to female freedom and autonomy. All three poems describe a cage that limits women’s freedom, and the three poets propose to free themselves from it.” Sarah Eckstein Indik ’24 presented two poems: “Hombre pequeñito” (“Little Man”) by Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni and “Conversación entre Viajeros” (“Conversation among Travelers”) by Mexican poet Rosario Castellanos.

Annette Pinstein ’25 read Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos’s poem, “Río Grande de Loíza” (“Loíza’s Big River”). Reyes de Deu said that the second group of poems “celebrates the poetic word as an expression of profoundly feminine feelings.” She

explained that “the first deals with the relationship between a mother and her son, and the second with literary creation and the power of the word.” Castro recited Peruvian poet Blanca Varela’s “Casa de Cuervos” (“House of Ravens”). Lea Zaharoni ’25 performed “Gozos Cibernéticos” (“Cyber Joys”) by Nicaraguan poet Gioconda Belli.

Finally, Reyes de Deu explained that the last poem “rebels against rules and expectations imposed on a young Dominican woman who sees herself as someone she is not. The poetic word gives her the power to reclaim her identity.” Michaela McCormack ’23 presented Dominican-American poet Elizabeth Acevedo’s poem, “Hair.”

The Justice asked Castro what she thought of the students’ performances. She recognized how difficult it was to stand in front of an audience and present a poem in their non-native language, and despite that, the students did a great job, and she deeply appreciated their hard work. The student speakers had varying levels of experience when it came to performing poetry. For example, this was McCormack’s first time reciting poetry, while Pinstein had previous experience from participating in Poetry Out Loud and memorizing poems for French class at her high school.

The poems students picked also appealed to them for different reasons. McCormack explained that “as a Black person who’s had a similar relationship with my hair, the poem kinda fits really well.” They liked how the poem dealt with the dynamics of racism, discrimination, and colorism and found hair to be a central issue.

On the other hand, Pinstein chose the de Burgos poem because she liked the references to the river, the structure of the poem, and the natural imagery. She described the poem as “evocative.” When the Justice asked Pinstein why this kind of event is important, she said, “It’s good to have this kind of art on campus and to celebrate art that we feel represents us…[This event] hopefully [helps] people to feel seen [and] to see themselves reflected in art.”

The Department of Romance Studies hopes to make Latina Poetry Night a tradition and to continue creating similar events.

On Friday, March 25, the University notified the Brandeis community that some of the former COVID-19 precautions would be reimplemented. Masking is once again required at events with 20 or more attendees. The email stated, "we are currently experiencing the highest number of quarantining and isolating students at any point since COVID arrived," and warned that, "with April break, finals, and Commencement in the nottoo-distant future, the last thing anyone wants is to return to more significant restriction."

According to the Brandeis COVID-19 dashboard, since March 6, 195 Brandeis students have tested positive for COVID-19, causing more students to selfisolate and quarantine. The new positive tests are mostly linked to off-campus events, according to contact-tracing data. In the past week, 110 students tested positive, compared to zero staff and

faculty members — who are no longer required to test.

Students continue to have mixed feelings about the changes. Jillian Brosofsky ’23 was skeptical of reducing testing and masking. “It just kind of scared me that we weren't being as cautious as we were at the beginning, and it felt very irresponsible to open up so fast just because 'we want you guys to have a normal college experience.'” Others don't find the changes very alarming. Ayla Wrubel ’25, who had COVID-19 two weeks ago, is comfortable with the loosening of rules. She believes that keeping campus safe and promoting a sense of normalcy is a balancing act, but argues that “[COVID-19] should not stop us from continuing to enjoy campus activities in person, as a community.”

—Gabriella Fine

UKRAINE: Petition encourages Univ. to help those affected by war

WELLNESS: Students receive day off of class

CONTINUED FROM 1 CONTINUED

The petition asks the University to implement proactive academic support for students affected by the violence and destruction in Ukraine. Academic extensions and accommodations from professors will allow Ukrainian students and scholars to “grieve, organize, communicate with loved ones,” and anything else they may need as a result of the war.

In regards to mental health support, the petition asks for proactive mental health support from Student Accessibility Support, the Brandeis Counseling Center, and, if needed, finding and financing external specialists.

The second section discusses Financial and Housing assistance. Ukrainian students “need to support their loved ones who have had to flee the country or who are endangered in Ukraine,” and since it is unclear what the short and long term consequences of the war are, the petition identifies a need for financial support for Ukrainian students, Ukrainian-American students, and scholars whose families are affected.

In addition to the financial consequences for Ukranians, Russians and Belarussians are facing financial repercussions of the war, including government imposed capital controls. Furthermore, according to the petition, Western economic sanctions have caused

devaluation of the ruble against the U.S. dollar and a significant income decrease for ordinary Russians. The current economic situation is deteriorating in both Russia and Belarus, causing “families to lose their savings and have to choose between supporting their children’s education and providing for their family’s basic needs.”

With an overview of the dire economic situation, the petition asks that the University provide emergency grants to cover expenses, summer housing, and meal plans for students who can’t return home; alleviation or reduction of tuition costs; a grace period of debt relief for both students and alumni; and a review of financial aid decisions for incoming students from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus. The petition also asks that the University fundraise through international alumni outreach.

The third section is dedicated to legal and immigration assistance.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues with “tanks, armored vehicles, and high-precision artillery directed at the Ukrainian capital and other cities, firing at schools, orphanages, and apartment buildings indiscriminately,” making it dangerous for Ukranians to stay in their country, or return due to lack of necessary documentation.

The petition urges Brandeis to provide financial and legal support for Ukrainian students and their families who wish to apply for asylum and refugee status in the U.S., as well as pressure policymakers to

FRED GUTTENBERG

support Ukranians seeking refugee status. The legal danger for Russian and Belarussian individuals is less obvious, yet also a pressing issue, explains the petition. It urges Brandeis to help these students and scholars in applying for asylum and in legal support for violators of Russian laws that have been implemented to prevent Russians from helping Ukraine. Brandeis should also support opportunities for students and scholars from these countries to stay and work in the U.S., as well as actively resist measures restricting these individuals from studying and staying in the country, the petition states.

The last section of the petition asks the University to publicly announce their commitment to these actions in supporting affected students in terms of academic, mental health, financial, and legal support. A public statement will draw more attention to the war, offer reassurance, and, as the petition expresses, “save lives.”

The petition calls on Brandeis to “uphold its legacy of protecting international students” during this new crisis, and take the opportunity to lead “nationwide institutional support behind students and scholars from the affected regions.”

Muza and Rowe urge students, faculty, and alumni to sign the petition and support the nationwide initiative to help Ukranians affected by the invasion, as well as Russians and Belarussians.

Fierke and Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences Dorothy Hodgson to “encourage faculty to give a ‘day off.’” The two recommended that if professors could not cancel their classes, they do something different and engaging during their time.

“For example, if you’re in a physics class, you might be playing with slinkys and learning about wave motions and things like that,” Sourirajan said.

Another challenge with planning a wellness day is that “any time you bring up an idea to administration, you need to get a lot of backing for it, you need a lot of evidence, so it was a lot to plan,” Sourirajan said. She spent around 15-20 hours thinking about how she was going to present the idea to President Liebowitz, including coming up with an abundance of back-up plans, since she was not ready to take “no” for an answer.

Liebowitz agreed with Sourirajan and Thrun about the need for a wellness day. Although her term ends this semester, Sourirajan is hoping that “I can create some sort of schedule with President Liebowitz and Provost Fierke moving forward for the next three academic years of surprise days off within the semester,” she said.

Not giving students a lot of no-

tice about the day was intentional, according to Sourirajan. She explained that by not telling students too far in advance, the hope was that they would actually take the day off rather than using the time to catch up on work. This system has been successful at other institutions, according to Sourirajan, so she is hopeful the same will be true here.

If wellness days continue in the future, they will likely be in the spring semester as there are multiple days off in the fall semester due to various Jewish holidays.

From the perspective of the Student Union President who spends a lot of time working behind the scenes with the administration, Sourirajan believes that university officials do care a lot about the wellbeing of students and are very cognizant of their needs. She explained that the administration definitely has good intentions, but not all students are able to see that since it mostly occurs behind closed doors. She believes that there is room for improvement in “making sure they [the University] are as transparent as possible and that they are being really effective in marketing and social media so that everyone can see that.”

For Sourirajan, the goal of wellness day is “just to have students take some time off for themselves,” and she hopes it becomes a new tradition that will live on in the future.

DAY OFF

THOMAS TIANCHENG ZHENG/the Justice

PUPPIES: Students in Fellows Garden enjoy the company of puppies on "Wellness Day."

MESA: Univ. supports academic

freedom

CONTINUED FROM 1

MESA’s website states that “since 2005, the BDS vote has been discussed among MESA members,” and that MESA members have organized a variety of conversations and debates regarding participating in BDS of Israeli institutions “and other ways of standing in solidarity with Palestinian scholars at risk under Israel’s longstanding military occupation.” Powell stated in the

same press release, “We affirm our commitment to academic freedom for Palestinians, and for all scholars in all countries throughout the region.”

The boycott would not affect Brandeis, but the University has stated that the boycott goes against their values of academic freedom for all, no matter the country, and therefore they have made the decision to dissociate from MESA. MESA has, at this point, not voted to boycott academic institutions of any other country, only Israeli institutions.

On March 24, Fred Guttenberg, father of Jaime Guttenberg who was killed in the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, spoke about gun violence.

JACK YUANWEI CHENG/the Justice

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From the lab bench to the For You page

Alex Dainis ‘11 created a career out of making videos about science after getting her doctorate in genetics. Her content has received millions of views and brought her to places and people that she never expected. She spoke to the Justice on March 18 about her journey from biology and film student, to unexpected viral sensation, to full-time science content creator.

By JACK YUANWEI CHENG JUSTICE EDITOR

The year was 2019. Alex Dainis ’11 had just graduated from Stanford University with a doctorate degree in genetics. Many of her peers stayed in academia to continue their research, and others joined the biotech industry. Instead of taking one of those traditional paths, Alex took a leap of faith and started making science videos on YouTube full-time. She also started her own video production company and named it, in classic biology nerd fashion, Helicase Media, after a protein essential for DNA replication in cells. At this point, she had been making science videos on YouTube since 2012, a year after she graduated from Brandeis. Now, she just needed to make it a real job.

Alex first started to take an interest in science when she was a child. Her dad is an engineer, and her mom is very fond of gardening and the outdoors. She spent her childhood watching her dad apply science through his engineering work and getting what she calls “hands-on biology experience” from gardening with her mom. By the time she was applying to college, her heart was set on biology. She received the merit-based Justice Brandeis Scholarship and started attending Brandeis in 2007, where she studied biology as she’d planned. She worked in the Garrity Lab, where she discovered her passion for biological research. But this wasn’t the only subject she explored her passion for during her time at Brandeis: Alex graduated in 2011 with a major in Biology and a minor in Film, TV, and Interactive Media.

Alex’s interest in filmmaking started much later than her interest in science, but it became crucial in her quest to become a professional online science content creator. In high school, she got a point-and-shoot camera and started making short videos to upload onto YouTube. They got only around 20 views and according to Alex, “None of them were good, all of them were terrible.” This

was in the early days of YouTube, when most of the content on the site was casual, low-effort videos made in peoples’ bedrooms, the 2000s equivalent of high schoolers making dance videos on TikTok today. Most of Alex’s early videos were in the same category as the rest of the platform, but her videos are no longer available online, except for the one that started her crazy journey towards becoming a full-time science educator on the internet.

After graduating from Brandeis in 2011, Alex worked for Richard Lewis Media Group, a film production company in Watertown making interactive science media for museums, before starting at Stanford in 2013. During her time at the company, she posted a video of herself lip-syncing to early-2000s teen heartthrob Aaron Carter’s “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It)” over the span of six years.

A reporter at HuffPost wrote an article about the video the day after it was published, and the video has since received over 300,000 views. That video led to an influx of viewers and subscribers on Alex’s YouTube channel. “I was like, ‘What do I now do with these thousands of viewers that I suddenly have?’” Though this new audience had found Alex through her funny lip-syncing, she used the opportunity to take her channel in a very different direction.

“They were all expecting silly lip-sync videos and I decided to give them science videos,” said Alex. She started a video series called “Bite Scized,” a collection of educational videos that uncover the science behind things we see in our daily lives. For example: how does a match light on fire? Or how did humans create a seedless watermelon with genetics? Her videos started to receive more and more views, but she did not dream of making any real money from YouTube. “I really didn’t know at that time that I could make a career out of doing this myself and out of producing these

TIKTOK: Alex uses TikTok to educate her viewers about a variety of scientific concepts, including the structure of DNA (top) and the COVID-19 vaccine (bottom).

Photos Courtesy of ALEX DAINIS

ON CAMERA: Alex has filmed videos for her YouTube channels in different science labs, explaining the equipment found in these labs and interviewing the scientists who work in them.

Design: Natalie Kahn/the Justice

videos myself, it was just a fun thing,” Alex said. Alex has moved on from her “Bite Sci-zed” video series, but she didn’t stop making educational science videos on YouTube, creating various series such as “Lab Next Door” and “What is this Thing?!” For her “Lab Next Door” videos, Alex visited different labs to talk to scientists from a variety of fields about their work, including a NASA astronaut – “They let me talk to an astronaut!” she exclaims at the start of the video. In her “What is this Thing?!” series, she introduces viewers to various equipment that can be found in science labs.

“[Science is] something that touches all of our lives every day,” said Alex, explaining how we see non-genetically modified produce on the shelf at grocery stores, hear about “CRISPR” gene editing on the news, and can easily purchase mail-in DNA ancestry tests on the internet. Science is all around us, whether we realize it or not.

“I think [science is] so cool but people can find it intimidating,” Alex explained. She feels that if the science community wants the public to understand scientific concepts and technologies that people encounter in their day-to-day lives, it has to get rid of the jargon and take the time to explain the science in a clear, accessible manner.

Alex’s approach appeals to many, including one of her mentors and favorite professors at Brandeis, Prof. James Morris (BIOL). He shows her “Bite Sci-zed” video on lactose intolerance to students in his “Evolution and Biodiversity” class as an example of how mutations in the human genome can actually be beneficial.

“I want to equip people with the vocabulary and the knowledge so that they can discuss [science] feeling empowered,” Alex said.

After finishing her doctorate at Stanford in 2019, Alex gave herself a one-year test run to see if she could make a living from her YouTube channel. She began traveling the world to make science videos. One of her projects brought her to Italy to film cliff diving and discuss its physics with scientists. She was constantly on the road for that first year working on new projects, but she didn’t mind the workload;

her passion for science kept her going.

During Alex’s one-year trial period as a science communicator, COVID-19 swept across the world. Genetic jargon like “PCR” and “mRNA” were suddenly trending on Twitter. Recognizing the need for accurate and easilyaccessible information for these biological concepts, she began making videos that explained pandemic-related science topics in a straightforward way. Some focus on viruses and how they function in the human body; in others, Alex uses science to explain how vaccines work and debunk common COVID-19 vaccine misconceptions. In the comment section of one of her videos on mRNA vaccine technology, a viewer said that he was skeptical of mRNA vaccines at first, but Alex was able to give them clarity on the subject. And he was not the only one who enjoyed her videos.

Many of her posts have received millions of views across platforms such as TikTok and YouTube.

Alex started her TikTok account in the summer of 2020, not expecting it to be nearly as successful as her YouTube channel. To her surprise, it quickly became her biggest platform. Her content has received over one million likes on the app and her account has amassed over 80,000 followers.

It has been over three years since Alex took her leap of faith into science communication. She is now working as a freelancer and has been hired by organizations such as PBS, the American Chemical Society, and Red Bull to produce science content, including a series called “UNTOLD: Science Stories From Earth and Beyond.”

Even after millions of views and likes across various platforms, it is sometimes hard for Alex to believe that she gets to spend each day doing exactly what she loves most.

“Sometimes I just stop and I look around and I’m like, ‘This is my real life.’ I get to talk with scientists all day and that’s my favorite thing to do.” The best part? She gets paid to do it full-time.

GETTING THE SHOT: Alex sets up the camera for a video.

ON THE ROAD: Alex went to Italy to film cliff diving and spoke to scientists about the physics of the daring activity for a 2019 video.

IN THE LAB: Alex works in a lab at Stanford University, where she completed her doctorate in genetics in 2019.

Established 1949

Sofia Gonzalez Rodriguez, Editor in Chief

Cameron Cushing, Managing Editor

Gilda Geist, Senior Editor

Jen Crystal and River Hayes, Deputy Editors

Leeza Barstein, Jane Flautt, Gabriel Frank, Megan Geller, Lynn Han

Hannah O’Koon, Noah Zeitlin, Associate Editors

Jacklyn Golobordsky, Hannah Taylor, News Editors

Natalie Kahn, Features Editor Lauryn Williams, Forum Editor

Taku Hagiwara, Sports Editor

Megan Liao, Acting Arts & Culture Editor

Jack Yuanwei Cheng, Photography Editor

Thea Rose, Acting Photography Editor

Ariella Weiss, Copy Editor

Isabel Roseth, Acting Copy Editor

Samantha Goldman, Online Editor

EDITORIALS

As COVID-19 cases rise, students and faculty need to take action

As most students are more than aware of at this point, we are currently experiencing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 cases within our student body. As of press time, Brandeis’ 7-day positivity rate is 2.34%, nearly two and a half times as high as the reported rate for Massachusetts higher education institutions and slightly higher than the overall state positivity rate. The recent spike in cases that has led to the tightening of precautionary guidelines by the administration has come as a disappointing surprise to many of us. We have spent the majority of the past semester-and-a-half enjoying a relatively normal college experience by pre-pandemic standards, thanks to decreased pandemicrelated restrictions and a relatively low risk of being exposed to COVID-19 on campus. For many of us, this has made it especially difficult to adjust to the level of caution that must be taken in the midst of the sharp uptick in the positive case rate that is happening now within our community and makes it all the more frustrating when being cautious leads to missing out on the fun and important parts of our everyday lives.

However, this should not mean that we disregard the importance of keeping ourselves and others safe. Protecting our community during a pandemic means prioritizing safety and using our best judgment to make choices that help reduce our risk of being exposed to or exposing others to COVID-19. Prioritizing safety is especially important for those who have experienced a potential exposure from a close contact or who are experiencing symptoms. Of course, we should all be following University guidelines and adhering to instructions provided by the Brandeis Community Tracing Program and the Health Center if placed in quarantine or isolation — this is the least we can do to slow the spread and respect our fellow community members. But the apparent delays and communication failures of the BCTP and Health Center in notifying students when they are identified as a close contact have made it clear that simply following instructions is not enough. This editorial board is aware of a number of concerning reports of students who have been listed as close contacts and who have not been contacted by the BCTP for up to two days, or not at all. Zoe Popovic ’23 was recently exposed to COVID-19 and informed by the positive student immediately after, at which point Popovic began quarantining in their room. This student included Popovic in the list of close contacts they provided to BCTP. Yet Popovic, despite emailing the BCTP the next day, did not receive any communication from the University telling them to quarantine, notifying them of their status as a close contact, or providing them any quarantine instructions for over 48 hours. While Popovic was fortunate to have been informed directly by the student who exposed them and made the wise decision to continue quarantining despite not being officially told to do so, it is worrisome to hear from them and other students about how long it is taking for the BCTP to contact people. Further, some students have not been contacted at all, despite being listed as close contacts.

These reports demonstrate just how vital it is for students to use our own best judgment and respect our communal responsibility to protect each other, rather than relying entirely on the University to provide us with instructions to minimize risk. Although making these choices may be challenging at times, it is necessary that we do everything we can to keep our community safe, slow the spread of COVID-19, and hopefully, be able

to get past this difficult period as soon as possible. Considering the number of students testing positive for COVID-19 and the delays the BCTP is experiencing in contact tracing students who meet the close-contact criteria, this board asks faculty to be mindful of the way they conduct their classes in the next couple of weeks. While students take it upon themselves to self-quarantine while waiting for a call from the BCTP, faculty should provide support in the form of remote class options, class recordings, and excused absences. Needless to say, this same support should be extended to students who are officially in quarantine or isolation, as well as students suffering from illnesses unrelated to COVID.

While it seems intuitive that professors would have a robust system for students who are unable to attend classes in person at this point in the pandemic, members of this board struggle to obtain appropriate support from faculty. Some professors do not provide a remote option to their in-person classes, leaving students in isolation or quarantine unable to participate in real-time. While this board understands that teaching a hybrid class can be demanding and technologically challenging, the University has made resources available to faculty to ease these difficulties. Having a remote, synchronous option to in-person classes can make all the difference in a student’s learning and overall wellbeing, especially considering that social interaction, even in a classroom setting, is crucial for students in quarantine and isolation.

In other cases, some members of this board have experienced professors refusing to record their classes, or if they do record them, they do not make the recordings accessible to all students.

This is not only detrimental to students in isolation or quarantine, but also to those who are unable to attend class because of other illnesses, and those who may want to revisit the lecture at a later time. Other professors will not accommodate students who do not have the proper documentation from the BCTP stating that they are in quarantine or isolation. While this was a reasonable request when cases were low on campus, it does not take into account the current delays the BCTP is experiencing. --Some community members have been contacted two days after they were listed as a close contact by the person who tested positive for COVID-19- and the delays deter students from self-quarantining to avoid absences, which places other students in the class at risk of infection.

This board would like to remind faculty members that, while the student body has been fortunate to have largely avoided severely symptomatic cases of COVID-19 so far, students in isolation might still experience discomfort and flu-like symptoms that interfere with their ability to complete assignments. Social isolation also results in detrimental mental health effects that might impact a student’s academic performance. This is particularly important to note considering that many students placed in quarantine go on to test positive and are required to isolate for even more time, as explained in a March 25 email to the Brandeis community from Carol Fierke, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Stew Uretsky, executive vice president for finance and administration, and Raymon Ou, vice president of student affairs. As we prepare for the final weeks of the semester, supporting students in quarantine/isolation — in whatever way they may need — will be of utmost importance.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Brandeis University is to be commended for disassociating itself from MESA, the Middle East Studies Association. MESA has voted to embrace Omar Barghoutis antisemitic genocidal BDS movement Barghouti, the founder of BDS, said as early as 2005 that the sole purpose of BDS is the euthanasia of Israel. A student of history, Barghouti knows full well that the Nazi T4 Euthanasia Program was the foundation of the Final Solution of the Jews as enacted in the Wannsee Protocols in January 1942. His use of the word euthanasia leaves no doubt he founded BDS to continue the antisemitic eliminationist mission formalized by Reinhard Heydrich and Adolf Eichmann at the Wannsee Conference. Further, MESA, by embracing a boycott of the Jewish population of Israel, has emulated Joseph Goebbels and his Brown Shirts’ boycott of the Jewish population of Germany. The Nazis had a word for the antisemitic world that every member of MESA now is committed to: gleichschaltung. Brandeis’ principled decision keeps it far away from the antisemitic muck that MESA is permanently covered with.

— Richard Sherman

Data Courtesy of BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY COVID-19 RESPONSE

Graphic by JACK YUANWEI CHENG/the Justice

Amidst war in Ukraine, demands for financial transparency have gone unheard

By JEN CRYSTAL JUSTICE EDITOR

The U.S. and its allies have imposed sanctions on the Russian economy, and many companies have scaled back their operations or withdrawn from business in the country — for a complete list, see the Yale CELI List of Companies that monitors corporate activities in Russia. However, the U.S. and Europe “have held back on their most powerful tool in their arsenal: a total embargo on oil and gas,” per the LA Times. This embargo would have the most devastating and impactful effect on the Russian economy, which could cause Russian President Vladimir Putin to question his military action in Ukraine. What does this have to do with financial transparency at Brandeis, though?

Over the past few years, students across the country have lobbied their universities for financial transparency and divestment from coal and oil. At private institutions like Brandeis that are not beholden to public information laws, it is that much more important for universities to commit to being financially transparent with the student body and the wider university community.

Brandeis’ failure to be financially transparent has large consequences in the context of the current conflict in Ukraine. Per the Yale CELI List of Companies, over 450 companies have withdrawn from Russia — either at a reduced capacity or operating in full — but many companies have failed to exit business in Russia. This economic activity funds Putin’s war.

Without a specific breakdown of how the University’s endowment is allocated, we have no way of knowing exactly where our financial contributions to the University are going, and, what’s more, we have no idea if any part of this money is aiding Russia’s economy.

In the case of financial ties with Russia, it is not enough to only consider direct aid — such as weapons manufacturing — because indirect support can also speak volumes. For example, the Russian military relies on trucks for the transportation of equipment to their military forces, per Forbes, so most automobile and truck manufacturers have halted production in Russia. More significant, though, is the Western participation in funding Russia’s oil and gas production, which makes up a staggering 40% of Russia’s federal budget revenue.

The U.S. and Canada have “banned Russian oil and gas imports,” but many countries are still reliant on Russian gas exports, the Forbes article continued.

Although Brandeis has committed to reducing its reliance on coal and gas and transitioning to more renewable sources of energy, its proposed campus-wide carbon mitigation plan has not fully gone into effect, and it is unclear from where the current fossil fuels are sourced.

Brandeis’ tax documents “reveal vague details surrounding allocations and longterm investments” in University spending, and these reports “offer a blurred picture of the University’s … ties with specific companies,” per a 2021 Justice article authored by the Brandeis Financial Transparency Coalition.

In an Oct. 6, 2021 letter to the community, University President Ron Liebowitz committed over the next four years to “developing a tool set to measure the Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions associated with its holdings.” Liebowitz continued that 2022 would be the Year on Climate Action and provided a link to a website that does not exist.

Now, more than ever, financial documents are so crucial to understanding how our tuition money is being used and whether it is being used in a way that aligns with the

University’s model of social justice. This issue goes beyond just that of transparency: there is a very real human cost associated with how Brandeis spends and invests its money. The University needs to make a bigger call to action than just that of unity in the face of conflict and crisis. Brandeis, if you really want to show your support for Ukraine, release your financial investment records.

Why I’m Running to be your Junior Representative to the Board of Trustees

By MESHULAM UNGAR JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Brandeis University is in a time of profound change. COVID-19 has fundamentally altered the college experience, and we are just beginning to understand its ramifications. Right now is the time to set a new direction for our University. I want to be my fellow students’ advocate during this time at the Board of Trustees, the most powerful decision-making body of our University. The Board makes the most important choices in the University: who becomes president, how and where money is spent, and the overall direction of the University.

I believe in translating the big ideals we believe in into practical change. My campaign is based on three principal issues that affect all Brandeis students. These issues require funding or policy changes that can only be made at the Trustee level; neither the administration nor the Student Union has the necessary power or resources to address these challenges. We need more investment in the Brandeis Counseling Center to support mental health, more effective COVID-19 management, and more communication between the Board of Trustees and students.

First, the BCC needs more financial support to properly provide needed mental health services to students. The pandemic has dramatically increased the need for mental health resources. As a University that cares about the physical and mental well-being of its students, the right thing for Brandeis to do is to ensure that the BCC can support students. Increased funding would help alleviate the backlog of requests for counseling and allow the BCC to hire more therapists. Additionally, it is important that the BCC’s therapists understand the diverse backgrounds from which Brandeis students come. One way we can do that is to hire more Mandarinspeaking therapists who can support the large Mandarinspeaking international student population. As someone with diagnosed special needs who has seen therapists for over 10 years, I know the stigma that mental health care can carry. I am here to support fellow students seeking help.

Second, I believe that it is crucial to advocate for our University to think more strategically about COVID-19. According to Dr. Nicholas Christakis, a leading voice on COVID-19 issues and professor at Yale University, the COVID-19 pandemic will continue hitting us in waves, with it finally withering away in 2024. That means COVID-19 will unfortunately still be with us for at least another two years. When the University makes decisions about COVID-19, it must ensure that our student experience is as safe as possible, while continuing the social, cultural, and religious vibrancy that defines this campus. I will plainly explain to the Trustees that students want clear and consistent COVID-19 policies, and that the Board and administration must take students’ view into consideration.

We must manage this pandemic effectively and empathetically, but not be consumed by it.

Third, I will expand and formalize stronger communication between students and the Board of Trustees. As the most important decision-making body in the University, it is essential that the Board of Trustees hear from as many student voices as possible. To that end, I will establish a Student Advisory Committee, consisting of student leaders from diverse backgrounds, who can meet with the Junior and/ or Senior Representatives of the Board at least twice a semester and meet with Trustees at least once a semester. I will also create a feedback form that will be open any time, anonymous, and delivered directly to me.

The Board of Trustees needs to hear a wide variety of student perspectives before making crucial decisions, and I will facilitate that communication.

Brandeis has so many things going for it, first and foremost our fellow students. Let’s work together to build a better Brandeis for all.

—Meshulam Ungar is currently running to be the Junior Representative to the Board of Trustees. He can be reached at mungar@brandeis.edu or on Instagram @ meshulam4brandeis.

Photo Courtesy of MESHULAM UNGAR

Photo Courtesy of Brandeis University Office of Sustainability

JUDGES BY THE NUMBERS

BASEBALL

Dan Frey M.S. leads the team with 18 runs batted in.

RBI Dan Frey 18

Khoury 18

Hall 13

King 9

Mason Newman M.S. leads all pitchers with 19.2 innings pitched.

SOFTBALL

Rothenberg M.S. has a team-high 12 runs

TRACK AND FIELD

TOP FINISHERS (MEN’S)TOP FINISHERS (WOMEN’S)

TENNIS

TOP PERFORMERS (MEN’S)

RECORD

UPCOMING MEETS: Men: April 2 at Tufts

Women: April 4 at NYU

TOP PERFORMERS (WOMEN’S)

WOMEN’S SINGLES RECORD Bhakti Parwani 7-5, 6-0

WOMEN’S DOUBLES RECORDSia /Subramanian 8-3

SWISS OPEN

Jonatan Christie wins in Basel

By MEGAN LIAO JUSTICE EDITOR

Following promptly after the All England Championship was the last tournament of the Badminton World Federation World Tour’s European leg, the Swiss Open. In the Yonex Swiss Open 2022, which began March 22 and ended March 27, there were multiple big names missing, particularly from Asia, including Kento Momota, Chou Tien Chen, Lee Zii Jia, and All England runner-up Lakshya Sen, most likely forfeiting one European tournament in preparation for the tournaments in Asia. Viktor Axelsen fans may also have been disappointed by Axelsen’s retirement in his game on day two due to fatigue. Although the Swiss Open is only a Super 300 tournament, granting significantly less prize money and less points to the cumulative ranking in comparison to the All England, for a lot of players, a win in these tournaments is crucial to qualifying for the BWF World Tour Finals at the end of the year. The World Ranking and World Tour Ranking differ, first of all, in that the former carries over points from the previous seasons while the latter only counts points earned in the ongoing season. Another important distinction that is often overlooked is that if a seeded player withdraws from the tournament in which they are seeded, or if they place lower than the previous year, they will be penalized with points deducted from the World Ranking. Therefore, the withdrawals of world number eight Sen, number five Low Kean Yew, number six Ng Ka Long, and defending champion

Axelsen will also result in deduction of their World Ranking points. At the quarterfinals, number three seeded player Anthony Sirisuka Ginting played a shaky first match, allowing his opponent Indian Sameer Verma to continuously find holes in his defense. In the second match, however, Ginting competed with keener judgment, finally demonstrating the sharp instinct that put him in the top 10 in the World Ranking. The game concluded with Ginting’s straight-set victory, 21-17, 21-14. World Ranking’s number three and second seeded player Anders Antonsen fell unexpectedly to Srikanth Kidambi, who before this victory had never won in their four encounters. Antonsen took a more aggressive approach at offense, winning him a game point opportunity, yet Kidambi’s cautious defense and Antonsen’s own miss moved the game into a deuce. Kidambi triumphed in two more rallies, advancing to the semifinals 21-19, 19-21, 22-20.

In the semifinals, H.S. Prannoy played a close game against Ginting 21-19, 19-21, and 21-18. In his 2021 season, Prannoy experienced defeats in early rounds in the All England Open and Swiss Open, dropping his eligibility as a seeded player in both tournaments and costing him most of his sponsorships. In All England 2022, he also fell to Thai Kunlavut Vitidsarn in two straight sets in the first round. The close matches played against an offense-dominant player like Ginting was a challenge for him to remain sharp at the receiving end. He persisted in long rallies, gradually tiring the Indonesian player. Fourth seeded Jonatan Christie of Indonesia defeated Kidambi 18-21, 21-7, and 21-13. The tight race in the first match overwhelmed Kidambi, and the consequent fatigue cost him six points in a row and lost him the second match. By the third match,

Kidambi was overwhelmed by Christie’s fast-paced playing, losing another six rallies in a row.

In straight sets, Christie trounced Prannoy 21-13 and 21-18. Although both players are of similar heights, Christie had the advantage of speed and vertical jumping, granting him flexibility at defense and more options to organize an attack. Christie chose to play long rallies with difficult net shots to tire Prannoy in the first set, winning seven consecutive rallies and two match point opportunities. Prannoy fought back hard in the second match. After taking four rallies in a row, the Indian shuttler evened the score 13-13, earning a passionate applause from the audience. Nonetheless, Christie picked up the game pace once more, and Prannoy fell back once more. Despite his loss, Prannoy will be seeded second for the next Swiss Open. Christie on his first Swiss title and his first title in three years.

One week from today, the BWF World Tour will move from its European to its Asian leg, beginning with the Korea Open Championships, a Super 500 tournament. Playing back-to-back intense matches at the German Open and the All England Open, a number of Asian players withdrew from the Swiss Open as mentioned previously, possibly for a break and to better prepare for the upcoming series of highpoints-earning tournaments in Asia. However, Chou Tien Chen and Loh Kean Yew tested positive for COVID-19 after the All England Open. While badminton fans in Korea have been eagerly waiting for the tournament to be rebooted after being disappointed by COVID19’s delays in the past two years, the Korea Open Championships 2022 may not end up with a full roster draw due to the absence of COVIDstricken shuttlers.

■ Christie won the BWF 2022 Swiss Open held in Basel, Switzerland.

Photo Courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

AT THE NET : Badminton player Anthony Sinisuka Ginting jumps at the shuttle in a tournament in 2018.

Sports just

Brandeis tennis team serves up a strong season

■ The Men's tennis team improves to 7-3 after facing the University of Rochester.

By MEGAN GELLER JUSTICE EDITOR

The Brandeis Men’s Tennis team are currently 4 – 1 at home for the season and 7 – 3 overall. According to the Brandeis Athletics website, the team, currently consisting of 10 players, recently won against the University of Rochester on April 19, after falling to Denison University the day before.

On Sunday, March 13, the Judges, then ranked ninth in the NCAA Division III, defeated Colby College, who were then ranked 19th. That day, the Judges lost one of their three doubles matches. Jeffery Chen ’22 and Adam Tzeng ’22 defeated their opponents in doubles 8 – 3, and Colin Fox ’25 and Dylan Walters ’24 also defeated their opponents in doubles 8 – 7. In singles, the Judges went four for six. As a result, the Judges improved to 6 – 2.

On Friday, March 18, the Judges fell to their Denison University opponents. The Judges started strong when Chen and Tzeng defeated their opponents in doubles 8 – 2, and Fox and Walters also defeated their opponents in doubles 8 – 2.

Finally, Colt Tegtmeier ’22 and Simon Kauppila ’23 defeated their opponents in doubles 8 – 6. Despite the Judges’ strong start, Denison came back from behind which resulted in a loss for the Judges. This match dropped the Judges to 6 – 3 and raised Denison to 7 – 1 overall this season.

On Saturday, March 19, the Judges defeated the University of Rochester 7 – 2. The team won all three doubles matches played by Chen and Tzeng, Hunter Levine ’23 and Walters, and Aryan Nijhawan ’25 and Tegtmeier, ending with 8 – 4, 8 – 4, and 8 – 1 respectively. In singles, the Judges went four for six. As a result, the Judges improved to 7 – 2, where they will remain until next Sunday.

This year, the team is led by head coach Pauri Pandian and assistant coach Christo Schultz. Pandian graduated from Wesleyan University in 2008 and returned to Brandeis after some time as head coach for the Wheaton College tennis team. Prior to Wheaton College, Pandian was the assistant coach to the Brandeis tennis team under then head coach Ben Lamanna from 2011 to 2015. Schultz graduated from Harvard University in 2015 and came to Brandeis after three years as the assistant coach for the Tufts University tennis team. The captains this year are seniors Tegtmeier and Chen.

The Judges are next scheduled to face Tufts University on Saturday, April 2, and the New York University Bobcats on Sunday, April 3.

CHRISTIE WINS SWISS OPEN

The Indonesian badminton player won the 2022 Swiss Open and claimed his first Swiss Open title, p. 11.

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Verstappen secures first at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

■ Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won an epic battle with Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc in Saudi Arabia.

By LIZ PAL JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

For the second race of the season, Formula One found themselves in Saudi Arabia. Before the race, it was reported by NPR that Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on an oil depot in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, six miles from the circuit. However, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile and race organizers assured participants that the event would not affect the race weekend.

A thrilling qualifying session on Saturday resulted in a career first pole position for Mexican driver Sergio Perez, racing for Red Bull. Charles Leclerc qualified second and teammate Carlos Sainz in third, both racing for Ferrari. The defending world champion Max Verstappen had experienced a difficult qualifying session and found himself in fourth position in his Red Bull. Mercedes continued to struggle with car issues which resulted in poor grid placement. Mick Schumacher, racing for Haas, was out of the race before it had even begun due to a terrible crash he sustained during qualifying. Yuki Tsunoda, the Alpha Tauri driver, suffered a similar fate due

to a missed qualifying session and drivetrain issues in the car.

Eighteen drivers lined up on the grid as lights went out on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Perez immediately led Leclerc off the line with his teammate Verstappen sneaking around Sainz into third immediately out of turn two. Kevin Magnussen was able to secure ninth off Pierre Gastly, which also allowed Lando Norris to sneak by.

Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso fought hard for sixth. Valterri Bottas, in the Alfa Romeo, was able to slip in between the two Alpines when Ocon’s engineers told him to back off Alonso.

Perez began to build a gap as the race leader as Verstappen stayed close to Charles Leclerc in second. During the 16th lap, Red Bull decided to pit the race leader Perez in order to get him a fresh set of tires. What they did not anticipate was Nicholas Latifi's massive crash in the final corner of the race track. The crash caused a safety car to be deployed which allowed teams to pit quickly while those who remained on track had to slow down drastically. Instead of being able to catch up on lost time in the pits, Perez was forced into fourth position with Leclerc coming out of the pits as the leader of the race. Perez initially had a bit of a squabble with Sainz for third as he exited the pits, but the team requested he return the position to the Ferrari driver.

The race progressed with exciting overtakes from Magnussen, Alonso, and Lewis Hamilton who was able to break into the points after starting in the 15th position on the grid. Everything changed on lap

38. Within seconds of each other Riccardo, Alonso, and Bottas were all crawling back to the pits, each experiencing different issues with their race cars. Within a couple of laps, Stroll and Albon were also pulling off the track due to a collision that they caused. The race had initially started with two drivers already missing, meaning only 18 had participated in the race, but was now left with only 13 active drivers.

As the virtual safety car was removed, the fight for first began between Leclerc and rival Verstappen. On lap 42, in the back straight of the track, Verstappen took the lead by using the Drag Reduction System. Leclerc responded immediately and was able to retain his lead. Verstappen attempted another pass at the Ferrari driver on lap 43 but both cars experienced simultaneous lock ups causing there to be no overtake. Red Bull kept its distance for another four laps trying to maintain a small gap with the Ferrari ahead. On lap 47, Verstappen made another pass at Leclerc and was able to pry first place away from him. Although Leclerc did not back down and set the fastest lap, he was still unable to catch the Dutchman. The defending World Champion crossed the finish line in first with the two Ferraris following close behind. At this race, Haas gained points for a second week in a row, a great improvement from previous years and McLaren were able to earn their first points of the season with Norris coming in seventh. The teams and their drivers will go head to head at the Australian Grand Prix on April 10.

Images: Smiley Huynh/the Justice. Design: Jack Yuanwei Cheng/the Justice.

BAASA’S ‘SKIN FASHION SHOW’

By MEGAN LIAO AND SMILEY HUYNH JUSTICE EDITOR AND STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Brandeis Asian American Student Association’s annual fashion show of was held in Levin Ballroom on March 26. All articles of clothing modeled by student volunteers were chosen from Asian American and Pacific Islanders businesses in order to support underrepresented ethnic groups and show appreciation for fashion trends in AAPI societies.

Design: Megan Liao/the Justice

Recapping the Academy Awards

By JASON FRANK JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

The Oscars were on Sunday, March 27. Or, more accurately, Sunday was the night that Will Smith smacked Chris Rock, something that happened to occur at the Oscars.

If you need a quality rundown of what happened, I’d recommend reading Michael Schulman’s piece in the New Yorker from inside the ceremony. If you know what happened, perhaps it’s worth talking about the rest of the ceremony.

International movie star Will Smith slapping comedian Chris Rock at a famously stuffy award ceremony because Chris Rock made a joke about Jada PinkettSmith’s alopecia is the kind of thing that tends to dominate the conversation.

But let’s talk about the rest of the show.

“CODA,” a movie that is good, nice, and completely without innovation won Best Picture. Your response to that will likely depend on whether or not you think that a movie that has extremely low ambition should win Best Picture. I find myself

HOROSCOPES

By MADDY DULONG JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

Aries

I hope the start of Aries season has been kind to you! This week’s upcoming new moon in Aries on Friday, April 1 has a lot in store for you. New moons are a perfect time for beginnings, whether it is a project for a class or a new relationship. With this new moon falling into Aries, you may feel extra motivated to do things you have been wanting to do for a while now. Perhaps it is some work you have been procrastinating or a summer internship application you haven’t gotten to yet, but whatever it is you need to do, this is the time to start! Don’t worry about doing everything perfectly, or even about finishing something right away. Starting is the hardest part and this new moon will give you the energy to overcome that.

Taurus

With the year’s only new moon in Aries falling into your twelfth house — the house of intuition — this Friday April 1, your intuition may be much stronger than usual. Use this new moon energy to look for things you may not normally notice — small details that may indicate something is changing or different. However, don’t let the passionate Aries energy lead you to immediate conclusions this week. If things are changing in some aspect of your life, or perhaps you want things to change, let it happen naturally. You don’t want to act on impulse and make a decision you may regret later.

Gemini Teamwork makes the dream work this week for you, Gemini!

With the only new moon in Aries of 2022 falling into your eleventh house — the house of collaborations and friendships — your friend group may be the center of your attention this week.

excited that CODA, a movie with a largely deaf leading cast, has broken through, but I think “Best Picture” is a bit far. It is telling that “CODA” is the first movie since 1932’s “Grand Hotel” to win Best Picture with fewer than four nominations. It is a movie that is more than the sum of its parts, but perhaps the parts should matter a bit more if you’re the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

As of now, it seems like next year’s Best Picture will go to the gif of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, if the amount of attention is anything to go by.

Sorry, not focusing on that. Instead, I’ll focus on Jessica Chastain’s win for Best Actress. She won for “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” a performance that rests on makeup in a movie that rests on melodrama. It was a showy and transformative role, but not one of quality.

Now, I suppose it would be only fitting to look at Best Actor, but — oh God — it’s Will Smith again. Perhaps I can talk about his role in the film and his speech? Well, no. Smith’s speech was largely about how his character in “King

Richard,” Richard Williams, would do anything to protect his family. Which is what Smith did. Moving along.

Two of the best moments of the night occurred during the supporting acting categories, both of which made history: Ariana DeBose won Best Supporting Actress for her role in “West Side Story,” making her the first out queer person to win an acting Oscar, and Troy Kutsor won Best Supporting Actor for “CODA,” making him the first deaf man to win. Both performances were wonderful, and their historymaking contexts were only bonuses, but what bonuses they were. As far as down-the-ballot awards were concerned, there was controversy. The Academy had already announced that eight categories — Production Design, Documentary Short, Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Animated Short, Live Action Short, and Sound — would be pre-taped, and only an edited version of their speeches would air. This was, and is, incredibly insulting to the film professionals in those categories, as

their work is necessary for any film’s success. Going into the ceremony, many reported anger and sadness at the choice, which was made with the hopes that the show would be shorter and gain viewership — the show was ultimately longer than last year’s. It was difficult, going in, to know that this year’s Oscars would be marred by that controversy. Spoiler: that was not the controversy that marred the Oscars.

Perhaps it is worth talking about the slap. I can’t seem to get around it, no matter how diligently I attempt to — it’s a difficult task. If I have a take on the slap, it’s this: to act like this was, in any way, the most heinous thing to happen at an Oscars ceremony. It was ahistorical, uninformed, and likely racist.

Judd Apatow and Mia Farrow have both come out with statements against Smith. Perhaps they should be checked for memory loss, lest they forget that this century already saw Roman Polanski, a man who fled the United States to avoid conviction for raping a child, get a standing ovation after winning Best Director, an award he could

Weekly horoscopes

If you are involved with a group project or work with a group regularly, you may notice a boost in collaboration and overall group morale. Maybe use this extrafriendly energy to add some new faces to your friend group. This is the perfect time to reach out to that mutual on Instagram that you’ve never actually messaged, or make plans with a friend you haven’t seen in a long time.

Cancer

Ambitions are high for you this week, Cancer! With the upcoming new moon in Aries this Friday landing in your tenth house — ambition and career — this is the opportunity to set some lofty goals in motion that will come to fruition by the full moon in Aries in October. Perhaps set a plan for where you want to be, or milestones you would like to reach by October when the corresponding Aries full moon occurs. This is the time to apply to any programs you are looking at, speak to your manager about new opportunities, or begin learning a new skill or hobby.

Leo

Feeling adventurous this week, Leo? With this Friday’s new moon in Aries landing in your ninth house — the house of adventure and independence — you may feel caged in or stuck where you are right now. This is your opportunity to look at what you want to change about your life, because the fiery Aries energy will give you the motivation to make those changes! Don’t feel like you need to rush and make changes immediately. Merely admitting you want to change something can be the beginning of a significant change in your life. This is just the beginning. This new moon’s corresponding Aries full moon occurs in October, and it may just take until that peak to see some significant changes.

Virgo

How has Aries season been treating you, Virgo? This upcoming new moon in Aries lands in your eighth house — intimacy — this Friday, so keep an eye on your emotions and close relationships this week. Use this boost in intimacy to reflect on your current close relationships. Remember, intimacy isn’t necessarily romantic, so while this definitely applies to couples, it can also apply to roommates, best friends, or any other incredibly close pairing. Think about what you each are getting out of each relationship, and if you need more/less of something. This especially applies to anything involving money, as the eighth house also rules shared finances. If you’re unhappy with how you and your partner are dividing expenses, now is the time to tackle that.

not be present to accept because he, again, fled the country after raping a child. This century has also seen Harvey Weinstein win multiple Oscars while sexually and physically abusing people on his film sets. It’s further seen Mel Gibson be nominated for Best Director in 2016, years after his anti-Semitic tirades, which accused Jews of being responsible for all the world’s wars, as well as anti-Black hate speech and a domestic violence-related restraining order.

I do not support violence. But I also don’t support the idea that Smith could have his Oscar taken away from him. Polanksi has his. Weinstein has his. Gibson has his. They all committed much worse crimes than a slap. It’s very common, historically speaking, for white people to blow violence committed by a Black man out of proportion. To act like the response to Smith’s slap is immune from that is to be blind to how systemic racism operates. So before we do that, perhaps we can focus on the rest of the evening instead.

Why not try: weren’t Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli wonderful?

Libra

This week is bringing a lot to your relationships, Libra! The new moon on Friday lands in Aries in your seventh house, which rules relationships. The new moon brings new beginnings, and coupled with the motivation brought by Aries, you could be seeing new romantic relationships in your life this week. Confident Aries will give you the decisiveness you need to choose the right person for you — don’t

let yourself get confused by other people’s opinions. Look for people who you have a good romantic connection with, and maybe use the extra boost in energy to go on a fun, adventurous date this weekend!

Scorpio

Are you taking care of yourself this week, Scorpio? Friday’s new moon in Aries falls into your sixth house, ruled by wellness and organization, so you may feel motivated to be extra kind to yourself this week. Take advantage of this! The new moon brings new beginnings, so if you’re looking to start a new skincare routine or start going to the gym more regularly, this is the perfect time to begin!

Spring cleaning can come late for you as well, so get rid of things that aren’t serving you. This can involve clearing your room of negative energy, ending relationships that aren’t healthy, or breaking unhealthy habits you’ve been engaging in.

Sagittarius

You are the main character this week, Sagittarius! With the Aries new moon this Friday falling into your fifth house of romance and self-expression, you could feel a boost in creativity or a new relationship this weekend. Aries motivates new beginnings brought on by the new moon energy, so if there was ever a good time to get started on a project, essay or other piece of work, now would be it. Since the fifth house also rules romance and creativity, this is the perfect time to put yourself out there. Refresh your dating apps this weekend — there is romance in the air with this new moon! Put on your favorite outfit, express yourself, and have fun.

Capricorn

Home life is in the spotlight for you this week, Capricorn! With the new moon in Aries this Friday landing in your fourth house

— the house of domesticity — you may be motivated to start projects around your living space. If you were planning on cleaning your dorm, this may give you the motivation you need to get started. If the housing lottery last week didn’t go in your favor, this may be the time to look at opportunities off-campus. Don’t get stuck being a homebody this weekend, though. Bring the party to your house this weekend instead of going out!

Aquarius

Communication is through the roof for you this week, Aquarius!

With 2022’s only new moon in Aries happening this Friday, and landing in your third house — communication — you may feel extra motivated to be social this weekend. This new moon starts a cycle that will end in October with the next Aries full moon, so take the next six months to push your social boundaries, and perhaps look for new people to add to your social group. Look for those who share your interests, although you shouldn’t find any difficulty making friends, as you are a magnet for new opportunities and friendships.

Pisces

Finances are in the spotlight for you this week, Pisces! The new moon in Aries this Friday lands in your second house, which is ruled by finances, daily routines, and values. The new moon brings new beginnings, and paired with the passionate, motivating Aries, you can see some exciting new financial opportunities this week. This new moon starts a cycle that ends in October with the full moon in Aries, so these opportunities won’t be “get rich quick” schemes. Rather, they will require time and hard work. But come October, the fruits of your labor will show you just how much hard work pays off.

Design: Megan Liao/the Justice

Photo Courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS APRIL: The beginning of the new month brings new energy.

STAFF’S Top Ten

JACK YUANWEI CHENG/the Justice

Top 10 Brandeis moments

By LYNN HAN JUSTICE ASSOCIATE EDITOR

An attempt to justify why I haven’t transferred/dropped out:

10. Befriending Scrat the squirrel in the garbages behind Rosenthal Quad and seeing it eat a whole slice of pizza

9. Visiting the Archives and Special Collections and flipping through the Geneva Bible, circa 1560

8. Watching a swan family grow behind the Charles River apartments

7. Getting a free nova lox at Einstein’s because they accidentally messed up my order

6. Receiving a letter and Jamaican marmalade from Prof. Smith (ENG)

5. Sledding with Prof. Singh (WGS) and getting coffee afterwards

4. Seeing the Boston Symphony Orchestra with the Humanities Fellows

3. Having my Senior Honors essay selected to be on the English department website

2. Joining the Justice (and “retiring”)

1. Graduating i.e. leaving! (pending)

SUDOKU