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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 20

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

POLITICS

NEW PRESIDENT SWORN IN

The Trump Administration's effect on the Univ. ■ Former finance Prof.,

Peter Petri (BIBS) and Lauren Rikleen`75 speak on the Trump Administration's enforced tariffs and threats to higher education By LUCIA THOMAS AND ARIANA AGARWAL

JUSTICE NEWS EDITOR AND JUSTICE STAFF WRITER

On Feb. 1, the Trump Administration imposed a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on goods from China. Since then, President Donald Trump has continued to increase tariffs, having recently imposed a 145% tax on all Chinese imports. In retaliation to the administration's actions, China, the European Union and Canada have enacted their own tariffs: China began taxing American goods by 84% on April 10, Canada has matched the 25% tax on automobiles and the EU continues to develop plans on retaliation levies on $23 billion worth of U.S. goods. Fear surrounding tariffs and their effects on the U.S. economy have circulated the news and have many Americans worried. Prof. Peter Petri (BIBS), a recently retired Carl Shapiro Professor of International Finance, said in an April 25 interview with The Justice that “no part of the U.S. will be spared, not Waltham, not Brandeis.” He speculated that the tariffs, put into action on Liberation Day, could raise prices of goods, “suck out” hundreds of billions from the spending flow and contribute to higher unemployment rates. The price increase from tariffs occurs because there are fewer goods available on the market, yet demand is the same;

Waltham, Mass.

hence, the prices for consumer goods are driven up, and the economy is hurt overall since there are fewer choices at a higher price. Petri took into account the needs of students, pointing out that those enrolled in the University are consumers of services, such as transportation and education, above material goods. Petri worries about how these commodities will be affected and predicts that uncertainty surrounding the viability of services will be students' greatest problem surrounding tariffs. While tariffs have been fear-inducing for the country, Petri said that “tariffs will hurt but they are an economic problem that will go away.” He emphasized that trade will continue and that the U.S. has the “world's biggest and most successful economy.” Furthermore, Petri views Trump’s “muscleing” of other countries as the president “trying to be a very important person.” Petri worries far more about the Trump administration's attacks on higher education institutions, such as Brandeis. Trump has threatened and cut many universities’ federal funding due to claims of antisemitism and promised that "all federal funding will STOP for any College, School or University that allows illegal protests." The Trump administration has since frozen $2.2 billion in grants for Harvard University along with other withholdings of previous federal support for a number of universities. Over 250 university leaders condemned Trump's attacks on high education by signing a joint statement. No Brandeis official was among them. On April 24, 2025, Lauren Rikleen ’75 spoke at the event "Unraveling Justice:

UNION: The Student Union celebrates new Student Union leaders.

Student Union swears in Presidient and Vice President at State of the Union ■ The Student Union reflected on

its accomplishments and swore in President Ria Escamilla-Gil ’27

See POLITICS, 5 ☛ By SOPHIA DE LISI AND LIN LIN HUTCHINSON

JUSTICE EDITOR IN CHIEF AND JUSTICE NEWS EDITOR

BRIEF A local Waltham organization works to uphold democracy Indivisible Waltham, a social justice group designed to uphold democracy, is dedicated to holding protests against the Trump Administration throughout the Waltham area. The community was formed as a part of the Indivisible movement, which is a network of thousands of local groups across all 50 states. The Indivisible movement sprouted a few months ago as a means to push back against perceived infringes on democracy by “big money in our government,” as stated on their website. The Waltham group coordinates its protests with 50510 gatherings. The 50510 movement was also formed to uphold a democratic society after Trump took office. Indivisible Waltham’s specific mission is “to fight in defense of American democracy, currently under attack by the executive branch of government." Indivisible Waltham has historically held its protests on the Waltham Common. 50 to 60 community members, mostly Waltham residents, gather on the sidewalk beside the intersection of Moody Street and Main

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE COMMONS

Street. Their previous protests were titled Stand Up for Free Speech, Stand Out For Democracy, Hands Off! and Patriot's Day. The first protest was on March 14 and they have since held a gathering at least every other week. Supporters of previous protests have held hand-painted or printed signs. They read things like “RESIST,” “Abolish [Immigration and Customs Enforcement],” “Women’s Rights = Human Rights,” “My Body My Choice,” “Science is Real,” “When one voice speaks for all, no one is heard,” “Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere,” “Diversity Makes Us Stronger” and various other phrases that captured similar sentiments. Indivisible Waltham will be holding two events in their upcoming May Day Rally. The protests will take place on May 1 at 5:30 p.m. and May 3 at 11 a.m. They will also be held on the Waltham Common. — Lucia Thomas

On April 24, the Student Union held its annual State of the Union event in the Mandel Atrium. After delivering opening remarks, the former Student Union President Rani Balakrishna ’25 reviewed the Student Union’s accomplishments over the academic year. Before swearing in President-Elect Ria Escamilla Gil ’27 and Vice President-Elect Daniel Shin ’27, Balakrishna reviewed events the Student Union hosted, projects it sponsored, meetings held with faculty members and funding results from the Community Emergency Enhancement Fund and the Campus Sustainability Fund. The Student Union also recognized accomplishments and successes of its 12 graduating seniors. Continuing the celebration and recognitions, Balakrishna and her successor, EscamillaGil, presented internal awards. Of the four committees within the Student Union, Balakrishna announced that the Senate Internal Committee received the Committee of the Year Award. Additionally, the union also recognized the best new club of the year that was chartered during the year. This year, Girls Who Code was awarded best new club. According to the club's CampusGroups home page, the club’s mission is “to bridge the gender gap in technology by empowering women and nonbinary students at Brandeis University to develop coding skills, foster confidence and pursue careers in tech.” Escamilla-Gil presented two “Innovator of the Year” awards to Senator-atLarge Luke Faberman ’27 and Balakrishna. Faberman also received the “President’s Choice”

West End

Springfest!

 The historic West End neighborhood of Boston may have been destroyed, but its community is strong.

 Brandeis' annual concert featured student openers, opener Baby Tate and headliner Daya.

By BRIANNA EARLE

By NEMMA KALRA

FEATURES 6 For tips or info email editor@thejustice.org

JAMES LI /The Justice

BRYAN WOLFE/The Justice

ARTS AND CULTURE 19

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award. Balakrishna explained that he is “always willing to help out.” “I've sent so many Slack [messages] this year, I feel like I'm shouting into the void with all of my messages and even after all these messages, Luke's always somehow available to help out.” In addition to the “Innovator of the Year” award, Balakrishna was also recognized for her four years of service in the Student Union. Xan Maddock-Mark ’25, Zachary Miller ’25 and Rachel Gao ’25 were all recognized for their three years contribution to the union. Gao was also the recipient of the Vice President award presented by Escamilla-Gil. This year’s Senate legislator of the year was presented to Lukas Gordon ’26. Gordon was recognized for what Balakrishna described as an “instrumental” role during bylaw review. The union also recognized individuals who contributed to its work meaningfully. Balakrishna expressed gratitude to Assistant Director for Operations, Matthew DeCarlo and Associate Director for Budget and Operations in the Department of Student Engagement, Deepa Khatri. The two administrative staff were presented the “Friends of the Union” award. Director of the Department of Student Engagement, Michelle Polt and Director of Orientation and First Year Experience Laura Flynn were awarded the “Dedicated Service to Student Union” awards. Balakrishna shared that the advisors were “instrumental” in decision making and helping the union get through challenging times. After all awards were handed out, Balakrishna swore President-Elect Escamilla-Gil and Vice President Elect Daniel Shin ’27 into their respective positions. During her first speech as president, Escamilla-Gil shared her Student Union origin story, as a first-year seeking the First-year Senator role in the Union. Having never participated in student government in highschool, Escamilla-Gil, to her surprise, received an email notifying her

See STUDENT UNION, 5☛

Brandeis student named Truman Scholar By HANNAH SHAPIRO NEWS 3 A Jewish experience away from Zionism By PENELOPE DICK FORUM 8 Paige Bueckers By JEFFREY WANG SPORTS 11