Where is the !#@& Unsend button!/God Bless My Alma Mater

[LastWhiteSoxFanStanding]

I am still trying to figure out who is dumber in this whole mess.

For those of you who are lazy, scroll down to the second email, that is where the fun begins. I promise!

http://people.brandeis.edu/%7Ebsnyder/president.htm

MY LETTER TO PRESIDENT REINHARZ ABOUT THIS YEAR'S CHOICE FOR OUR COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER:


Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 19:39:38 -0400
From: Brian Snyder
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Honorary Degree Recipients



President Reinharz:



As a graduating senior I feel it is my responsibility to finally speak out against the ultimate decision made by Brandeis, one which actually has a real impact on its students. I stood idly by and watched my tuition money be needlessly spent on an ice rink, I did not step forward when my advisor (and the one professor I have had at this University who actually showed a great interest in his students' lives), Professor Stookey, was fired for not having tenure, and I did not even protest Brandeis's ridiculous actions to prevent any semblance of a social life this year by giving out off-campus housing information to local police officers (thus preempting any off-campus, legal parties). However, with this recent notification of our esteemed commencement speaker, I feel like I need to speak out for all those who do not want to waste their efforts on deaf ears.



In the past two years, Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania have given honorary degrees to actor/comedian Will Ferrell, actor/comedian Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G), and rock singer/human rights advocate Bono, respectively. The students were entertained with a creative and humorous speech, while also gaining the insight of these esteemed men. Harvard and UPenn are two of the most prestigious schools in this country, and they were able to offer their students a commencement that they will forever remember. If Brandeis is simply content with being a second-rate institution, whose students either despise their four years at the school or who simply leave indifferent to their time spent there, then the University's actions seem appropriate. Last Fall I submitted an e-mail to you asking for Sacha Baron Cohen to deliver the commencement address. He is a Jewish comedian who has gained great fame from his hit HBO series, Da Ali G. Show. The e-mail that I received in response from your assistant was almost laughable. The guidelines that have been set forth to allow someone to be our commencement speaker all but negates anyone who might actually entertain or inspire us on OUR graduation day. We have spent four long, tiring years at this school, paid over $130,000in tuition fees, and have endured countless wastes of our money and time, I feel that the least that the administration can do is reward us for this.



Clearly Justice Marshall has led a very interesting life and accomplished a few amazing feats, but I challenge you to find one graduating senior who was thrilled to learn that she will be giving our keynote address. The easy response is to say that we all had an opportunity to submit applicants for the ceremony; however, as I am sure you know, no one of any interest to the majority of the seniors would ever be chosen by the panel. Jon Stewart, the ever-popular Jewish satire journalist from the acclaimed Daily Show, would have likely amazed all of us with his liberal insight (something Brandeis holds very dear), his scathing reports on the war in Iraq, and his uncanny wit. He would have served as an ideal candidate, but he was obviously overlooked. I do not mean to undermine Justice Marshall's accomplishments, but again, what student will want to remember her address as the highlight of his or her commencement ceremony?



The sad part of this decision is that I did not expect anything different from Brandeis. For four years the University has found any way possible to promulgate its philosophies and goals while categorically hindering the students from actually attempting to enjoy their college lives. If these were supposed to be the best four years of our lives, I fear what is to come. You can be assured that I will never donate a single dollar of my money to this University, and unfortunately that is a fairly popular sentiment among the students here. Unless the administration actually attempts to change its actions to at least TRY to benefit the students, Brandeis will be faced with great problems in the upcoming years. Thank you for your time, I look forward to seeing you for the second time in my college career at commencement.



Sincerely,

Brian Snyder '05

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



HIS REPLY TO MY EMAIL (OBVIOUSLY INTENDED TO BE SENT TO EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT, DR. JOHN HOSE)


Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 20:20:10 -0400
From: Jehuda Reinharz
To: Brian Snyder
Subject: Re: Honorary Degree Recipients



John,



find out if he is on scholarship



Jehuda Reinharz, President

Brandeis University
415 South Street, MS 100

Waltham, MA 02453

(781) 736-3001

(781) 736-8699 FAX

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



MY REPLY TO HIS REPLY:


Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 21:43:02 -0400
From: Brian Snyder
To: Jehuda Reinharz
Subject: Re: Honorary Degree Recipients



President Reinharz:



I mean no disrespect by this e-mail in any way, but I wanted to let you know that I received the letter you sent to "John." To answer your question, no, I am not on scholarship. Have a good evening.



Sincerely,
Brian Snyder

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HIS EVENTUAL REPLY, AFTER THE DAILY NEWS TRIBUNE ARTICLE AND WRKO RADIO INTERVIEW:

From: Jehuda Reinharz
Date: April 14, 2005 8:58:24 AM EDT
To: Brian Snyder
Subject:

April 14, 2005

Dear Brian,

I am taking this opportunity to respond to your letter of Monday, April 11, 2005.

It is now common knowledge that you feel that the university failed to deliver on many or most of your expectations as a student at Brandeis University. In reading your letter I found it extraordinary that you are just getting around to communicating your complaints � five weeks prior to graduation. It is sad that you have failed to understand that a college education is a partnership � one that exists between outstanding students and faculty, and is supported by a dedicated staff.

In order to answer your email, I attempted to learn more about why you might feel that Brandeis had failed you. It was within the context of that inquiry that I mistakenly sent to you an email clearly intended for my executive assistant. I regret this, of course. It was a mistake.

I found your characterization of Brandeis disturbing and wondered what could have transpired to create your huge sense of dissatisfaction. And, I also wondered how you could have waited so long to seek out an audience for your many grievances with the university. It was disheartening to read how unusually narrow your experience at Brandeis may have been. I wish that we could have communicated one-on-one sooner. I feel that you have by your recent rash and extremely public actions committed a disservice to your classmates, alumni and the Brandeis community. This public e-mail display is not productive.

Brian, you may not agree with the university�s choice of Commencement speaker; and, you are free to express your opinions. It strikes me as disingenuous, however, that one who professes such alienation from the University should take up this issue with such passion.

Sincerely,

Jehuda Reinharz



Jehuda Reinharz, President
Brandeis University
415 South Street, MS 100
Waltham, MA 02454
(781) 736-3001
(781) 736-8699 FAX

[flere-imsaho]

Oopsie....

[Flasch186]

and? What is he public student body saying? What are the proposals? Are there solutions in the works? are there changes coming?

[moriarty]

In order to answer your email, I attempted to learn more about why you might feel that Brandeis had failed you. It was within the context of that inquiry that I mistakenly sent to you an email clearly intended for my executive assistant. I regret this, of course. It was a mistake.

I smell a cover up .....

[hhiipp]

Apparently your opinion only matters if you are on a scholarship.

[Barkeep49]

Originally Posted by hhiipp

Apparently your opinion only matters if you are on a scholarship.

Actually I think the implication is the opposite.

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by hhiipp

Apparently your opinion only matters if you are on a scholarship.

I read it as 'find out if the wanker has a scholarship so we can threaten to yank it if he doesn't publicly apologize'.

Or use it as a counteragrument like, 'how dare you make claims against the university when you haven't forked out a cent of your own money to come here'.

[CraigSca]

I think counterargument is most likely...in the original email he states he spent $132,000 in tuition. If the kid is on full scholarship, then the Pres is more likely to tell him, "You get what you pay for."

Frankly, at commencement the best thing you can get is a flippin' degree. Take his diploma away and instead give him a 8x10 glossy of Da Ali G.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by moriarty

I read it as 'find out if the wanker has a scholarship so we can threaten to yank it if he doesn't publicly apologize'.

I'd say that's a pretty darned good guess.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Except if he's a senior, he's already paid up. They would have to be yanking it retroactively, I don't know if that can be done.

[Ksyrup]

You've never yanked it to someone you saw the previous day?

[SoccerSux]

Am I the only one who thinks the initial e-mail sent to the President was completely ridiculous and poorly thought out?

Seriously, what a sense of entitlement you have. Get ready for the real world, son.

[heybrad]

Originally Posted by SoccerSux

Am I the only one who thinks the initial e-mail sent to the President was completely ridiculous and poorly thought out?

Seriously, what a sense of entitlement you have. Get ready for the real world, son.

My first thought was... All that because you didnt get Ali G?

[SoccerSux]

The more I reread that initial e-mail the more I just shake my head and wonder where on Earth you get that sense of self-importance and entitlement.

I can't even count the number of petty "digs" you include, which just goes to show that $130,000 can buy a whole lotta classes, but very little class.

[CamEdwards]

We have spent four long, tiring years at this school, paid over $130,000in tuition fees, and have endured countless wastes of our money and time, I feel that the least that the administration can do is reward us for this.

You spent that time and money for an education, you nitwit.

God, what a whiny bitch. I feel sorry for whoever has to work with this asshat when he joins the real world.

[SoccerSux]

I love Cam

(not in the homo way though, most likely)

[CamEdwards]

Originally Posted by SoccerSux

I love Cam

(not in the homo way though, most likely)

most likely? what, you've got a thing against bald men?

[SoccerSux]

I love how he sat idly by while watching his tuition pay for a new ice-rink, and then sat on his hands as his favorite teacher was fired "for not having tenure" (which is kind of like saying He died because he stopped living). This graduating senior also said nothing when he felt his social "rights" were being violated.

But when his favorite comedian wasn't selected to be the commencement speaker, it was time to take a stand! Unlike those other minor issues, this one "actually has an impact on its students."

I'm dying over here. Not dying laughing, more like dying of extreme shaking-head-sadly-ness.

[Ksyrup]

That sounds an awful lot like dying from being beaten with a whiffle ball bat.

[Cuckoo]

Hmm... no offense to the topic starter, and I certainly wouldn't have put it quite as harshly, but I had many of the same thoughts as those who have responded. Of all the things to write a letter about...

[cody8200]

You guys are kind of being dicks about this. Its his opinion, he can write what he thinks. However, although I don'ty really agree ith his argument. You really only get as much worth out of college as you put in. He is at a private school so poissbily they usually have good commencement speakers??? I'm at IU. My commencement speaker this year will be...the president of my university. Oooooh, so enthralling. I dont think anyone saw that and was happy or proud, but they probably didn't really care that much as well.

[SoccerSux]

Sometimes people need to be confronted with their own idiocy.

Think of this as an intervention, except we're not trying to help. We're just being mean.

[rkmsuf]

Maybe Ali G wrote it.

[SoccerSux]

Originally Posted by cody8200

You guys are kind of being dicks about this. Its his opinion, he can write what he thinks. However, although I don'ty really agree ith his argument. You really only get as much worth out of college as you put in. He is at a private school so poissbily they usually have good commencement speakers??? I'm at IU. My commencement speaker this year will be...the president of my university. Oooooh, so enthralling. I dont think anyone saw that and was happy or proud, but they probably didn't really care that much as well.

I think it's just the fact that the poster clearly felt as though by posting this e-mail exchange he would make the President look like an idiot, but in actuality he's the one who appears that way.


To me at least.

[SoccerSux]

What really strikes me is how public he made this whole thing. You would think at some point, SOMEONE along the way would have pulled him aside and said, "You know, maybe you shouldn't draw this much attention to it. It's making you look really bad."

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by SoccerSux

Sometimes people need to be confronted with their own idiocy.

OK, then, Mr. Pseudonym-Of-The-Day, I am confronting you with your own idiocy. It is stupid to continue posting at a message board where you are not welcome. Once again, buh-bye, this time by your IP address.

[Ksyrup]

Who was that? Soccer really does suck, you know.

[MacroGuru]

Originally Posted by SkyDog

OK, then, Mr. Pseudonym-Of-The-Day, I am confronting you with your own idiocy. It is stupid to continue posting at a message board where you are not welcome. Once again, buh-bye, this time by your IP address.

Damn!

He just got punk'd

[timmynausea]

My understanding is that he didn't make anything public until the "scholarship" email. Just writing a letter to point out a bunch of stuff that had sucked isn't that big of a deal, although I agree that it seems ridiculous to make the Ali G thing seem like the biggest deal.

[moriarty]

Originally Posted by timmynausea

My understanding is that he didn't make anything public until the "scholarship" email. Just writing a letter to point out a bunch of stuff that had sucked isn't that big of a deal, although I agree that it seems ridiculous to make the Ali G thing seem like the biggest deal.

Yeah, and let's face it, he is only 21 or so .... so I'm suprised he wasn't asking for Pamela Anderson.

Still, his statements in the accompanying news paper article seemed level headed.

[CamEdwards]

damn, banned before i could find out who my secret admirer is. Gimme a hint, SD... does his name rhyme with shmig-pasty?

[Ben E Lou]

Originally Posted by CamEdwards

damn, banned before i could find out who my secret admirer is. Gimme a hint, SD... does his name rhyme with shmig-pasty?

I'm fairly sure that it rhymes with pig shifty.

[korme]

fucking moron

[digamma]

Not that anyone cares, but Harvard didn't have Ali G, Will Ferrell and Bono speak at commencement. They spoke at Class Day, which happens during commencement week, but is a separate event where the senior class picks a speaker for its own event. No honorary degrees are bestowed upon those speakers. The speaker for the commencement day address is selected by the university and is given an honorary degree. Last year Kofi Annan spoke, the year before was Ernesto Zedillo (former president of Mexico, and the year before that was Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

The kid could at least check his facts.

[Loki]

Let's shun him like the Amish!

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by digamma

The kid could at least check his facts.

He's a journalism major.