Future President Frederick M. Lawrence: To Change and Not to Change

Future President Frederick M. Lawrence will become the eighth president of Brandeis on Jan. 1, 2011. With his arrival to campus vastly approaching, many Brandeis students have been discussing changes they would like to see him facilitate and aspects of Brandeis that they would like to remain. After speaking with Brandeis students, money is of the utmost importance to students. There is the hope that Lawrence will bring more money to campus because with increased funds comes further ways to enhance Brandeis such as refurbishing older dorms and adding more dining options. Lawrence just stepped down as dean of the George Washington University Law School and, according to the press release on the Brandeis University website, he has “led five of its most effective years of fundraising, despite historically challenging economic conditions.” Nevertheless, we have to remember that our current president, Jehuda Reinharz, has “raised $1.2 billion for the university.” 

Money is also an issue in regards to financial aid; Reinharz should also be applauded for making “it possible for any qualified student seeking a Brandeis education to access financial aid.” Students express hopes that Lawrence will continue this tradition because many students are made able to attend Brandeis due to the generous financial aid packages. The Transitional Year Program (TYP) at Brandeis should also remain and thrive for it has not only brought diversity to our school, but has allowed students who come from under-resourced high schools to receive a Brandeis education. Students do not want to see Brandeis become just another East-coast, private school where students get in due to things like nepotism and wealth rather than merit.

The munificent financial aid opportunities Reinharz installed has helped to promote diversity on campus.  For non-Jewish students, however, Brandeis sometimes feels overwhelmingly Jewish. This is a main attraction to Brandeis, however, for students of the Jewish faith, arriving at a campus where one does not feel like a minority. Also, this is a school where observant Jews can get the best of both worlds; a college education at a well-respected university and an awareness of their faith from the people around them, which allows them to remain observant. Yet, the “Jewish scene” can sometimes appear cliquey and leave some students feeling excluded because they do not relate in upbringing and morals to the other students. Wherever one may turn to college, it is a natural migratory act to socialize with people similar to you. It would not hurt, however, to have more diverse students matriculating at Brandeis because it is important to see different perspectives, whether you are in the classroom or at the lunch table. On Nov. 15, 2010, future President Lawrence spoke about his vision for religious pluralism on campus at the “What-IF? Speak-In!” dialogue at the Rapaporte Treasure Hall. 

While money and faith were deemed the most pressing issues to students, social events held on campus were also taken into account. As we all know, Brandeis is not known for its wild social scene, but some students would like to see more social events held on campus, while others wish it would stay quiet so they can fully concentrate on their studies. “School spirit” (or lack thereof) was also mentioned, but again posed mixed opinions because some students see this as a positive aspect of Brandeis while others … not so much. Both soccer teams generated quite the buzz this year and if you had wanted to cheer, there were opportunities; perhaps they were just not as obvious as some would like.

Finally, there is a hope that Lawrence could work on particular aspects of the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. Nipun Marwaha ’12, the former president of the Brandeis Republicans and chair of the Campus Operations Working Group, felt passionately against point 7.5, which discusses forms of sexual harassment, saying, “These rules are enumerated quite well, and while I have issues with the wording, the true problem lies with the enforcement. We all know it happens yet you don’t hear about resolutions. Many people get off easy by simply being moved off campus or given a semester off.”

Students at Brandeis stand up for the causes they believe in and, when Lawrence becomes president next semester, this will not change. Therefore, instead of getting caught up on what he will or will not do, it’s more important to keep fighting for the changes you want to see happen. Lawrence is certainly qualified for the job and encapsulates the morals that Brandeis stands for, most importantly being that of social justice.