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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 LXXVI, Number 20
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
COACH UNDER FIRE
Waltham, Mass. Waltham, Mass.
NEW HOUSING
Brandeis admin reveals initial plans of new oncampus housing ■ The Vice President of
Student Affairs discusses plans for new housing, expected to open fall 2027. By ZOE ZACHARY
JUSTICE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Over the past few years, Brandeis’ lack of housing availability has become one of the most frequently discussed topics on campus. According to Vice President of Student Affairs Andrea Dine, Brandeis administration has been making efforts to respond to these criticisms. In an April 2 interview with The Justice, Dine discussed the University’s plans to build a new residence hall, expected to open no later than fall 2027. Though the design of the new residence hall is not yet determined, Dine established that the plans to build it have been solidified. She and Vice President
for Campus Planning and Operations Lois Stanley, are co-chairs of the project and have been working on it for around two years. Dine highlighted that Stanley has previously worked on the Tufts University campus as director of Campus and Capital Renewal Planning. The goal for the new residence hall is to house 650 students, a huge undertaking. Where will the building go? According to Dine, new housing will likely be built either in the areas that are currently the X-lot, the T-lot or both. While this choice may come as a surprise, Dine explained that the increasing transition to remote work has caused fewer parking spaces to be necessary. In her words, “we’re not using parking the same way we used to when every single staff and faculty member was here every day, five days a week.” She clarified that a parking study will take place as a part of this project to more accurately assess the ramifications of building over one or both of the lots. As designs for the building aren’t yet in existence, the style and layout of the new residence hall is currently
CECI XILEI CHEN/The Justice
TEAM GATHERING: The Brandeis women's basketball team huddles around then head coach Carol Simon in the 2023-2024 season
See PLANS, 7 ☛
MARCH
Despite allegations of racism and Take Back The Night: A misconduct, Carol Simon reinstated march across campus
■ Student-athlete
community gathered on Tuesday, April 2 in light of recent investigation that concluded women's basketball Head Coach Carol Simon was not in violation of Brandeis standards. By RANI BALAKRISHNA, ANNA MARTIN AND REBECCA SUAREZ
JUSTICE EDITOR, JUSTICE EDITOR IN CHIEF AND JUSTICE STAFF WRITER
Although Brandeis prides itself on holding a strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity, the athletics department has faced several allegations of racism in the past six years, most recently against the head coach of the women’s basketball team, Carol Simon. On April 2, the Athletics Department and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion hosted a “community gathering” in the Napoli Room in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. This gathering was a space for the Athletics community to share their frustrations and anger regarding the recent reinstatement of Simon. Director of Athletics Lauren Haynie sent an email on March 29,
detailing the results of the recent Office of Equal Opportunity investigation. The email stated that the investigation found Simon “not in violation of Brandeis standards,” but her history of alleged racism and abusive behavior stems from the complaints and witness statements of players. An initial OEO investigation concluded in May of 2023 that Simon did violate Brandeis standards regarding those allegations. Her alleged racist comments and actions to players, assistant coaches and colleagues have persisted for years. Following this investigation, an article detailing the allegations and their results was published by Deadspin on July 31, 2023. This article prompted another investigation, which resulted in Haynie’s recent email on March 29 that concluded that Simon did not violate any Brandeis policies. Simon was reinstated as head coach of the team in late March of 2024 after almost a year of paid administrative leave. The women’s basketball team was informed of her reinstatement in a Zoom meeting on March 28 with Haynie, and the Vice President of Student Affairs, Andrea Dine. When asked for comment, Dine responded in an April 8 email to The Justice saying “My colleagues and I are aware of the concerns that have been expressed by the mem-
bers of the women's basketball team and we have been endeavoring to support the team as much as possible. Due to employee privacy rights, we cannot comment on the specifics of the situation.” While Simon was on leave, assistant coach Jill Latanowich stepped up as Acting Head Coach to fill the role. She was the head coach for the 2023-2024 season, and when emailed by The Justice on April 3 she stated, “I’m proud of them. They continue to navigate and persevere — and I am here to support them through times of uncertainty. They deserve to be heard.” This response was received on April 4. Simon has been the head coach of the Brandeis team since 1987. Over her 37-year career, she has received many honors, including an induction into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. Her current superior, Associate Director of Athletics Lynne Dempsey, was previously a student-athlete on her team. Simon is a well-known legacy in the department and holds a respected voice, and her reinstatement comes when another one of her former players was just hired as the next Director of Brandeis Athletics. Many rumors regarding Simon’s inappropriate behavior have been
See INVESTIGATION, 7 ☛
gathering against the sexual violence and walked through camous to the Lights of Reason. By ALISHA ANDERSON
JUSTICE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
On April 5 the Prevention, Advocacy and Resource Center at Brandeis University hosted their annual Take Back the Night event to raise awareness about sexual violence during National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. TBTN is a global movement against sexual assault. According to TBTN’s website, the initiative began in the 1970s when more than 2,000 women representing more than 40 countries gathered at a Tribunal Council meeting in Belgium. The name ‘Take Back the Night’ refers to when women in the 1970s stood up and advocated for the “essential right of women to walk alone at night without fear of being raped, harassed, or otherwise harmed.” TBTN events have historically included marches, rallies and
protests in support of ending sexual violence in all of it’s forms. TBTN’s official mission is inclusive and welcoming in nature, aiming to “unite people from every background, belief and culture around the world to take a visible and vocal stand.” A group of around 10 committee members, along with large support from PARC, helped bring TBTN’s mission to the Brandeis community. At 6:00 pm. students gathered in Rapaporte Treasure Halin Goldfarb Library. Committee members welcomed students at the door and provided attendees with snacks, water and free shirts. Upon arriving at the event, participants were encouraged to write a word that came to mind on a candle. The event commenced with an introduction, an explanation of the history behind TBTN and a moment of silence. Speakers then transitioned to sharing poetry and quotes by survivors, including the two poems “They Think They Win” by Richard Dodd and “Gaps” by Abigail, as well as a piece by Aaminah Shakur called “It Wasn’t Your Fault.” All pieces spoke to the survivor experience, allowing attendees to engage with
See TBTN, 7 ☛
Library Archives
Folk Festival
Book bans and educational censorship
Archivist Chloe Gerson spoke on the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections.
Brandeis brought back long-standing tradition of the Folk Festival for the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Arts.
By MOMOCA MAIRAJ
By RIA ESCAMILLA-GIL RIA ESCAMILLA-GIL/ The Justice
■ The anual event included a
By ESTER BALABAN
FEATURES 9 For tips or info email editor@thejustice.org
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ARTS 18
Course Registration By THE JUSTICE EDITORIAL BOARD
WNBA Mock Draft Analysis By JACKSON WU
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NEWS 5
FORUM 10 SPORTS 16