On Aug 14th, Brandeis President Ron Liebowitz sent out an email to the Brandeis community, welcoming them to the start of the 2024-2025 school year. In the email, Liebowitz listed out several updates on activities that had occurred over the previous summer and also some important updates regarding the future of the school year.
“I write with a warm welcome to all of you as you return to campus”, Liebowitz said. “It’s great to see more Brandeisians arrive each day. There is a natural energy that comes with the arrival of a new class and new faculty and staff, helping us usher in the start of the new academic year.”
Liebowitz then listed several campus activities that had happened over the summer. Firstly, “Various campus divisions hosted six employee appreciation events with food, music, and prizes.” Liebowitz thanked the employees “who helped make these events so special and welcoming to the hundreds of people who attended each one.”
Liebowitz also “visited staff in several departments to hear about their ideas for Brandeis and to answer questions about the university and our future.” In addition, Liebowitz wrote that “The Provost and I also met with the Faculty Senate Council to talk about our goals and our vision for Brandeis. I continued small group faculty meetings as well.” Liebowitz congratulated the various staff members for their accomplishments. “I am impressed by the dedication of the people who make Brandeis run and grateful for what they accomplish on a daily basis.”
Liebowitz also attended several events that “continued to raise the profile of Brandeis worldwide”. He noted that, “As we come to the conclusion of celebrating our 75th year, we took Brandeis “on the road” to visit alumni and friends in Toronto—the 15th off-campus anniversary celebration event of the year.” In addition, Liebowitz also spoke at “the annual Herzliya Conference in Israel, and the American Jewish Committee’s Global Forum in Washington, D.C.”
In addition, Liebowitz noted the success of Brandeis fundraising efforts, which exceeded fundraising goals by 16% in what was “the second-best single year of fundraising since 2009”. These funds allowed four new faculty positions to be created, out of a total of 11 over the past three years.
Liebowitz moved on to highlighting academic events that happened over the summer. Firstly, Scifest XIII, a poster fair showcasing undergraduate research, took place on Aug 8th in the Shapiro Science Center. Liebowitz noted that, “With more than 100 posters and several hundred attendees, the event highlighted, once again, the exceptional opportunities available to our talented undergraduate students—research opportunities typically reserved for graduate students at most other universities.” In addition, 37 students received World of Work funded fellowships, “allowing them to participate in internships that would otherwise be unpaid at organizations focusing on climate change, public health, and civic engagement.” And also, “Professor Sara Shostak worked with three members of the Class of ’24 on a manuscript for publication based on research performed by her capstone class on Waltham Field Community Farm’s Produce Prescription Program, VegRx.”
Over the summer, the Brandeis administration “began discussions about an enriched residential life system that focuses on students’ first two years at Brandeis.” Liebowitz added, “We look forward to campus discussions on this initiative.” Brandeis also launched the “Summer Institute on Countering Antisemitism in Higher Education”, in which “an array of U.S. higher education leaders working in academic affairs, DEI, legal affairs, student life, and other key campus roles” were invited to Brandeis.
Lastly, the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Charles Golden, led a research project in Chiapas, Mexico. This took place in June and July and involved both undergraduate and graduate Brandeis students. According to Liebowitz, Professor Golden researches “how, before the 16th century, the pre-Hispanic communities transformed their landscape to meet the challenges of political conflict and climate change.”
Looking ahead to the start of the school year, Liebowitz noted the impact of the upcoming presidential election as well as current world events. “There will be updates on policies, activities, and opportunities for learning and conversation related to the presidential elections, the wars in Israel and Gaza, Russia and Ukraine, and other events”, he noted. Liebowitz continued, “It is my hope that as the year unfolds, we will engage with one another with respect and compassion, and avail ourselves of the exceptional expertise and resources on our campus and within the broader Brandeis community.”
Liebowitz also promised more opportunities for student feedback. “Students should expect invitations to senior staff office hours this fall, where members of university leadership will make themselves available for casual conversations with students to get to know them and learn about their priorities and concerns. And to hear their ideas on how we can do better at Brandeis.” Additionally, Liebowitz promised that “We will also be making opportunities available for the community to engage in a planning effort to implement key recommendations from the Framework for the Future”, and “Students, faculty, and staff should all expect to see invitations to sessions this academic year.”
Next, Liebowitz gave a preview on some upcoming infrastructure projects. As detailed in previous administration emails, Brandeis will be “working on plans for a new 650-bed residence hall this academic year. ” Liebowitz offered an expected start date of next summer for the construction. In addition, Liebowitz noted that Brandeis “will continue to make improvements to our current facilities.” Some examples of this include the Shapiro Campus Center renovations, “including moving the game room from Usdan to the second floor of the SCC and outfitting it with new equipment.” Additionally, students can look forward to “new televisions in common areas, a refinished dance studio in the Village, and new fitness equipment in Rosenthal.”
Lastly, Liebowitz promised “many new programs through which to socialize, volunteer, and of course, learn from our world-class faculty”, as well as “a robust review of the Brandeis CORE in the School of Arts and Sciences.”
