Brandeis prof. and undergraduates discover secrets of the universe
Professor David Roberts (PHYS) and two undergraduate students found that pairs of supermassive black holes at the centers of X-shaped galaxies are significantly rarer than previously estimated—a discovery that has large implications for further research of the universe. The concept for the project was introduced to Roberts by colleagues and collaborators Lakshmi Saripalli and Ravi […]
UWS necessary, but imperfect
As the time to choose classes approaches, the topic of the dreaded, first-year required, UWS is becoming at least semi-relevant again. Despite—or perhaps because of—the complaining, annoyance and general disdain expressed by most about the program, I have decided to offer a slightly different perspective. If only for the sake of playing devil’s advocate, I […]
Boris’ Kitchen annual Old Shit Show remembers 25 years of sketches
Some of you may recall a massive line of students waiting along the staircase of the SCC this past Friday night, Oct. 16—or you were standing in it. That line was the eager audience waiting to get into Boris’ Kitchen’s free annual Old Shit Show, featuring 14 sketches that had all been previously written and […]
‘The Martian’ fails to compel despite visual beauty
Ridley Scott’s “The Martian” is undoubtedly his best film in years, a return to form to the simple and stylish science fiction that made him famous in the seventies and eighties. Though most of the film takes place on computer-generated landscapes, they are beautiful in their composition. Drew Goddard’s screenplay brings a lot of great […]
Faculty Forward Rally
Adjunct faculty turn union campaign outward
Brandeis students, staff and faculty spoke in support of creating a union for non-tenure track professors on Tuesday, Oct. 13. In the ever-busy wake-and-shake area between Usdan and the library where students pass on their way to classes or lunch, union supporters discussed why they believe adjunct faculty members need collective bargaining rights and a […]
‘You’re the Worst’ returns with impressive start to second season
One of my favorite new shows from last year, “You’re the Worst,” returned to the airwaves last month. Needless to say I was very excited to see where showrunner Stephen Falk, former executive producer on both “Orange is the New Black” and “Weeds,” took it. Focusing on a couple in their late-twenties living in Los […]
Support adjunct faculty unionization
The Brandeis Hoot supports Brandeis Faculty Forward and the right to unionization of Brandeis adjunct, contract and otherwise non-tenure track faculty. As shown at Wednesday’s Speak-Out event hosted by the Brandeis Labor Coalition, our non-tenure track faculty care deeply about Brandeis and their students, but sometimes struggle to make ends meet. The event was also […]
In the Senate: Oct. 11
But first, should I take a selfie?
Do you remember a time before Instagram and Snapchat? Surprisingly, it was only four years ago that Instagram and Snapchat were introduced to the public. In those four years, both social media platforms have blossomed into beautiful sharing spaces for imaginative photos and artwork. Please excuse my thinly-veiled sarcasm. I use both Instagram and Snapchat. […]
“The Intern” fails to meet expectations
The two leading stars of the film “The Intern,” Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway, have both benefited greatly from the genre of comedy at some point throughout their careers. De Niro entered the world of comedy back in 1999 with “Analyze This,” which instantly became a critical and commercial success, and earned him a […]
PCC screens “Perks” for Mental Illness Awareness Week
The Psychological Counseling Center, in partnership with Brandeis Students for Disability Activism and Active Minds Brandeis, held a screening of the critically acclaimed film, “Perks of Being a Wallflower,” Friday, Oct. 9. The screening was held in honor of the last day Mental Illness Awareness Week. The coalition of organizations advertised the movie night as […]
SEA coffeehouse taps creativity to promote sustainability
Students for Environmental Action (SEA) highlighted environmental issues, especially water pollution, during their first coffeehouse of the semester, on Wednesday, Oct.14 Various groups performed, including the Charles River Ramblers, TBA, Voices of Soul, False Advertising, Isaac & Mack, Bad Grammer and Company B. The Charles River Ramblers started the night off at Chum’s with a […]
Brandeis Men’s Soccer reaches eleventh win of the season
Brandeis Men’s Soccer overwhelmed Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the home game on Tuesday, Oct. 13, in a 1-0 victory. It was the Judges’ 11th win in total for the season, advancing their record to 11-1-1. The Massachusetts Maritime Buccaneers entered the game with a 4-6 record. The game was the Judges’ 10th match decided by […]
Ally activism explored at WSRC
At Ally Activism: Process, Tensions and Possibilities, a panel at the Women’s Studies Research Center (WSRC) on Tuesday, Oct. 13, panelists discussed the underlying issues regarding allyship and its usefulness within a social justice movement. The panel featured Brandeis students, members of the WSRC and other professors. Phoebe Schnitzer of the Brandeis WSRC acted as […]
Special Collections lifts the curtain to reveal rare gems
The Brandeis Archives and Special Collections department recently acquired materials belonging to dime novel author Ernest A. Young, donated by Victor Berch, Brandeis’ first Special Collections librarian, and Elliot P. King. Berch and King did extensive research to locate the large conglomeration of works, a hunt featured in a 1988 volume of “The Dime Novel […]
Incoming English prof. shares poetry
This spring, the Brandeis community will welcome Kirun Kapur to teach Directed Writing: Poetry Workshop in the English Department. As an opportunity for Kapur and Brandeis students to become acquainted, she gave a poetry reading on Wednesday, Oct. 8. In Pearlman Lounge, Kapur shared some of her work from her first novel, the critically acclaimed […]
Mowgli’s concert brings a ray of sunshine to Brandeis
This past Saturday, the spirit of southern California was brought to Brandeis University, in spite of the gloomy weather outside. Los Angeles natives The Mowgli’s took center stage in Levin Ballroom to an excited audience. The seven-piece alternative rock band is composed of keyboardist Dave Appelbaum, drummer Andy Warren, bassist Matthew Di Panni, guitarists Spencer […]
Selma ‘65 contemplates the darker side of American history
Sometimes the most poignant stories are the real ones, the accounts of events that actually transpired. The most powerful mode of expression is not through the endless search of the imagination for the most outlandish, mind-bending fantasy, but through the retelling of historic figure’s stories—from the infamous to the least well known. The same can […]
Spotlight on V.P. for Campus Operations Jim Gray
Vice President for Campus Operations Jim Gray has a pretty broad job description. Falling under his purview is overseeing grounds, public safety and police, environmental health and safety, sustainability, university services, dining services, conferencing and events services and facilities services, including construction. When asked how he would describe what he does, Gray responded that it […]
