As students at Brandeis University, we pride ourselves on our school’s commitment to social and environmental justice and sustainability. That is why we were disappointed to learn that Brandeis uses synthetic chemicals, some of which are known or probable carcinogens, in our landscaping. To improve the health and safety of Brandeis grounds for students, groundskeepers, faculty, and the larger Waltham community, we are calling for an end to the use of synthetic herbicides on campus. The spraying of toxic herbicides, primarily for aesthetic purposes, unnecessarily exposes Brandeis students, faculty, and staff to chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental harm, endocrine disruption, kidney damage, and more. Many of these chemicals are also harmful to wildlife, plants, pollinators, and natural ecosystems.

We, the members of Herbicide-Free Brandeis, are calling on you, President Liebowitz and the Board of Trustees to prioritize the health and wellbeing of Brandeis community members. We need to join fellow R1 institutions (Harvard University, Yale University, University of Colorado Boulder, the entire UC system, and more) in eliminating the use of toxic, synthetic herbicides and transitioning to organic land care.