Brandeis Stories

2023 in review [Title]

From arts to science, Brandeis was a busy place this year. [Subtitle]

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Photo Credit: Gaelen Morse

By Jarret Bencks
May 1, 2023 • 10 minute read

When the President’s Task Force on Campus Sustainability at Brandeis convened to draft a new climate action plan for the university, they outlined ambitious goals for the campus to achieve carbon neutrality and become more climate reslilient. [Editor]

Also among its recommendations: An entire year dedicated to developing a deeper understanding of climate change as an issue of social justice.

After nearly two years of planning, 2022-2023 became Brandeis’ first-ever Year of Climate Action. The events and initiatives were brought to reality by the Brandeis Sustainability Committee – co-chaired by Director of Sustainability Mary Fischer and Associate Professor Colleen Hitchcock – a team of student "Sustainability Ambassadors", and a core team of faculty and staff.

The Year of Climate Action connected 23 campus partners, and more than 3300 people who attended 57 campus events and programs. Additionally, 30 faculty were trained in workshops and 150 seats were created in new courses with a focus on climate.

Here are some of the ways the Year of Climate Action made a difference.

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Climate education incorporated into existing courses.

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Over 30 faculty were trained in ways to incorporate climate change topics into existing courses in workshops hosted by the Sustainability Committee, and many of them implemented changes this year. Courses across disciplines were updated with new material, units, and projects that focused on sustainability and climate-related material.

New courses focused on climate.

A host of new courses inspired by the Year of Climate Action provided 150 new seats for students. Courses included Environmental and Climate Justice with Prakash Kashwan, Our Local Waterways with Sally Warner, and Jewish Environmental Ethics with Yehudah Mirsky. Additionally, the Eco-Anxiety support group, which is being transformed from a counseling center group into an elective course to fulfill Brandeis’ HWL requirement.

Pilot and expansion of Brandeis’ sustainable grounds management initiatives.

In 2022, Brandeis piloted several organic land management practices. The pilot included replacing and phasing out synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, including replacing the glyphosate-containing Roundup; purchasing its first electric leaf blower and electric trimmer; and incorporating measures to improve the soil naturally, such as using organic fertilizer, applying compost to nourish the vegetation, and purchasing and applying more drought-tolerant grass seed.

The pilot is being expanded to upper campus this summer, with plans to expand further over the next 2-3 growing seasons. Additionally, Brandeis purchased its first electric lawn mower this spring, and is upgrading its irrigation system to save approximately 1.5 million gallons of water annually.

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Celebrate Brandeis at 75 [Feature]

October 2023

Save the date October 13-15, 2023 for a weekend that brings together the best of the university’s annual events with special anniversary events celebrating the university’s bold past and bright future.

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Cameron Samuels '26 testifies before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee

The Brandeis undergrad is making an impact in Washington, and beyond.

Welcoming new faculty

Thirty new faculty members join the ranks at Brandeis.

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“I hope our Brandeis students take the time to get to know our wonderful library and all the resources it offers.”

Meet our newest students

The Class of 2027 arrived to campus, ready to begin their journey at Brandeis.

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Camila Maroja

Assistant Professor of Fine Arts

Maroja received her PhD from Duke University in 2015. She has held several academic appointments including positions at State University of California, Fullerton College, York University in Canada, McGill University in Canada, and Colgate University. Her teaching and research are focused on Latin American modern and contemporary art and visual studies, with an emphasis on decolonial methodology and transnational exchanges in the Americas.

Andie Barry

Andie Berry

Instructor in Theater Arts

Berry will receive her PhD in African American Studies and English from Yale University in 2024. She has held academic appointments at Yale University and the New School. Her research interests are in contemporary African American theater with a focus on women’s writing and performance, twentieth- and twenty-first century performance cultures, and experimental drama.

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