On Wednesday, Feb. 12, Interim President Arthur Levine held a Staff Town Hall meeting to address concerns about the sweeping changes he recently proposed for Brandeis. At the start of the semester, Levine introduced a series of ambitious reforms aimed at reshaping the university, while also committing to incorporating feedback from the community into the process. According to Levine, he has engaged in “hundreds” of conversations with students, actively listening to their concerns and striving to centralize their voices in decision-making.
“I owe so much to Brandeis. My closest friends as an adult are the people I met here,” Levine remarked during the meeting. “They introduced me to my wife. So I got a family because of them.” Levine, who graduated from Brandeis in 1970, emphasized his role in transitioning Brandeis into a new era. “The truth of the matter is … if I’m the worst president in Brandeis’ history, I’m leaving at the end of my interim seat. If I’m the best president in Brandeis history, I’m leaving at the end of my interim seat.” Levine remarked. He emphasized how temporary his role at the university would be, which would center fundraising efforts, led by Jordan Tannenbaum responsible for the 1 billion-dollar U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (achp.gov). “I really love being retired. I got to do my research.”
Despite the anticipated discussion, Levine provided little additional information regarding the specifics of the reforms, which he emphasized are in their ideation stages. The questions posed by attendees seemed to be aimed more at easing uncertainty rather than extracting new concrete details. Throughout the town hall, topics ranged from administrative changes to academic policies and research initiatives, reflecting the widespread concern among staff and students. However, one thing became increasingly clear: Levine alone would not be the singular force driving these changes. Instead, he emphasized the role of the broader university community in shaping the future of Brandeis.
“I can’t do any of these things without you,” Levine stated, reinforcing his belief in collective effort. At the same time, he acknowledged the difficult reality that some members of the community might feel compelled to leave due to these changes. “I’m going to see if I can give you a few more reasons to stay here in the course of my tenure,” he added, hinting at forthcoming efforts to strengthen Brandeis’ appeal and commitment to its community.
Towards the end of the discussion, a pressing question arose from the audience: How will Brandeis protect its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives from attacks by the federal government? This concern comes as many students, particularly from marginalized communities, fear the potential policy shifts under the incoming presidential administration. With challenges to higher education and diversity programs becoming more pronounced, students are left wondering how their university will navigate this uncertain landscape.
Levine’s response was both direct and reflective of Brandeis’ longstanding commitment to inclusivity. “We were put here for DEI before it was DEI,” he stated, reaffirming the university’s historical foundation in social justice and its dedication to diversity.
For many students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, the uncertainty surrounding national policy changes is unsettling. “We’re scared to imagine tomorrow,” one sophomore student admitted. The fear of losing support systems, scholarship programs and institutional protections is palpable within the student body. In response to these anxieties, Levine issued a resolute assurance: “I will do everything that I can do to protect those values. And protect the people who are here as a consequence of those values.”
As Brandeis faces a critical moment of transition, both in leadership and in policy direction, the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion will undoubtedly be tested. Levine’s words reflect an awareness of this reality, but it remains to be seen how his leadership and the collective efforts of the Brandeis community will shape the institution’s future in an increasingly challenging political climate.
The full transcript of the town hall can be found here.
