EDITORIAL: Despite debates, seniors united
All remained levelheaded
Editorial | 5/25/10
Posted online at 9:43 PM EST on 5/24/10
In the weeks leading up to commencement, the Brandeis community found itself at the center of a debate regarding the University's identity after the announcement that Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren would serve as this year's keynote commencement speaker. Despite differences in opinion, though, the student body displayed the characteristic maturity and unity that defines Brandeis University as a institution of outstanding intellectual discourse.
Prior to graduation this past Sunday, some students participated in protests of Oren's presence at commencement, while others presented University President Jehuda Reinharz with a letter of support. Discussions on Facebook and other online forums showed that Brandeis students' thoughts regarding Oren varied a great deal; however, students maintained an admirable level of respect in their interactions even though their viewpoints differed. The spirit of open dialogue on campus showed that, as usual, the Brandeis community at large can count on students to express themselves in an educated way and learn from controversy.
While this spirit of academic curiosity and respect is in no way surprising, it is striking when juxtaposed with the actions of some of those outside Brandeis. Various media outlets misconstrued students' reactions to Oren's presence at commencement, claiming that student opinions were polarized and based on politics and identity crises when in fact they stemmed from complex reasoning and myriad motivations. These oversimplifications of the discussions occurring on campus sought to cast the student body in an unfavorable light, but the actual events at commencement demonstrated that the community is above petty argument when the time to unite comes about.
The Facebook petition regarding Paul Simon singing at graduation represented an instance of the student body coming together to achieve a common goal, and Simon's resulting performance was a memorable experience for graduating students and their families. In the same spirit was the dignified behavior within commencement itself-even that of students who disagreed with the politics. Protesters were able to express themselves outside of the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center without harassment, and the entire audience listened respectfully during Oren's speech, putting aside their differences in order to celebrate the collective achievements of the Class of 2010.
Central to Brandeis University is the sense that different viewpoints should be respected and engaged with intelligently to encourage debate. While this board still feels that commencement did not represent the appropriate venue for a figure who represented Middle Eastern politics and that a more neutral commencement environment would have been a better sendoff to the Class of 2010, the Brandeis community rose above a tenuous situation and displayed levelheadedness upon which the seniors should pride themselves as they conclude their time at Brandeis.
Prior to graduation this past Sunday, some students participated in protests of Oren's presence at commencement, while others presented University President Jehuda Reinharz with a letter of support. Discussions on Facebook and other online forums showed that Brandeis students' thoughts regarding Oren varied a great deal; however, students maintained an admirable level of respect in their interactions even though their viewpoints differed. The spirit of open dialogue on campus showed that, as usual, the Brandeis community at large can count on students to express themselves in an educated way and learn from controversy.
While this spirit of academic curiosity and respect is in no way surprising, it is striking when juxtaposed with the actions of some of those outside Brandeis. Various media outlets misconstrued students' reactions to Oren's presence at commencement, claiming that student opinions were polarized and based on politics and identity crises when in fact they stemmed from complex reasoning and myriad motivations. These oversimplifications of the discussions occurring on campus sought to cast the student body in an unfavorable light, but the actual events at commencement demonstrated that the community is above petty argument when the time to unite comes about.
The Facebook petition regarding Paul Simon singing at graduation represented an instance of the student body coming together to achieve a common goal, and Simon's resulting performance was a memorable experience for graduating students and their families. In the same spirit was the dignified behavior within commencement itself-even that of students who disagreed with the politics. Protesters were able to express themselves outside of the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center without harassment, and the entire audience listened respectfully during Oren's speech, putting aside their differences in order to celebrate the collective achievements of the Class of 2010.
Central to Brandeis University is the sense that different viewpoints should be respected and engaged with intelligently to encourage debate. While this board still feels that commencement did not represent the appropriate venue for a figure who represented Middle Eastern politics and that a more neutral commencement environment would have been a better sendoff to the Class of 2010, the Brandeis community rose above a tenuous situation and displayed levelheadedness upon which the seniors should pride themselves as they conclude their time at Brandeis.
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