History--Biography
“Be Realistic…Demand the Impossible: Brandeis Student
Activism 1948-2000” was an exhibit presented at the Robert D.
Farber University Archives from February through May, 2000. The exhibit
was produced in coordination with a mini-conference entitled
“Student Protests 1969-1970: Brandeis and America” which took
place April 12, 2000 in Rapaporte Treasure Hall. The conference and
exhibit were both organized by archives staff.
The exhibit featured photographs, newspaper articles, and videotape
highlighting examples of student activism both on and off-campus dating
back to the University’s founding. Topics ranged from global issues
such as nuclear disarmament and world hunger to Brandeis- specific issues
such as university administration, racism and daily campus life.
The conference included panel discussions on the Ford Hall occupation
(1969) and the National Strike Information Center (1970), as well as two
special lectures on the national arena in 1969-70. Panelists included
alumni and faculty who participated in the Ford Hall occupation or worked
with the National Strike Information Center. Both guest speakers were
professors emeritis from local universities.
Scope and
Contents
Files in this collection were created from 1951-2000. Materials include
newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence, videotape and
handwritten notes. Subjects covered by the files include civil rights,
the Vietnam War, apartheid in South Africa, and others. Many of these
materials were not used in the final exhibit, but provide rich
information on the history of student activism at Brandeis.
Series
Exhibit and Conference Planning Materials (box 1, map drawer 1)
Exhibit Subject Files (box 1)
Conference Photographs (box 1)
National Student Strike Center Subject Files (box 1)
Series Summary
Exhibit and Conference Planning Materials
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Inclusive Dates: 1998-2000, n.d.
This series contains background research and marketing materials for
the exhibit and conference, as well as opening remarks made at the
conference and one video of student interviews.
Exhibit Subject Files
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Inclusive Dates: 1951-1999, n.d.
This series contains newspaper articles (from The Justice, the Boston
Globe, the Boston Herald Traveler, the Boston Evening Post, and the
Record American) and university photographs about student activism on a
wide range of topics such as nuclear disarmament, racism, world hunger,
human rights, university administration and campus life. These materials
provided background research for the final exhibit.
Conference Photographs
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Inclusive Dates: 2000
This series contains photographs of conference panelists, attendees
(including alumni and students) and organizers.
National Student Strike Center Subject Files
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Inclusive Dates: 1970
This series was not included in the exhibit. It contains letters and
announcements by the administration detailing academic and
administrative policies, newspaper articles about activities at Brandeis
and around the nation, publications by student organizations, and
correspondence regarding the commencement exercises.
Folder List
Exhibit and Conference Planning Materials
Box 1
"Activism at Brandeis" by Albert S. Axelrad, 1998
Brandeis alumni active in social and political causes, n.d.
"Brandeis University and Social Responsibility" by Gordon Fellman, 2000
Conference opening remarks, 2000
Exhibit and conference background research, 1998-2000
Exhibit and conference marketing materials, 2000
Exhibit introduction, 2000
Map Drawer 1
Exhibit poster, 2000
Box 1
Student activism interviews [videotape], 2000
Exhibit Subject Files
Box 1
African-American community, 1954-1999
Apartheid/Divestment, 1956-1987, n.d.
Asian community, 1968-1997
Brandeis Leftist League, 1999
Central America, 1981-1990
Central Intelligence Agency, 1962-1967
Charity Week/Auction, 1952-1962, n.d.
Civil Rights, 1963-1964
Columbine High School shooting, 1999
Community service, 1995-1999
Contract with America, 1995
Cuba, 1961
Disabilities awareness, 1979-1998
Draft reinstatement, 1979-1984
Environmental issues, 1969-1999
Ethiopian Jews, 1980-1990
Ford Hall, 1969-1999 [2 folders]
Gulf War, 1990-1991
Holocaust denial/revisionist history, 1993
Human rights, 1983-1997
Hungary aid, 1956-1957
Hurricane victims, 1992
Iran, 1979
Israel, 1952-1995
King, Rodney, 1992
Kirkpatrick, Jeane - Declines degree, 1994
Kosovo, 1999
Latino/Hispanic community, 1971-1998
Liddy, G. Gordon, 1982
Multiculturalism, 1992
National Defense Education Act, 1959-1963
National Strike Information Center and student strike, 1970-1995
Nuclear disarmament, 1958-1987
Peace, 1984-1991
Perspectives on activism and apathy at Brandeis, 1952-1999
Presidential election (Stevenson v. Eisenhower), 1952
Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), 1974-1975
Race, racism and race relations, 1960-1992
Sexuality, 1957-1998
Somalia, 1993
Soviet Jewry, 1971-1988, n.d.
Student life, 1951-1994
Three chapels, 1953, n.d.
Tianenmen Square/Tong, Shen, 1989-1992
Tibetan religious liberation, 1998
Transitional Year Program (TYP), 1970-1981
United Jewish Appeal, 1978-1988
University administration, 1961-1999
Vietnam War, 1959-1973
Waltham Group, 1967-1995, n.d.
Women's issues, 1971-1998
World hunger, 1971-1998
Conference Photographs
Box 1
Aikens, Alexander III; Alumni, 2000
Antler, Joyce; Axelrad, Albert S.; Cohen, Jacob; Eisenberg, Charles; Fellman, Gordon A., 2000
Fuchs, Lawrence H.; Glazer, Nathan, 2000
Kamara, Makeda Millet; Lange, Robert V.; Long, Lisa, 2000
Panels, Reception, 2000
Participants of Ford Hall occupation, 2000
Redd, Hon. Edward; Squire, David; Student activists, 2000
Williams, Thompson F., Jr.; Zinn, Howard, 2000
National Student Strike Center Subject Files
Box 1
Administration and Faculty Correspondence and Announcements, 1970
Commencement, 1970
Newspaper Articles, 1970
Student Organizations, 1970
Notes
For addidtional issues of the Strike Newsletter, please see the Gordon Fellman Papers:
http://lts.brandeis.edu/research/archives-speccoll/findingguides/archives/faculty/fellman.html.