Spring Break
Teachers are our priority
by Michael Perloff
Op-Ed | 11/25/08
Posted online at 3:08 AM EST on 11/25/08
Rosen also admitted that swimming only played a partial role in his decision to come to Brandeis. The students who did come here solely to swim are significantly more upset, and some have even entertained the thought of transferring if the University does not guarantee the program's survival.
I can understand this position. I came to this school, in part, because of the quality of the debate team. If the University could not sustain that program, then I would be severely disappointed, but the main reason I came here was for the History department, and if the University's budget situation forced it to cut that area, then I would seriously consider transferring, too. But even if the University could no longer afford to maintain the quality of the debate team and the quality of the History department and I were forced to forego all my passions, I would still not suffer the brunt of this budgetary crisis. That distinction belongs to the people who are losing their jobs.
All this upheaval gives us the chance to fulfill the creed of this institution. More than any sports team, academic department or club, Brandeis rests on the pillar of social justice and the forces of compassion and activism that come with it. With members of our community facing excessive challenges, we can act on these values.
There are endless ways for us to help ease the transition from employment to uncertainty. We can help them buy basic needs as they search for new jobs through something as lavish as a dinner benefit featuring the Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra or do something as simple as dorm-storming and tabling in Usdan. We can help them find new jobs by encouraging Hiatt Career Center to help faculty and staff members even after they have been let go.
However good these ideas sound, executing them will be difficult. I understand that the latest economic forecast shows that financial support for this project is unlikely. But even if we can't raise vast sums of money, efforts like these will show the recently released members of our community that they always have a place here, even if they aren't on the payroll.
Everyone has been touched by this economic hurricane, and we will all need to accept sacrifices that go beyond the limits of the University. But on this campus, there are people who will soon face unexpected economic strife. We can find ways to help these people, and, as Brandeis students, we should.
I can understand this position. I came to this school, in part, because of the quality of the debate team. If the University could not sustain that program, then I would be severely disappointed, but the main reason I came here was for the History department, and if the University's budget situation forced it to cut that area, then I would seriously consider transferring, too. But even if the University could no longer afford to maintain the quality of the debate team and the quality of the History department and I were forced to forego all my passions, I would still not suffer the brunt of this budgetary crisis. That distinction belongs to the people who are losing their jobs.
All this upheaval gives us the chance to fulfill the creed of this institution. More than any sports team, academic department or club, Brandeis rests on the pillar of social justice and the forces of compassion and activism that come with it. With members of our community facing excessive challenges, we can act on these values.
There are endless ways for us to help ease the transition from employment to uncertainty. We can help them buy basic needs as they search for new jobs through something as lavish as a dinner benefit featuring the Brandeis-Wellesley Orchestra or do something as simple as dorm-storming and tabling in Usdan. We can help them find new jobs by encouraging Hiatt Career Center to help faculty and staff members even after they have been let go.
However good these ideas sound, executing them will be difficult. I understand that the latest economic forecast shows that financial support for this project is unlikely. But even if we can't raise vast sums of money, efforts like these will show the recently released members of our community that they always have a place here, even if they aren't on the payroll.
Everyone has been touched by this economic hurricane, and we will all need to accept sacrifices that go beyond the limits of the University. But on this campus, there are people who will soon face unexpected economic strife. We can find ways to help these people, and, as Brandeis students, we should.
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