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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 LXXV, Number 22
Monday, May 22, 2023
Mentoring while hungry: Grad students face food insecurity ■ Brandeis graduate students
elaborate on difficulty affording food, housing, and transportation. By LIN LIN HUTCHINSON JUSTICE STAFF WRITER
Social justice begins at home, but sometimes it is hardest to see what is in our own backyard. The food, housing, and transportation insecurity faced by many graduate students is mostly hidden from public view. The driving force behind these issues is financial instability, mainly caused by insufficient stipends and low teaching assistant and teaching fellow wages. The needs of graduate students are far more granular than classes and books. Graduate students are imperative to the operation of Brandeis University. They teach classes, advise students, conduct world class research, and are involved in an interdisciplinary system unique to Brandeis. Although each of the three graduate schools has different requirements, most graduate students are full-time students in addition to part-time workers for the University. The rigor and time commitment makes it difficult to work
an additional off-campus job to supplement their income. According to Brandeis’ website, the school has over 700 Master’s, PhD, and post-baccalaureate students in over 40 programs. “We don’t want it to be onerous for students to be able to get what they need — though they may have to articulate something so we know to meet the need — the goal is not to make it bureaucratic or difficult,” Vice President of Student Affairs Andrea Dine said during an interview with the Justice on April 20. The overarching issue seems to be that although graduate students are financially compensated, their income is not proportional to the cost of living in the greater Boston area, and therefore, they are not making enough to meet even their basic needs. Brandeis is reliant on the work of graduate students, but the harsh reality for many students is that they are suffering physically, emotionally, and mentally because they can not get their daily needs met. “We are adults,” Olivia Leland, a physics PhD student and graduate department representative, said in an April 26 interview with the Justice. “We are adults that are making sacrifices for investment that our peers are engaging in, and my needs are not being met.”
See FOOD INSECURITY, 5 ☛
BRIEF 11th annual Lavender Graduation The Brandeis University Gender and Sexuality Center held their 11th annual Lavender Graduation and Awards Ceremony at the Chris Burden installation “Light of Reason” in front of the Rose Art Museum on May 4. The Lavender Graduation celebrated LGBTQIA+ graduates and community leaders at Brandeis. Drag Queen Patty Bourrée was the master of ceremonies for the event. The Thomas A. King Award was presented to Dr. ChaeRan Freeze (NEJS, WGS) for her service and scholarship as chair of the department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. This award is given to a faculty member embodying LGBTQIA+ allyship, as well as strong engagement with students. Assistant Director at the Office of Study Abroad Ashley Trebisacci received the Pauli Murray Award for making the experience of studying abroad more accessible to LGBTQIA+ students. This award is presented to an administrator or staff member who demonstrates a commitment to justice and dignity for LGBTQIA+ people. The Silvia Rivera award is given to a graduate student demonstrating leadership in action. This award was presented to Lisa
Thorn MPP ’23 for her work with intergenerational advocacy. The Marsha P. Johnson Award is presented to undergraduate students upholding a legacy of service, community, and liberation. This award was presented to Kyla Speizer ’23 for her activism with Period at ’Deis and Richie Impert ’24 for his activism with VoiceMale. Rose Peña Ríos ’23 received the Audre Lorde Award for their service as student leader for Triskelion, the University’s oldest LGBTQ+ student-led community. The Audre Lorde Award is presented to a graduate who courageously affirms the dignity of all human beings, including LGBTQ+ people, through language and actions. Esha Rakesh ’25 received the Leonard Bernstein Award for making a significant difference at the Gender and Sexuality Center as a Pride Representative, specializing in questioning and navigating asexual identities and South Asian-American identity. This event was supported by the GSC, the Rose Art Museum, the LGBTQ+ Alumni Network, and Student Engagement and Campus Life, and was open for all to attend. — Anna Martin
Waltham, Mass.
72nd COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
SMILEY HUYNH/the Justice
ADDRESS: Drew Weissman '81 addresses the class of 2023 during his commencement address.
Drew Weissman ’81 encourages the class of 2023 to ‘embrace the spirit of perseverance’ ■ At its 72nd
Commencement Ceremony, Brandeis welcomed a number of accomplished members of the community and outside guests to give remarks to the graduates. By SOPHIA DE LISI AND ANIKA JAIN JUSTICE EDITORS
After years of hard work, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable experiences, the Class of 2023 graduated on May 21 in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. In addition to speeches from various community members, physician Drew Weissman ’81 GSAS MA ’81 P’15 delivered the commencement address. Weissman and biochemist Katalin Karikó received honorary Doctor of Science degrees for their research on the role of messenger RNA in vaccinations and therapeutics. The two worked together to develop their theory despite heavy doubt within their field. Their research ultimately provided the foun-
Fighting Neo-Nazis
dation for Moderna’s and Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines, which have saved countless lives. In his address, Weissman reflected on how his scientific inquiry blossomed during his undergraduate years at Brandeis. The curiosity instilled in him during that formative time led him to discover the transformative qualities of mRNA. When he and Karikó were met with skepticism in their field, they persevered, leading to groundbreaking progress in vaccinations against COVID-19 and other diseases. He encouraged the graduates to “embrace the spirit of perseverance and never lose sight of the values this institution has instilled in you.” Weissman also warned against the dangers of misinformation and urged the graduates to keep engaging with people who are against progress, no matter how frustrating it may be. “It is all your responsibilities to lead with compassion and hold those that don’t accountable. As leaders, I Invite you to embrace the remarkable potential of science in whatever you choose to do,” he said. Along with maintaining a ba-
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sic science literacy, the graduates should strive to be “a force for good,” said Weissman. A problem he is particularly passionate about addressing is global disparities in healthcare that prevent access to basic public health. "Science does not occur in a vacuum. Progress does not happen in isolation,” continued Weissman. “Scientific discovery and human progress is a shared endeavor that thrives on the exchange of ideas, diverse perspectives, and interdisciplinary collaboration.” He concluded by affirming his faith in the graduates: “Each one of you has the potential to make a profound impact, shape the future, and leave an indelible mark on the world.” Although the graduates will inevitably face challenges as future leaders, they are capable of overcoming obstacles and succeeding in their goals, a sentiment echoed by undergraduate speaker, Nathalie VieuxGresham GSAS ’23 MS ’23. She approached the podium to her graduating peers as they cheered in support. Vieux-Gresham recalled the “Light
See COMMENCEMENT, 2 ☛
Univ. admin and president holds housing listening session
Kenyatta looks at Amazon's mini-series "Swarm" and analyzes its characters.
The editorial board recongnizes the Justice's editor class of 2023
By KENYATTA DAVID
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
By SOPHIA DE LISI and ANIKA JAIN
By CAYENN LANDAU and NATALIE KAHN
NEWS 3 FORUM 8
Brandeis Softball's season ends ahead of NCAA tournament Photo courtesy of KRIS GOLDSMITH
FEATURES 6-7
Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS
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ARTS AND CULTURE 15
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By AIDEN GUTHRO
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SPORTS 12