Social Atmosphere

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brandeis University
21

<p>I'd like to point out that Brandeis makes it positions on social justice. equality, and tolerance VERY clear. This makes Brandeis stand out as being special and is one of the things that most of us love. If someone perceive tolerance as being "pushed" at them, then maybe Brandeis isn't a good fit.</p>

<p>By the way, I'm a straight girl who gets plenty of positive feedback about her looks. I like the way Brandeis students look--both male and female. It's a casual and individualistic style. If someone wants a preppy Greek system, with gays and minorities blackballed, then Brandies probably isn't a good fit either.</p>

22

<p>I have seen 2, maybe 3 attractive girls at brandeis. I am not looking for a brooke burke but everybody has a butter face, is fat and obnoxious. Take or leave my viewpoint. It might be a good thing that future applications will REQUIRE pictures to try to get a more attractive class. Don't take my word for it. Go check it out before you send in your decision to brandeis. Try to find someone that is not just nice but is considered "cool." It is at the heart of the school's problems</p>

<p>The tolerance is definitely shoved down your throat with required hall meetings on gay tolerance and obnoxious emails. </p>

<p>For people that would like to know a little about our president, then check out this link: <a href="http://people.brandeis.edu/%7Ebsnyder/president.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://people.brandeis.edu/~bsnyder/president.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Also, it is the 4th unhappiest campus for a reason.</p>

<p>Academics are pretty good. I just can't stand all the flamboyant people in most of my classes. </p>

<p>I would like to note that I go to zero brandeis parties and a lot of the people that go to brandeis are in love with the school.</p>

<p>I just couldn't be happier to be putting Brandeis in my past. I feel liberated.</p>

<p>Check out this email the brandeis community got in april.</p>

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<p><strong><em>APRIL IS TRISK's PRIDE MONTH!!!</em></strong></p>

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<p>Trisk would like to invite the whole Brandeis community to check out these awesome events that are happening all month long!</p>

<p><strong><em>April 1 - Trisky Business</em></strong>*
Come get your swerve on at the biggest, gayest dance of the year. Dress in your best 80's threads and remember, nobody puts baby in the corner.
[Shapiro Campus Center Atrium | 11pm – 2 am]</p>

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<p><em>April 5 & 6 - LIVE Homosexual Acts!</em>
Stop by Shapiro Atrium on Tuesday and Wednesday to see what queers really do with each other.
[Shapiro Campus Center Atrium | 11am – 2 pm]</p>

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<p><em>April 7 - Triskelion General Meeting</em>
Join us in the Queer Resource Center for our weekly group meeting. This week’s focus is on dating in the queer community.
[Shapiro Campus Center Room 328 | 7pm]</p>

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<p><em>April 8, 9, 10 - The Dutchman</em>
Teatro Revolución's spring production is the Dutchman. Written by Amiri Baraka (the former LeRoi Jones) in 1964, this ground breaking one-act play uses a striking and poetic narrative style to make a comment about race and gender in urban America. Supported by the Brandeis Pluralism Alliance.
[Women's Studies Resource Center Auditorium | Fri-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm]</p>

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<p><em>April 9 - Safe Colleges Conference</em>
Hosted by Tufts University, this day-long event features great workshops and networking opportunities at New England's largest conference for the LGBT and ally community. Cost is $10 and includes lunch.
[Tufts University – Medford, MA | 9am – 6pm]</p>

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<p><em>April 12 - BIG Queer Dinner</em>
All are welcome to this community-wide dinner as we enjoy the company of friends and good food.
[Shapiro Campus Center Atrium | 5:30pm]</p>

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<p><em>April 13 - Fruit for Fruits</em>
Mix it up with prospective students! Enjoy a fruit smoothie as we discuss queer life at Brandeis.
[Shapiro Campus Center Room 328 | 2pm – 4pm]</p>

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<p><em>April 14 - Queer Stein Night & Drag Show</em> Join us in Brandeis's finest dining establishment for live performances and queer camaraderie. The student/staff drag show begins at 10pm!
[The Stein | 9pm – 12am]</p>

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<p><em>April 18 - Meet the Author: Amy Agigian, PhD ('98)</em> Dr. Amy Agigian will lead discussion based on her book, Baby Steps: How Alternative Lesbian Insemination is Changing the World. Come find out about the changing nature of parenting and family – no prior knowledge necessary! Light refreshments provided.
[International Lounge | 12:30 pm]</p>

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<p><em>April 19 - TransBrandeis Brown Bag Lunch</em> Bring your lunch with you and discuss the current state of transgender issues at the university.
[Shapiro Campus Center Conference Room 313 | Noon – 1pm]</p>

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<p><em>April 21 - Day of Silence</em>
The day of silence is a student-led day of action where those who support making anti-LGBT bias unacceptable in schools take a day-long vow of silence to recognize and protest discrimination and harassment.
For more information: <a href="http://www.dayofsilence.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.dayofsilence.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p><em>April 21 - Pride Month Closing Ceremonies</em> Join us as we close out our Pride month events in this evening of celebrating what has past and looking ahead to see what is in store for the future. This event welcomes the entire Brandeis community.
[Shapiro Student Center Atrium | 7pm]</p>

23

<p>First, I have to say that every Trisk (Brandeis's GSA) sponsered event I went to was incredible. Their dances were awesome, speakers were incredible, and the drag show was absolutely hilarious. I'm proud that people of any sexual orientation can feel comfortable and proud at my school. I'm sorry that you don't feel the same way. Secondly, I know several girls who would be considered pretty by any standard. And there are definitely attractive guys as well. I have met many people here who are, not only brilliant, but amazingly cool individuals who I am so happy to know. Sure, there are the social misfits, but that's gonna happen an any school. You learn to deal with them and move on, just like in real life. </p>

<p>Clearly, wompyfrat, you are bent on hating Brandeis and getting others to as well. You're sick of all the "flamboyant" people in your school? I'm sorry you can't deal with people who are different than you or don't conform to some odd standard that you seem to have created for an acceptable person.</p>

24

<p>I thought it would be helpful to post my viewpoint on Brandeis. What is so hard to just let my views be and let people judge the school for themselves.</p>

<p>No need to apologize. The people that Brandeis attracts are usually happy at Brandeis from my experience.</p>

<p>I just don't like guys with pink pokeman binders walking around with their hands in the air wearing clothes small enough to fit a 4th grader. I will be the first to admit my ideals are skewed. The real world is not like this for the most part and I feel as though Brandeis was not preparing me for anything. I am not looking for people that are all the same. I am only sick of all the brown noses (the majority of brandeis)</p>

<p>Go talk to the students who are considered cool by Ivy standards and get their views on Brandeis. They are either there for free so they will cope for the free education or they are absolutely miserable. I have spoke to numerous seniors who tell me to hold on for the ride because it only goes down hill from here. And by sophmore year it gets even worse. I couldn't imagine things getting worse so I am transfering out of Brandeis.</p>

<p>Good luck to all socially fit pepole. You could find your niche</p>

25

<p>why did you go to brandeis then???</p>

26

<p>It's a shame that you spent 4 years at a school that is so obviously a bad fit for you. Why did you waste your time and money--did it really take four years to realize what Brandeis stands for? Most reasonably liberal school have active gay organizations. Your participation certainly was not required. I'm sorry that the school supplies and attire of other students is so offensive to you. Do you realize how petty you sound? </p>

<p>I understand that you're upset that the administration did not accept your recommendation for commencement -- Da Ali G may have been interesting, but Brandeis chose Ms. Marshall, who worked against apartheid in S. Africa and was the 1st female chielf justice in MA. I'd be honored to have th opportunity to hear her speak. " In her native South Africa, Marshall (honorary degree: laws) earned a reputation for being a champion of human rights. As a university student in Johannesburg she drove the wives and families of black political prisoners to see their husbands and fathers in jail. In 1968, she was one of the few whites to stand up at the funeral of Chief Albert Luthuli, one of the great leaders of South Africa.</p>

<p>She was first appointed an associate justice of the state Supreme Judicial Court in November 1996, and was named chief justice in 1999. She is the second woman to serve on the court and the first to become chief justice. Marshall came to the United States to pursue graduate studies in 1968. </p>

<p>Brandeis is also honoring newsman, Tom Brokaw, National Book award winner Ha Jin (wonderful wrtiter and former Brandeis student), nobel prize winner, MacKinnon (also a former Brandeis student). </p>

<p>I guess these folk just aren't sexy enough--perhaps they aren't physically attractive enough to suit your tastes.</p>

27

<p>Sorry--I see you didn't wait for 4 years. That was a wise decision. Hope you find a place that works for you, but I also hope that, in time, you'll realize the value of tolerance.</p>

28

<p>For all of you prospective students here is a pro/con list of what Brandeis is about:</p>

<p>~~PROS~~
1. you won't find a place with better professors. they care about their work and their students. there was not one class, no matter how tedious the work, that i didnt like b/c of the professors.<br>
2. academics are very strong and there are many interesting classes.<br>
3. my roommate is someone that i will be in touch will for the rest of my life. whether it was luck or Brandeis that matched that pair, it definitely had an overwhelmingly positive affect on an otherwise dreary year.
4. its a good name school.</p>

<p>~~CONS~~
1. there is a large void of happiness on the campus. the school is noted as the 4th most unhappy campus in the US college survey and rightfully so. The parties are usually short-lived and broken up. There is also a lack of typical college activity such as concerts, sports, and other assumed college activities that one would think about. I can't note then simply b/c Brandeis didn't offer anything.
2. this is not meant to be a put down to the students, but there is a severe lack of good individuals on campus. The girls, for the most part, are unkempt and very loose in their appearance. I found that people were not clean about themselves and it was a huge people turnoff.
3. the school is very pro-activist...not a bad thing if you are the type to march in the streets b/c people cut down trees or like to wear fur...but the school does not cater to the college student is looking for a cool hang out after classes or on a weekend. there is "Chum's" which is a delapidated small nook of a dorm that could hardly be called a place to hang. most of the students can be found typing away on their computers or sitting in front of books. if a social life is important, then maybe this isnt the school for you.
4. tolerance in most certainly thrown in your face for gays, minorities, and women. im not a racist, not a sexist, and i do not hate gays...but enough is enough. tolerance is shoved down your throat at every angle to the point where someone who didnt hanve a problem in the 1st place would become annoyed.<br>
5. the food is atrocious. aramark provides some of the worst college meals ive ever had. sometimes the food is stale; sometimes the food is just not good. there is also a lack of eateries on campus. if Brandeis took note of it, maybe they would do something about it such as crate another "Dominics" on campus to better suit the students needs.<br>
6. there is a general feeling amongst the students of unhappiness and rightfully so. there is nothing to do on campus. </p>

<p>...sure there will be those current students at Brandeis who will respond to this post and deny it up and down, but this is the way that it is. No more and no less. If i felt nothing for the rest of the students at Brandeis, i would have to respect their ability to stay there and put up with the stuff that they are spoon fed. As for me, had i known what i was getting into, Brandeis i definitely would not have chosen. i cannot do another term and have transferred out. feel free to ask questions in posts, ill be more than happy to answer them for you. take care.</p>

29

<p>I've found pretty much all the pros to be the same way. As the above post. The academics are fantastic. However, I guess I've found more in the way of social life than some other people. Taking a look at the above post...</p>

<p>"1. there is a large void of happiness on the campus. the school is noted as the 4th most unhappy campus in the US college survey and rightfully so."</p>

<p>Personally, I don't think the campus is unhappier...I think people just complain more. I'm very happy at 'Deis and most of the people I know there are too. What does get on my nerves is all the griping.</p>

<p>"The parties are usually short-lived and broken up." </p>

<p>I can't speak for huge parties, but I know all of the ones I've been to have been fun. I had a couple parties in my room, neither of which were broken up. Been to several others. Generally, what happens, at least with my group of friends, is someone decides to have party and people show up and bring friends. They're not huge or anything and, to be honest, not open to everyone. But if you don't need a huge party to have fun and are happy just chilling and drinking with a bunch of good friends, the "party scene" is fine.</p>

<p>"There is also a lack of typical college activity such as concerts, sports, and other assumed college activities that one would think about. I can't note then simply b/c Brandeis didn't offer anything."</p>

<p>Wilco and The Presidents of the United States of America anyone? Wilco was a $5 concert with the Fiery Furnaces. Much fun. Unfortunately, I missed the Presidents, but they performed as part of a day-long music festival with a bunch of local bands. It was awesome. As far as sports, you're right. If you're looking for a great sports school, don't come to Brandeis.</p>

<p>"2. this is not meant to be a put down to the students, but there is a severe lack of good individuals on campus. The girls, for the most part, are unkempt and very loose in their appearance. I found that people were not clean about themselves and it was a huge people turnoff."</p>

<p>I have found this with some people, but not with all or even most. Don't let a few anti-socialites kill your perspective of the entire student body.</p>

<p>"3. the school is very pro-activist...not a bad thing if you are the type to march in the streets b/c people cut down trees or like to wear fur..."</p>

<p>K, so I am a crazy bleeding-heart liberal. But I must say it was pretty amazing to jump on a bus with the Students For Peace organization and road trip it down to DC to march during the inauguration.</p>

<p>"but the school does not cater to the college student is looking for a cool hang out after classes or on a weekend. there is "Chum's" which is a delapidated small nook of a dorm that could hardly be called a place to hang." </p>

<p>Awww...I like Chum's! Chum's is a student-run coffee house in the castle. They have yummy ice cream and student groups often perform there.</p>

<p>"most of the students can be found typing away on their computers or sitting in front of books. if a social life is important, then maybe this isnt the school for you."</p>

<p>Again, I haven't found this to be the case. Maybe during finals or in the heart of midterms. But, even this week, I chilled with people in a lounge watching Life of Brian, played the Sex in the City trivia game turned drinking game, went to an awesome birthday party (which, incidently, wasn't broken up even though we were quite loud and during finals there are 24 hour quiet hours), and just generally hung out. Sure there was plenty of reading and computer-using to be had, but there was also plenty of socialness.</p>

<p>"4. tolerance in most certainly thrown in your face for gays, minorities, and women. im not a racist, not a sexist, and i do not hate gays...but enough is enough. tolerance is shoved down your throat at every angle to the point where someone who didnt hanve a problem in the 1st place would become annoyed."</p>

<p>eh...I've already spoken to this. I don't find it an issue, but again, I'm a bleeding-heart.</p>

<p>"5. the food is atrocious. aramark provides some of the worst college meals ive ever had. sometimes the food is stale; sometimes the food is just not good. there is also a lack of eateries on campus. if Brandeis took note of it, maybe they would do something about it such as crate another "Dominics" on campus to better suit the students needs."</p>

<p>K...this is probably true. The food is pretty awful. But you live. Buy soup from the C-store with extra points. =P</p>

<p>"6. there is a general feeling amongst the students of unhappiness and rightfully so. there is nothing to do on campus."</p>

<p>I disagree...there is plenty to do, even if it's "just" hanging out with the amazing friends I've made at Brandeis or going into Boston. There have been some nights where I couldn't decide what to go to because there were so many options, from theater, to comedy troups, to concerts (on campus and in Boston), to huge annual shows like Liquid Latex, Culture X, Mela, (and of course the semesterly showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, for which I was a techie this past semester). </p>

<p>If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.</p>

30

<p>The bottom line im trying to get across is if you want a well-rounded college experience full of great academincs, a blooming social life, and a great atmosphere...you might want to look into other colleges other than Brandeis.</p>

<p>This is not an attack on Brandeis; it is just a report on what i, as well as many many many others in the student body feel and have felt.</p>

31

<p>And my bottom line is you could definitely find all of those at Brandeis.</p>

32

<p>smwarsh, why you first opening your mouth now , after may 1st when everybody has enrolled in brandeis ???</p>

33

<p>all i can say is that i'm heading to 'deis because of the social atmosphere...i mean its not crazy parties like a state school, but that's good cause then there's less distraction and one can accomplish work. The people i met, mostly midyears, were pretty tight and i have to say that i'm pretty excited.</p>

34

<p>had i known about this site i would have stated my claim earlier...for those of you at or going to brandeis, good luck, you'll need a lot of it to get through it.</p>

35

<p>it says something about the school when for every 5 people who like it, there is somebody who hates it, and i think people should know about things like that before they go and blow 40,000 on, what to me was, a bad investment. the retention rate of some 88% speaks in volume.</p>

36

<p>Wompyfrat and Smwarsh: It's clear from your posts that your expectations for your Brandeis experience and your actual experiences there didn't mesh. Can you explain what you thought you were going to experience...your initial reasons for attending Brandeis? It would provide a fuller picture for those of us who have Brandeis on our radar.</p>

37

<p>basically what i was expecting was not so much of what you see from animal house, but some form of life outside of books. i carried a 3.9 at brandeis for the 2 semesters, so im not a drunken party animal who gets bombed every night. i do however expect a college to have activities on campus for their students. sure guest speakers are nice, gay tolerance shows are what they are, and labor coalitions you can do what you want with, but there were no real social events. the first week is full of student oriented things and then theres nothing. how about putting some money into sports teams, having more social events (not like the crap they throw in the campus center), or even recognizing the frats. every frat party has been broken up b/c brandeis staff has notified the police to come around. it seems like every attempt at fun was thwarted. sure people can make the best of any situation, but for $40,000 why should i be forced to feel that way. most of the kids who tell u they make the best of it are on some kind of ride or grant and so they will tell you otherwise. i feel like a life is just as important as academics in these years and to live it up while you can before you go to work for the rest of your life. it looks like you are a parent from your name, and i dont know what your child's preferences are as of dating or not, but there is a severe lack of good looking students. i do not say that everyone must be beautiful, but some eye candy is essential to any school. Woody Allen made a joke, and its really not funny after having spent a year at brandeis..."9 out of 10 jewish girls are good looking, and the other tenth go to brandeis." i found myself having to leave campus to look for activity on a weekend and spent much time at other schools. If you are looking for a good school with a good life, why don't you look at tufts...its at a better academic level than brandeis and has a lot of spirit on campus--all for the same price. there's a reason people mope around at brandeis...they have nothing better to do.</p>

38

<p>Thanks for your answer, Smwarsh. You're right, I am a mom, so I don't actually get much of a vote (except for the thumbs up or down on whether we can afford it). But I do appreciate your willingness to provide a different perspective. Do you know where you are transferring to?</p>

39

<p>i will be attending ILR at Cornell next fall. good luck with the searches, hope your kid goes where he/she is happy.</p>

40

<p>I agree more or less with smwarsh views on Brandeis. I think there should be more to school than just academics.</p>