Union Senate Passes Resolutions Supporting Academic Restructuring

Posted on Mon. 02 Mar, 2009 to 1

March 1, 2009

The Student Union Senate has recently passed two separate resolutions stating support for several newly proposed programs in academics at Brandeis. These programs include a major in Business, a major in Communications, Media and Society, and an experiential learning program entitled the Justice Brandeis Semester. The programs are intended to help Brandeis navigate the current financial crisis, and to shape a Brandeis curriculum for the 21st century.

The first resolution supporting the two new majors was submitted by Union President Jason Gray and co-signed by fifteen senators during the Senate meeting of February 22nd. The resolution lauded the innovation and hard work behind planning the programs, and the “inclusive and transparent process behind the formation of these new majors”. The resolution also explained why the Senate thought the new programs would benefit the student body, and urged the faculty senate to approve both programs. The resolution passed with a strong majority vote.

The second resolution supporting the establishment of a “Justice Brandeis Semester” was introduced by Union President Jason Gray at the March 1st Senate meeting and co-signed by sixteen senators. The resolution supports the experiential, inquiry-based nature of the program, and also notes the ability for the program to offset potential problems of overcrowding caused by future increases in student enrollment. The resolution specifically cites the program for answering the “need for innovative, attractive and unique academic programs that will draw more highly qualified applicants.” The resolution urges the faculty to implement the new program on an optional as opposed to mandatory basis, but also to make sure the program would be made “available on a large scale to accommodate as many students as possible.” Lastly, the resolution called on the faculty and administration to include students substantively and “as partners” in working out future details of the program. The resolution passed with a unanimous vote.

Union President Jason Gray says of the resolutions, “I’m happy to see the senate speak up for students in this important process. I believe that these resolutions express the sentiments of a great number of students and also speak for the best interests of the university at-large.”

Executive Senator Andrew Brooks ’09 says of the resolutions, “I believe these resolutions and their strong support in the Senate are an important message to the faculty involved in the restructuring process. Ensuring that students have a say in these decisions is critical and these resolutions are both an example of student involvement and a call for continued involvement in the process. I’m glad to see the Senate wield its power to pass resolutions on matters so important to the future of academics at Brandeis.”

The text of the resolutions and more information about the restructuring process may be found at www.Brandeis.edu/Transformation.

For more information, please contact James Ansorge at UnionCommunications@brandeis.edu

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