On Jan. 14, 2005, Igor Pedan ’05, M.A. ’06, Daniel Silverman ‘05 and Leslie Pazan ‘05 founded The Brandeis Hoot. As the second newspaper founded on the Brandeis campus, the goal of The Hoot is to be “a publication that provides deep, insightful, meaningful news coverage and commentary about interests of direct concern to Brandeis students, staff, faculty and alumni,” according to a Hoot article published in the first issue. Fifteen years and 23 Editors-in-Chief later, we are incredibly grateful to say that The Hoot is not only still being printed and distributed on campus, but also has rapidly expanded in size and improved in coverage. 

We stand firm in our belief that The Hoot is a necessary and valuable addition to Brandeis and its students. This could not have been done without your—the Brandeis community’s—continued support. Seeing students carry copies of the paper on their way to class or read it in the dining halls and common spaces is proof that student voices are being read, heard and represented. 

In particular, after the Senate proposal to de-charter The Hoot in April 2019, we owe our paper’s literal existence to the 700 students and alumni and 60 campus organizations who signed our open petition and believe that The Hoot is an important asset to the campus community. We are humbled by your support, and will continue to serve this campus by providing relevant, timely news in addition to highlighting interesting features, important artistic and athletic events and community opinions.

On behalf of The Brandeis Hoot editorial board, staff and alumni, thank you again for your support throughout the years. Happy fifteenth anniversary! Here’s to the next fifteen years of being the Brandeis community newspaper written about, for and by the Brandeis community.

Sincerely,

Candace Ng and Polina Potochevska

Editors-in-Chief