Brandeis Voting News & Events
News, updates and upcoming events.
For up to date information on the next voter registration event on campus, please see the VoteDeis Calendar.
Latest News
November 19, 2024
Brandeis University has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting. The ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation. Brandeis University joins a group of 471 colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN for completing four core actions:
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Participating in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge
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Sharing 2022 NSLVE Reports with campus voting data with ALL IN
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Developing and submitting a 2024 democratic engagement action plan with ALL IN
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Having a current signatory to ALL IN’s Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation.
November 15, 2024
On Nov. 15 from 2-3 pm, the VoteDeis Campus Coalition will be meeting in Abraham Shapiro Academic Complex (ASAC) room 12.
During the meeting, we hope to celebrate all we accomplished this election season, brainstorm new ideas and areas for improvement, and begin to chart our future course for the rest of the semester and year.
Join us for good conversation, snacks, and exclusive VoteGoat stickers!
November 7, 2024
Following the 2024 Presidential Election and its respective results, Brandeis Politics Faculty will hold a pannel to unpack the events of Nov. 5.
Join Prof. Zachary Albert, Prof. Jill Greenlee, Prof. Lucy Goodhart, Prof. Prakash Kashwan, and Prof. Dan Kryder for an engaging discussion sharing various perspectives on the election results.
The panel will take place from 3:30 to 5pm in Hassenfeld-Luria 2 & 3.
November 5, 2024
VoteDeis is sponsoring transportation to local polling stations for voters at Brandeis, including the Brandeis Vote Bus and access to discounted rides. If you require assistance accessing your polling location, in Waltham or elsewhere in the community, please fill out this form, and reach out to VoteDeis@brandeis.edu with any questions.
November 4, 2024
Nov. 4 is National Election Hero Day, a time to celebrate and appreciate all who work tirelessly to make the election process run safely and equitably.
November 1, 2024
What does it mean to be a political participant in the United States?
Join Rose Art Museum’s Yasmine Vera and Madeleine Delpha on Friday Nov. 1 at 12:30 pmas they discuss artworks on view in Lichtenstein100, Face to Face, and Hugh Hayden: Home Work that touch on American value systems, radical and revolutionary action, and civil rights.
These works invite us and challenge us to think critically about histories of disenfranchisement and political representation and how we can uphold our personal and shared ideals through democratic engagement.
This in-person tour is presented by the Rose Art Museum in partnership with VoteDeis. After the tour, there will be nonpartisan support available for voter registration and absentee ballot requests for members of the Brandeis community.
Image credit: Sante Graziani, "America the Beautiful," 1967. Acrylic on canvas. Courtesy Rose Art Museum.
The tour will be held on Friday Nov. 1 at 12:30 pm. Read more about the event and register here.
October 29, 2024
Celebrate Vote Early Day on Tuesday, Oct. 29! Minimize the risks of unexpected issues or conflicts on Election Day by casting your ballot through mail or at drop-off boxes in the area. Find VoteDeis in Upper Usdan to get a stamp for your absentee ballot or help delivering it to the mailroom, and to sign up for rides to the polls if you are voting in person!
October 27, 2024
Hop on the Brandeis Vote Bus! Registered to vote in Waltham? Get a ride Sunday October 27th from 11am-3pm to the Waltham early in person voting location - no absentee ballot needed - you will vote in person! An ADA-compliant BranVan will leave every hour on the hour. Brandeis friends are welcome to ride along and cheer on democracy! For full Waltham early in person voting schedule click here.
October 23, 2024
What does it mean to be a political participant in the United States? Join Rose Art Museum’s Yasmine Vera and Madeleine Delpha as they discuss artworks on view in Lichtenstein100, Face to Face, and Hugh Hayden: Home Work that touch on American value systems, radical and revolutionary action, and civil rights. These works invite us and challenge us to think critically about histories of disenfranchisement and political representation and how we can uphold our personal and shared ideals through democratic engagement.
This in-person tour is presented by the Rose Art Museum in partnership with VoteDeis. After the tour, there will be nonpartisan support available for voter registration and absentee ballot requests for members of the Brandeis community.
Image credit: Sante Graziani, "America the Beautiful," 1967. Acrylic on canvas. Courtesy Rose Art Museum.
The tour will be held on Oct. 23 at 12:30 pm and Nov. 1 at 12:30 pm. Read more about the event here.
October 23, 2024
4 PM, Rapaporte Treasure Hall: A conversation with panelists Rani Balakrishna ‘25, current President of the Student Union, and Peyton Gillespie ‘25, former President of the Student Union. Moderated by Lee Bitsoi, Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Cosponsored by the Student Union, the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, ENACT, and VoteDeis.
October 22, 2024
Join the Brandeis Celebration of Voting featuring The Vote Goat! (Yes, an actual goat!)
Come to Fellows Garden (near the Blue Booths by the Shapiro Campus Center) between 11 am and 2 PM.
Take a “goatie” (goat selfie), get voter registration and absentee ballot support, sign up for election day and early voting transportation, and text friends and family to remind them to make a plan and vote.
Sponsored by the Brandeis Undergraduate Student Union, ENACT, The Dean of Students Office, and the Brandeis Politics Department.
Read more about the Vote Goat and its impact here, or check out photos of the Vote Goat on the VoteDeis Instagram account!
October 15, 2024
As of 2024, VoteDeis is proud to introduce the Inaugural VoteDeis Campus Coalition Steering Committee, comprised of students and faculty dedicated to facilitating civic engagement at Brandeis. The committee includes the following individals:
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Rani Balakrishna ’25, Brandeis Undergraduate Student Union President
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LeManuel “Lee” Bitsóí, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
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Mandy Feuerman ’25, former VoteDeis student president, former ENACT Your Vote Campus Student Engagement Fellow
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Ria Escamilla-Gil ’27, Undergraduate Student Union Vice President
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Professor Jill Greenlee, Associate Professor, Politics Department and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department
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Noah Hochfelder, Springboard Fellow (Innovation Track) Brandeis University Hillel / Mitzvote
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Yoni Kahn ’24, Masters of Public Policy candidate at the Brandeis University Heller School of Social Policy and Management, second year serving as an ENACT Your Vote Campus Student Engagement Fellow, 2024 All IN Student Voting Honor Roll recipient
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Eileen Kell, Academic Administrator for Graduate Programs in Education and Womens and Gender Studies
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Professor Dan Kryder, Luis Stulberg Chair in Law and Politics, Politics Department
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Maia Lefferman ’25, VoteDeis student president, ENACT Your Vote Campus Student Engagement Fellow, 2023 All IN Student Voting Honor Roll recipient
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Madeline Leventhal ’26, Mitzvote
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Kathleen McMahan, Executive Administrator and Communications Specialist, Office of the Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences
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David Weinstein, VoteDeis Coordinator, Assistant Director of ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation
October 10, 2024
The Gender and Sexuality Center (GSC) will be hosting their annual Coming Out Day event on Oct. 10 from 11am-2pm on Chapels Field (with a rain location of Levin Ballroom).
Voter registration tables will be present in collaboration with ENACT Your Vote!
October 9, 2024
Want to connect further with Dr. Allen? VoteDeis will be hosting Dr. Danielle Allen for a conversation about community engagement and activism from 8:30 to 9:50 am in Rapaporte Treasure Hall, in conjunction with Prof. Daniel Kryder's "Introduction to American Government" course.
Please join us for a student-focused Q & A session where participating students will have the opportunity to propose and ask questions directly to Dr. Allen. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.
Please submit your questions here.
October 9, 2024
The Brandeis School of Arts and Sciences is hosting a virtual panel with esteemed faculty Faith Smith, Anita Hill, ChaeRan Freeze and Harleen Singh, examining the 2024 Presidental election through the lenses of race, gender and socioeconomic class. The panel will be moderated by Maria Madison, Interim Dean of The Heller School for Social Policy and Management.
To read more about the event or to register online, click here.
October 8, 2024
Dr. Danielle Allen, recipient of the esteemed Joseph B. and Toby Gittler Prize, will be giving her lecture entitled "Bringing Democracy Back from the Brink: A Strategic Vision and Call to Action" on Oct. 8.
The event will run from 4:30 to 6:00 pm in Rapaporte Treasure Hall. A voter registration table will be present for all attendees.
Read more about Dr. Danielle Allen's Residency here.
October 7, 2024
Oct. 7 through Oct. 11 is National Voter Education Week! Join VoteDeis and other organizations on campus to understand how to bridge the gap between registering to vote and sending in your final ballot.
To read information on how to register to vote, click here.
October 1, 2024
Join VoteDeis and ENACT Your Vote for a non-partisan vice presidential debate watch party, 8:30-10:30 PM Tuesday October 1st (broadcast begins at 9), in Olin-Sang 101!
We’ll watch the debate between Senator Vance and Governor Walz live on a big screen. There will be remarks by Brandeis Undergraduate Student Union Vice President Ria Escamilla-Gil, voter registration and absentee voting info and help, debate bingo cards – and snacks! All are welcome!
This is a nonpartisan event organized by the VoteDeis Campus Coalition and ENACT Your Vote, and funded by ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation. Cosponsors: the Brandeis Undergraduate Student Union, the Dean of Students Office, the Journalism Program, the Intercultural Center, the Legal Studies Program, Hillel's Mitzvote and the Samuels Center for Community Partnerships and Civic Transformation (COMPACT).
Read about the watch party here.
October 1, 2024
Join ENACT and COMPACT to welcome Claudia Bernardi, the Inaugural Justice Brandeis Practitioner-in-Residence for her keynote lecture: "Striving to Strengthen Safe Spaces/Brave Spaces Through Collaborative Mural-Making." Bernardi will be addressing Brandeis from 2:20 to 3:40 pm on Oct. 1 in the Zinner Foum at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management.
Voter registration tables will be present at the event!
September 30, 2024
From 10 am to 7 pm in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium, there will be a voter registration table sponsored by Triskelion in collaboration with VoteDeis and ENACT Your Vote. There will be instructions on voter registration and requesting absentee ballots, information on national and state level legislation that specifically affects minority groups, and resources that can help people to be informed voters for all positions they are eligible to vote for this November.September 25, 2024
VoteDeis is hosting its coalition meeting on Wednesday Sept. 25 at4:30 pm in the Abraham Shapiro Academic Complex room 204.
Stop by to:
- Help plan upcoming events!
- Sign up for volunteer opportunities!
- Meet other coalition members!
- Collaborate on initiatives!
September 12, 2024
The Brandeis Library is hosting three 2024 voter registration events. Come to the Brandeis Library Info Commons:
- Thurs, Sept 12, 1pm - 5pm
- Thurs, Sept 26, 6pm - 9pm
- Thurs, Oct 10, 1pm - 5pm
Register to vote in Massachusetts OR your home state. Deadlines are approaching – Librarians can help with:
- Registration requirements!
- Envelopes!
- Stamps!
- Notary Service!
September 10, 2024
Join us for a Presidential Debate Watch Party! We’ll watch the ABC-hosted debate between former President Trump and Vice President Harris live on a big screen. There will be remarks by Brandeis Undergraduate Student Union President Rani Balakrishna, voter registration and absentee voting info and help – and snacks! All are welcome!
Arrive at Mandel G03 (in the Mandel Center for the Humanities) anytime after 8:30 PM. The debate broadcast begins at 9 PM.
This is a nonpartisan event organized by the VoteDeis Campus Coalition and ENACT Your Vote, and funded by ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation.
Cosponsors: the Brandeis Undergraduate Student Union, the Dean of Students Office, the Intercultural Center, the Legal Studies Program, and the Samuels Center for Community Partnerships and Civic Transformation (COMPACT).
Read more about the event here.
September 4, 2024
VoteDeis welcomed the fall semester at Brandeis – a presidential election year! – with a meeting to kick off a packed semester of voter registration and voter participation outreach.
Students shared ideas, volunteered for VoteDeis opportunities, and discussed the imoprtance of voting.
If you couldn't make it to the kickoff and want to be involved please email Maia Lefferman '25 at maialefferman@brandeis.edu
April 4, 2024
Join the ENACT Your Vote Day of Action on Thursday April 4th! Volunteers will be tabling from noon until 2:30 pm at multiple locations on campus to help peoiple sign up for voting and civic engagement reminders with ENACT Your Vote and to register and make a plan to vote if eligible. Come get snacks and ENACT Your Vote and VoteDeis swag – and join ENACT Your Vote to earn points for Brandeis prizes!
Sponsored by ENACT Your Vote, the VoteDeis Campus Coalition, and the Community Engagement Ambassador Program.
January 18, 2024
"Make Your Vote Count! A Voting Rights Discussion" was led by policy experts from Common Cause, MassVote, and Brandeis: Prof. Zachary Albert of the Brandeis University Politics Department; Marisol Santiago, Policy and Organizing Director for MassVOTE; and Aaron Scherb, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs for Common Cause.
This event was funded by the ENACT Educate & Advocate Grant and the Brenda Meehan Social Justice in Action Grant, and was cosponsored by ENACT: The Educational Network for Active Civic Transformation, the VoteDeis Campus Coalition, the Brandeis University Student Union, Brandeis Democrats, and Brandeis University Young Americans for Liberty.
View a video of the conversation and read more about the event here
Maia Lefferman ‘25 connects Brandeis University’s VoteDeis Coalition with college-based nonpartisan voter engagement efforts in greater Boston through her representation and work with Boston Votes. During the past few years, Boston Votes has held summits to gather the students, faculty, and staff across the coalition to continue strengthening student and campus voter participation efforts.
January 24, 2022
“Voter Participation Earns Brandeis National Gold Seal Recognition:" The VoteDeis Campus Coalition, organized by Leigh Swigart and David Weinstein of the Ethics Center in collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Students, helped Brandeis achieve high levels of participation in the 2020 presidential election.
November
November 3, 2020
9 a.m.-7 p.m.
The Brandeis Student Union is offering a free shuttle to Brandeis's local polling station. It will be leaving every 30 minutes from the Admissions bus stop!
Available to all Brandeis students, faculty, and staff, we want everyone in our community to get to the polls and vote! Don't forget your mask and a valid form of ID just in case! Please note that your passport must be green or yellow to use the shuttle.
Drop off location will be Nathaniel at Banks SQ Condominiums polling station. Free to all Brandeis students, faculty, and staff! Let us know when you are planning on using this resources by filling out the Google form.
November 3, 2020
8-8:15 p.m. | Virtual
Take a mindful moment on election night with HAWP to do 15 minutes of breathing and centering while we wait for the election results to come in.
November 3, 2020
7-11 p.m. | Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Theater
Come to this space to have some conversation with all members of our community and reflect on the results as they come in. Hosted by Dean Jamele Adams and Jessica Basile and Steve Weglinski from Graduate Student Affairs.
November 3, 2020
8-11 p.m.
Location(s): There will be a virtual option, as well more info to come for each area's link.
Each residential area will have group viewing available for up to 25 persons at one time. The following Locations open for viewing include Shapiro Lounge, Polaris Lounge, Ridgewood Commons, Skyline Commons, and Charles River Commons.
November 3, 2020
8-10 p.m.
Lets connect — get to know some of your neighbors! We will have trivia w/ prizes, breakout rooms with guided meditation/stretching, more TBD.
November 4, 2020
Noon-1 p.m. | Virtual
Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and post-election resources requires educators to provide effective and intentional student-focused support. Akané Kousaka, LICSW, will review key elements of the Positive Youth Development framework and share approaches on supporting students in times of crisis. Participants will understand identity as a strength, not a risk factor, and adapt student-centered approaches to our current moment.
November 4, 2020
These spaces will be held for community to come and discuss their feelings and reflections about the Presidential election. All members of the community are welcome to attend. Spaces will be staffed by staff including Brandeis counseling team members.
- Noon
- Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Alex Rossett, Dean of Students/Student Rights and Community Standards and Rachael MacKnight, Brandeis Counseling Center
- Virtual: Facilitated by Rev. Matt Carriker, Center for Spiritual Life and Jessica Basile, Graduate Student Services
- Register
- 5 p.m.
- SCC Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Lara Ericson, Center for Spiritual Life and Raymond Ou, Student Affairs
- Virtual: Facilitated by Leah Berkenwald, Health and Wellness Promotions and Vino Murugesan, English Language Programs
- Register
- 6 p.m.
- 7 p.m.
- SCC Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Ari Massefski, Study Abroad and Raymond Ou, Student Affairs
- Virtual: Facilitated by Maria Madison, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Don Greenstein, University Ombuds and Joy von Steiger, Brandeis Counseling Center
- Register
November 4, 2020
8 p.m.
November 5, 2020
10 a.m. | Virtual
These spaces will be held for community to come and discuss their feelings and reflections about the Presidential election. All members of the community are welcome to attend. Spaces will be staffed by staff including Brandeis counseling team members.
Facilitated by Jessica Basile, Graduate Student Services and Vino Murugesan, English Language Program
November 6, 2020
These spaces will be held for community to come and discuss their feelings and reflections about the Presidential election. All members of the community are welcome to attend. Spaces will be staffed by staff including Brandeis counseling team members.
- 10 a.m.
- Virtual: Facilitated by Vino Murugesan, English Language Programs and Rachael Elliot, International Students and Scholars Office
- Register
- Noon
- SCC Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Jamele Adams, Dean of Students and Jodi Hanelt, International Students and Scholars Office
- Skyline Common Room: For BIPOC and LGBTQIA community: Facilitated by Lauren Haynie, Athletics and Tim Touchette, Community Living
- Virtual: Facilitated by Jessica Basile, Graduate Student Services, Lucas Malo, Community Service, and Rachel Benjamin, International Students and Scholars
- Register
- 5 p.m.
- Shapiro Campus Center Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Andrea Dine, Student Affairs and Raymond Ou, Student Affairs
- Virtual: Facilitated by Ashley Trebisacci, Study Abroad and Michael Matt, Athletics
- Register
- 7 p.m.
- Chumley's Coffeehouse: Facilitated by Stephanie Grimes, Dean of Students and Charlie McBurney
- Virtual
- Register
November 6, 2020
2-3 p.m.
Turn your post-election energy into action — find opportunities in government, public policy, and for social causes. With over 32% of Brandeis graduates entering fields of service including government, nonprofit and public health, Brandeis has a deep alumni network and resources to get you started! Join us to talk about how to start researching and finding internships and jobs.
November 6, 2020
Time: 6-8 p.m.
A space to relax and build community via a film screening hosted by GSC student workers. More info on Instagram @brandeis_gsc.
November 10, 2020
- 10 a.m.
- Virtual: Facilitated by Anna Shur-Wilson, International Business School and PeiNing Lo-Bromberg, Brandeis Counseling Center
- Register
- Noon
- SCC Multipurpose Room: Ari Massefski, Office of Study Abroad
- Skyline Common Room: Monique Pillow Gnanaratnam, Dean of Students Office, Dr. Colleen Collins, Brandeis Health Center and Stefan Jadaszewki, Brandeis Counseling Center
- Virtual: Facilitated by Mai Dewees, Graduate Student Services, Katie Dunn, Academic Services, and Alisha Cardwell, Study Abroad
- Register
- 5 p.m.
- SCC Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Raymond Ou, Student Affairs and Lusi Wang, Community Living
- Virtual: Facilitated by Dennis Hicks, Student Activities and Don Greenstein, Ombuds
- Register
- 7 p.m.
- SCC Multipurpose Room: Facilitated by Stephanie Grimes, Dean of Students and Amy Scobie Carroll, Brandeis Counseling Center
- Virtual: Facilitated by Leah Berkenwald, Health and Wellness Promotion and Dvora Pemstein, Student Affairs
- Register
November 12, 2020
8-9:30 p.m.
Join PARC for a screening of the documentary "The Man Card: White Male Identity Politics from Nixon to Trump" on Zoom. Throughout the screening, we will discuss how White male identity politics and a culture of toxic masculinity reinforce oppression and privilege, leading to high rates of violence, discrimination, and harassment in politics and beyond.
November 13, 2020
Noon | Virtual
September
September 22, 2020
11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 is National Voter Registration Day! With less than five weeks until Election Day, it is time to make sure your voice will be heard! Join us outside the Shapiro Campus Center from to register, request an absentee ballot, make a voting plan, and have all of your questions answered!
If you are worried about making sure your vote is counted this November, we can give you the forms, stamps, and confidence to make it happen!
September 29, 2020
9 p.m.
Come join VoteDeis and your fellow Brandeis students as we watch the first 2020 presidential debate. We will be safely gathered in the big tent on the Great Lawn, as well as in the Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Theater. If you can't be with us in person, tune in to our virtual option, so we can still experience the debate together.
October
October 6, 2020
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Stop by the Library to get your ballot notarized
What do you need to know about Notarizing Ballots?
- Aimee Slater = Notarizer. She will not charge for this service and is happy to notarize other paperwork as well.
- Please email Aimee Slater to let her know you are interested in getting your absentee ballot notarized.
- Bring the following items with you:
- A photo ID with a signature (driver's license, state ID, passport etc.)
- The unsigned documents
- States that require notarizing vote by mail ballots:
- Alaska, Alabama, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and South Dakota
- For more Information on why notarizing ballots is important, please go to National Notary Bulletin
October 14, 2020
Noon-4 p.m. | Fellows Garden
Make your mark and contribute to a collaborative sidewalk mural that reminds Brandeis to get out the vote. Sponsored by Arts Engagement in alignment with the VoteDeis Initiative.
October 20, 2020
7:30-8:30 p.m. | Zoom
Join us for an evening of learning about the value of voting with Rabbi Saul Berman. Rabbi Berman will share wisdom from a lifetime as a civil rights activist, supporter of Soviet Jewry, and as an educator.
October 22, 2020
6-7 p.m. | Zoom
Weekly virtual Stein Night, hosted by the GSA
October 22, 2020
9-11 p.m.
Come join VoteDeis and your fellow Brandeis students as we watch the third and final 2020 presidential debate Oct. 2 at 9 p.m. We will be safely gathered in Schwartz 101, as well as in the SCC Theater. If you can't be with us in person, tune in to our virtual option, so we can still experience the debate together.
October 26, 2020
Noon-1 p.m.
Student-led conversation with Professor Anita Hill moderated by Professor Jill Greenlee. The conversation will focus on the future of equality and the U.S. Supreme Court in the wake of the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the Court.
October 27, 2020
5-6 p.m.
A discussion of democratic participation, civic engagement, and voting access in advance of Election Day.
October 29, 2020
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Please join Brandeis University President Ron Liebowitz for a conversation and Q&A with Tom Friedman '75, H'88, award-winning author and New York Times columnist.
October 29, 2020
6-8 p.m. | Virtual
An opportunity to learn about and honor the life of Justice Ginsburg, and to talk about issues facing our country today.
October 29, 2020
7-7:50 p.m.
Join us for a conversation about what a Biden administration could mean for U.S.-Israel relationships, and how that compares to what the Trump administration has done over the last four years. Alumni Michael Kopolow is the policy director of the Israel Policy Forum and a senior researcher at the Shalom Hartman Institute.
October 30, 2020
4-5 p.m. | Virtual
Philosophy dept UDRs are holding a "Socrates Cafe" on the seeming irrationality of voting and why people should vote. Contact jessicawei@brandeis.edu for link.