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T h e I n d e p e n d e n t S t u d e n t N e w s p a p e r o f B r a n d e is U n i v e r sit y S i n c e 1 9 4 9 Volume LXXVII, Number 16
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
THEOLOGY
MENTAL HEALTH-CENTERED LAW ENFORCEMENT
Brandeis celebrates diverse spiritual, religious holidays ■ From the time of Brandeis
University's founding, spiritual life has been supported on Brandeis' campus and continues to support the Brandeis community. By ELIZA BIER
JUSTICE MANAGING EDITOR
Since its founding in 1948, spiritual life has always been an important part of Brandeis University. The Center for Spiritual Life evolved from Brandeis’ core values and mission, to foster an inclusive environment for diverse beliefs. This past week, parts of campus were filled with excitement and celebration as students came together to observe meaningful cultural and religious traditions. Most recently, Spiritual Life has supported student groups in celebrating Purim and Holi. Purim, a Jewish holiday, celebrates the triumph of the Jewish people against their Persian rulers as described in the Book of Esther. The holiday is often celebrated by dressing up in costumes, listening to the story of Purim, eating Hamantaschen — cookies shaped like the antagonist Prime Minister Haman’s hat — and giving to charity. Additionally, this past weekend was filled with vibrant colors as Brandeis Namaskar and the Center for Spiritual Life collaborated and celebrated Holi with the Brandeis community. Holi is a “major Hindu festival celebrating the onset of spring, along with the good harvest and the fertility of the land” and “commemorating the intimate loving relationship between the Divine
Waltham, Mass.
Couple, Radha and Krishna.” It is most commonly associated with “throwing brightly colored powder and water” at others “to celebrate the beginning of spring.” Brandeis is home to many places of worship, including the three chapels located adjacent to Massel Quadrangle and Chapels Field. Building places of worship on campus “was part of first president Abram L. Sachar’s original vision…for the university,” with the chapels being some of the first places conceived in the early 1950s. The chapels were first commissioned in 1952 to the New York firm of Harrison and Abramovitz. The firm was also commissioned to design several other campus buildings. Through much planning and debating, a consensus was made to build three chapels — “one for Jews, one for Catholics, and one for Protestants.” The chapels were first dedicated in 1955, then again in 1965 and in 2010 following their renovation. In 1956 the chapels were awarded the American Institute of Architects Award of Merit. At the time of its opening, Brandeis was “heralded” as a school “representative of a multi-faith America” and “unity in the midst of diversity.” As such, the three chapels were all built to be the same size and built in specific locations “so as never to cast shadows on one another” representing the mutual respect of others and upholding Brandeis founding values of inclusion, truth and justice. Additionally, the chapels are situated around a heartshaped reservoir which is the center of a long-established Brandeis student valentine tradition, in which Brandeis
Waltham Police Department's progressive mental health practices in law enforcement ■ Involving Jail Diversion Clinicians in
de-escalation is breaking boundaries in the law enforcement space.
See SPIRITUALITY, 5 ☛ By ANNA MARTIN
JUSTICE EDITOR IN CHIEF
BRIEF Faculty vote to reorganize university, new town halls announced On March 17, Interim President Arthur Levine ’70 sent an email to the Brandeis community to announce that the faculty has voted to implement reorganization plans for the University. The plans were presented to the student body at Levine’s Feb. 25 town hall and were debated by the faculty during their Mar. 7 meeting. The email stated the goal of these reforms are to “[create] new exciting and innovative academic programs for the rapidly changing environment of the global, digital, knowledgeable economy we live in.” Levine stated that faculty and staff will “iron out” the reorganization plan over the next weeks, and will change their handbook accordingly. The plan still awaits final approval by the Board of Trustees in late April, and Levine plans on implementing the redesign once its approval has gone though. The reorganization plan has many different focuses, and will involve the creation of four new academic deans
who report to the provost. Levine stated that this specific change will be implemented by July 1, 2025. Additionally, Levine stated that he plans on continuing to accept feedback about the reorganization plan. As such, he has arranged three town halls with himself and Joel Christensen, Senior Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs. The town hall for undergraduate students will take place on Mar. 31 from 12 to 1 p.m. in Rapaporte Treasure Hall. For faculty, it will be on Apr. 2 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the same location and for graduate students, the meeting will be on Apr. 10 from 3 to 4 p.m. in Schwartz 112. To conclude his message, Levine added that the administration will continue to be in conversation with the Brandeis University Staff Advisory Committee, the Graduate Student Association and the Faculty Senate as they move ahead with their plans. — Zoe Zachary
The Waltham Police Department is at the forefront of innovative mental health-centered law enforcement practices, setting a precedent for community policing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With the integration of certified mental health specialists — officially titled Jail Diversion Clinicians — into its ranks, the department has taken significant strides in the implementation of de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques. Serving a population of over 64,000 residents, Waltham's officers are called upon to handle a diverse range of situations. In a March 14 interview with The Justice, Chief of Police Kevin O’Connell revealed that nearly half of all calls received by the department involve mental health components, underscoring the necessity of specialized intervention strategies. The department’s focus on mental health intervention began in 2004 when it secured grant funding for a part-time mental health clinician. The introduction of the Clinical Incident Management System, which meticulously tracks calls and their associated needs, provided empirical evidence of the program’s efficacy. Over time, officers consistently logged incidents that highlighted the critical role of mental health professionals in law enforcement responses. Recognizing the program’s tangible benefits, the department approached the Waltham City Council to advocate for additional funding to expand its mental health services. With support from Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy, the city approved funding for a full-time Jail Diver-
Waltham History How Waltham's population was built by mill workers. By BRIANNA EARLE
FEATURES 7 For tips or info email editor@thejustice.org
REUBEN GARTENBACH/The Justice
sion Clinician while retaining the originally grant-funded clinician. As the initiative demonstrated continued success, the program further expanded to include three full-time clinicians, ensuring broader coverage and enhanced community support. The presence of Jail Diversion Clinicians has transformed the way the Waltham Police Department handles crisis situations. According to a March 5 report by NBC 10 Boston, these professionals proactively address the root causes of mental health crises and work collaboratively to find sustainable solutions. Chief O’Connell emphasized the indispensable role these clinicians play, noting, “They make our jobs easier.” Jail Diversion Clinician for Waltham PD Emily Marini shared with NBC10, “I think we’re in a major mental health crisis. There is a lack of resources and a lack of support.” This program offers more than just on-scene crisis intervention. It also contributes to a broader culture of de-escalation. O’Connell explained that simply having a civilian approach a residence alongside an officer can immediately alter the dynamics of an interaction. The presence of a mental health professional often facilitates a calmer environment, which in turn increases the likelihood of a positive resolution. Clinician Emily Marini elaborated to NBC10 regarding the breadth of situations they encounter, stating, “It could be a bad day, it could be someone who is having a panic attack because of something stressful that happened, it could be someone that’s using substances.” Each case presents unique challenges, requiring tailored approaches to crisis management and support. The Jail Diversion Clinicians currently operate during daytime and evening shifts, ensuring coverage during peak hours of activity. However, O’Connell indicated that at this juncture, overnight clinicians may not be as effective or necessary given the current structure of emer-
See HEALTH, 5☛
Boris' Kitchen Performance
"Use & Misuse of History"
Boris' Kitchen put on their spring semester "New Shit Show."
Artificial Intelligence in academia
By IYLA LICHTENFELD Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS
ELIZA BIER/The Justice
LAW: The Waltham Police Department headquarters on Lexington Street.
ARTS AND CULTURE 14
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By JUSTIN RUBENSTEIN
NEWS 3
FORUM 8 Formula 1: Get to know the 2025 Grid By MAX KLEIN SPORTS 12 By THE JUSTICE EDITORIAL BOARD
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