Ben Kaufman
Baltimore
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Articles by Ben Kaufman
Point/Counterpoint: Sidechat
In a digital age where friends can be reached instantaneously, social media allows us to share our thoughts for the entire world to see. At Harvard, these thoughts often make it over to Sidechat—a college-specific app that allows users to access and upload posts reflecting what’s on fellow undergrads’ minds. With some posts getting upwards of 1,000 upvotes, Sidechat’s broad reach within the student body is undisputed.
A Controversial Future Looking at Harvard’s Complicated Past
BY: BEN KAUFMAN ’28 More focus than ever is being cast on Harvard’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives as universities across the country, such as Columbia and Johns Hopkins, face crackdowns due to external government pressure. So, when Harvard itself all 12 internal members of the Harvard Slavery Remembrance Program this past January, many were surprised and outspoken with disapproval.
Putting a Cap on Time Caps
BY: BEN KAUFMAN ’28 A university as expansive as Harvard requires thousands of teaching staff to preserve its academic reputation of integrity and curiosity. Though they are known by various names—professors, senior lecturers, preceptors, and College fellows—each faculty member’s mission is to educate.
Privacy x AI Guidance is Here: How Developers and Deployers can Minimise Privacy Risks
Everyday, more and more Australian businesses are adopting artificial intelligence into their operations. According to a recent CSIRO report, 68% of Australian companies have already integrated AI into their business, with another 23% planning to do so within the next year. As is often the case, our technology advances rapidly, leaving the law to play catch-up. In August, the European Union gave us a taste of what AI regulation might look like with the EU AI Act, which you can read more about here.
One small step for privacy: everything you need to know about Australia’s privacy bill
After years of proposals, reports and a seemingly endless stream of umming and ahhing from the government of the day, privacy reform is on our doorstep. In early September of this year, Parliament published the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024. The Bill sets out some modest changes to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), introduces a new statutory tort for serious invasions to privacy, and will make doxxing a criminal offence.
Navigating the new EU AI Act: What Australian businesses should know
The EU AI Act, which came into force in August 2024, is the first legal framework of its kind. It regulates the development, deployment and use of AI systems by placing obligations on ‘providers’ (i.e., those who develop AI systems), ‘deployers’ (i.e., those who use such systems in the EU), ‘importers’ and ‘distributors’.
Impact Statement: Vol.5 2023
Marque Lawyers acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land where this publication was developed. IMPACT STATEMENT Law, done differently. Vol.5 2023 Marque Lawyers acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land where this publication was developed. We recognise their continuing connection to land, skies and seas and thank them for protecting this coastline and its ecosystems since time immemorial.
Privacy reform is coming - this time it’s personal (information)
Privacy reform is on the horizon. After years of consultation, the government has “agreed” or “agreed in-principle” to many of the 116 recommendations in the Privacy Act Review Report. Its response sets Australia on a path toward the gold standard set by the EU’s Global Data Protection Regulations. A wider net One big-ticket item is the removal of the “small business exemption”. Currently, only businesses with an annual turnover of over $3 million are subject to the Privacy Act.
On Juneteenth, Student Debt Cancellation is Part of the Unfinished Promise of Emancipation
By Kat Welbeck and Mark Huelsman | June 22, 2023 It’s fitting that, this Juneteenth, we’re awaiting two of the most consequential court decisions for Black economic well-being in recent memory.
An Obscure Federal Publication Should Have Predatory Student Finance Companies Shaking in their Boots
By Ben Kaufman | June 7, 2023 Last month, the White House’s Office of Federal Financial Management (OFFM) released its annual Compliance Supplement. OFFM is the part of the White House that aims to make sure federal dollars are being spent in compliance with the law, and its yearly Compliance Supplement summarizes the things that auditors should be looking out for when examining government outlays.
New Investigation Exposes Years-Long Scheme by Private College and Failed Coding Bootcamp to Dupe Regulators and Push Predatory Loans on Low-Income Students - Student Borrower Protection Center
Newly Public Records Show Every Safeguard Failed Students Who Trusted False Promises by Dominican University and Make School; Watchdog Calls on Education Secretary to Wake Up to Schemes by Schools and For-Profit Partners March 20, 2023 | WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Student Borrower Protection Center (SBPC) released a scathing new report exposing a back-room deal between the failed for-profit coding bootcamp Make School, Inc.
Virginia’s Leading Work to Expose Institutional Debts Reveals Massive, Disparately Distributed Burdens
By Winston Berkman-Breen and Ben Kaufman | Marc 9, 2023 When Americans think about student debt, they are likely to imagine either federal student loans that are owed to the U.S. Department of Education or private student loans usually owed to a bank or credit union. But students can also end up in debt directly to their school via so-called “institutional debts” that arise when they have an unpaid bill or balance.
Boys basketball heads to state as 5-seed after OT thriller
Ben Kaufman, Sports J Writer The Westside boys basketball team is headed to the state tournament for the second year in a row. The Warriors beat Lincoln High 83-76 in an overtime thriller in the A-6 District finals to send them to the tournament. The Warriors were led by senior Tate Odvody, who put up a season-high 31 points. Odvody sealed the game in overtime with four free throws in the final minute. “It’s a new game, it’s 0-0,” Odvody said. ”We’ve gotta start over.
New Research Underscores How Federal Action Protected Student Loan Borrowers During COVID-and What’s at Stake as the Supreme Court Considers Cancellation - Student Borrower Protection Center
By Dalié Jiménez, Jonathan Glater, and Sultana Fouzia | March 6, 2023 When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in early 2020, policymakers in Washington responded in part by pausing payments on federal student loans. This move—which was extended during both the Trump and Biden Administrations—offered borrowers across the country badly-needed breathing room in the context of a once-in-a-generation public health catastrophe.
BOBWHITES BREAK DROUGHT DRAMATICALLY -
By Ben Kaufman County Mail ST. ALBANS — Ahead of heading to UVM Patrick Gym for the Division I final four for the first time since 1996, the longest drought among current DI teams, the heart kids of BFA-St. Albans gave his home fans one last heart attack on Friday night.
To Protect Student Loan Borrowers, the FDIC Must Double Down on its Newfound Effort to Weed Out Predatory Rent-A-Bank Schemes
By Ben Kaufman | February 23, 2023 Early this month, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) decreased the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rating of Utah’s Transportation Alliance Bank (TAB Bank) to “needs to improve.” CRA is a 1977 anti-redlining statute that subjects banks’ lending practices to extra government oversight, and the FDIC’s move against TAB meant that the agency viewed the bank’s conduct as falling short of expectations under the law.
Westside bowling teams head to state after winning District titles
Ben Kaufman, Sports J Writer The Westside girls and boys bowling teams are headed to the State Championships. The Warriors won the A-2 District titles on Monday, Jan. 30 at Maplewood Lanes. Westside also had two District champions this year, with junior Reed Elias and senior Leia Osmera. The success started for the Warriors in the Baker round, where they were all playing as a team together. “Bakers were electric,” Elias said.
Coach Simons wins 100th game of his career
Ben Kaufman, Sports J Writer Boys basketball head coach Jim Simons has reached a milestone with his 100th career victory. The Warriors defeated Millard North 69-52 on Saturday, Jan. 7 to give Simons his 100th win. The Westside coach has compiled a record of 100-39 in his fifth season on the sidelines. Simons graduated from Westside in 1996 and returned after college to become a teacher, where he has been on the staff for the past 22 years. “It’s a place that has great meaning to me,” Simons said.
Westside’s Odvody reaches 1,000 point milestone
Ben Kaufman, Sports J Writer Westside’s Tate Odvody reached a milestone on the basketball court last weekend. The senior surpassed the 1,000 point mark with 13 points against Bellevue East on Friday, Jan 6. Then the Warrior shooting guard put up a season high 24 points against No. 5 Millard North on Saturday, Jan. 7. Odvody knew he had to focus on the matchup with the defending state champs, after reaching 1,000 points in his high school career.
Uncovered Documents Expose the Government’s Stunning Failure to Control its Student Loan Collection Machine During the COVID-19 Pandemic
New Evidence Shows the Department of Education Has Even Less Power than Previously Known to Shut Off Runaway Wage Garnishment; Advocates Demand the Government Not Throw Borrowers Back into a Broken System December 15, 2022 | WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Student Borrower Protection Center (SBPC) published the results of an investigation that lays bare the federal government’s harmful failure to manage its student debt collection apparatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Westside boys basketball ready to tip-off season
Ben Kaufman, Sports J Writer The Westside varsity boys basketball team has high expectations for this season, after finishing with a 24-3 record and a number 3 overall ranking from the Omaha World-Herald. The Warriors tied the school record for the most wins in a season with 24 and won the Metro Holiday Tournament. Tryouts for the varsity, junior varsity, and freshman teams started on Monday, Nov. 14 with 80 players.
New Analysis Illustrates Massive Benefits of Student Debt Cancellation Across Borrowers’ Lives
Survey Results Show Approaching—and in Particular Achieving—PSLF Boosts Financial, Behavioral, and Psychological Well-Being; Research Underscores the Need for Immediate Action to Ensure Reliable Paths to Debt Relief November 22, 2022 | WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, a team of researchers at the University of Memphis and the University of Michigan released the results of a groundbreaking analysis revealing the massive personal benefits that student loan borrowers enjoy as they approach and, in...
Westside volleyball headed back to state
Ben Kaufman, Sports J Writer The Westside volleyball team is headed back to the state tournament for the second year in a row. The victory comes off a sweep over Grand Island to win the A-4 District championship on Wednesday, Oct. 26. The Warriors dominated the match 25-12, 25-16 and 25-12. Westside head coach Korrine Bowers was impressed with her team’s performance. “We were scouting Grand Island and the girls were relaxed, free, and having fun,” Bowers said.
All-Stater Ndam-Simpson leads Westside volleyball
Ben Kaufman, Sports J Writer The Westside volleyball team has entered their postseason, and with that comes a lot of high hopes. The Warriors are the number one seed in the A-4 District and that means a lot for a team that has battled injuries all year. But one key player is helping the Warriors meet those high expectations. All-State outside hitter Destiny Ndam-Simpson is hoping to end her senior year on a high note. “We play a lot of games coming up,” Ndam-Simpson said.
Laird has special senior volleyball season
Ben Kaufman, Sports J Writer The Westside volleyball team is full of talent on both sides of the ball, but one player has been standing out throughout this season. Outside hitter Samantha Laird ranks sixth in Class A in hitting percentage, and plays well above the national average in kills. Laird’s improvement during the offseason has been a big step for her, but it hasn’t all been on the court.
Volleyball team optimistic heading into Papio Invitational
Ben Kaufman, Sports J Writer The Westside volleyball team lost in a close game to Papio-LaVista South on Tuesday, Sept. 20. Heading out of that game and into the Papio Invitational, there are many ways the team looks to improve. “It was really close,” assistant coach Krista Filipi said of the game. “We need to improve a little bit on our blocking and defense.
OPM Contracts Reveal Risks for Students and Universities
By Laura Hamilton and Christian Michael Smith | July 19, 2022 It has become increasingly common for public and private non-profit universities to contract out some portion of their online services to so-called “online program managers,” or OPMs. OPMs are private, for-profit companies that provide a broad range of services that may include instructional design, marketing, student recruitment, curricular provision, operational services, technological platforms, and more.
Westside boys golf finishes season a stroke away from championship title
The Westside boys golf team finished as the runner-up in the Class A State Championship at the Norfolk Country Club on Wed., May 25. The Warriors ended up one stroke behind the State Champion Lincoln East.The Spartans finished with a two-day total of 596 (+20 over par), compared to 597 (+21 over par) for Westside. Westside head golf coach Brett Froendt watched his team start the final round with a two-stroke lead, but the Warriors could not hold on. “I’m proud of them.
Boys golf sinks second place finish at metro tournament
The Westside boys golf team finished as the runner-up in the Metro Conference golf tournament at Benson Park on Wed. May 11. The Warriors finished with a score of 303, seven points behind the team champion Creighton Prep. Westside head coach Brett Froendt watched his team battle strong winds all day. “We didn’t play our best golf today,” Froendt said. “ We were down 3 strokes on the turn, and Prep gained 4 more on the back.
Andy Rider Adds Coach of the Year to Resume in Just Third Year as Assistant Swimming Coach at Westside
Metro Coach of The Year is an impressive honor in any sport, but for an assistant coach to win it is rare. For Westside assistant swimming coach, Andy Rider, it came out of nowhere. “I was super surprised,” Rider said. “Nate Germonprez won the athlete of the meet. I was giving him his award, and I was walking off, and then they said my name. At first I didn’t really realize that but I kind of figured out what was going on.
Deters Scandal? What Deters Scandal?
Cincinnati news judgment long has been distorted by parochialism; Cincinnati is the center of the Ohio universe and Columbus, let alone Cleveland, is a lesser world. Life exists in those distant places but rarely is worth exploring. That might explain why The Post and The Enquirer devote so little effort to crime in and around Joe Deters' office as state treasurer. Local TV hardly is in the game; hurricanes get better live coverage.
Nate Germonprez Breaks State Record in Dominant Weekend for Westside Swimming
Ben Kaufman and Amir Rasulov|February 2, 2022 Martin Mormino Westside swimming is getting hot at the right time winning three consecutive dual meets and sweeping the Warrior Invite. – Photo by Marty Mormino The Westside swim team blew their competition out of the water this weekend at the Westside Invite. Several records were broken as Westside put up a final boys score of 572 points to Elkhorn’s 485.5 and Kearney’s 378. The girls team put up a final score of 636 to Marian’s 410, and Elkhorn’s 300.
Westside Swimming Continues to Impress in Back Half of Season
Ben Kaufman and Amir Rasulov|January 26, 2022 Mary Nilius Warriors hope to add onto their resume as the season slowly comes to its climactic ending – Photo by Mary Nilius The Westside boys and girls swim teams are off to a strong start in 2022. After returning from winter break, the Warriors have gone 3-0 in their dual meets against Omaha Central, Gretna and Papio. Westside has completed those wins in dominant fashion, winning all three with a margin over 60 team points in their events.
Opinion: The Bay Bridge needs a climate-friendly makeover and it needs one now
California is known around the world as a leader in the fight against climate change. The state has an ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels. Unfortunately, we’re on a trajectory to fall far short of this goal by the 2030 deadline unless we make bold and immediate changes. A recent report by California State Auditor Elaine Howle specifically points to transportation-related emissions as the problem.
Specter Wallet Releases Version 1.3.0
This week, Specter Wallet, an open-source bitcoin wallet that emphasizes privacy and security by allowing users to more easily run their own full nodes, released its latest version (you can download it here). The biggest feature of this latest release is the new setup process, which makes it possible to go from zero to a ready-to-go Specter setup with Bitcoin Core and Tor in just a few minutes.
Taproot Activation And The LOT Debate
As Taproot, the latest consensus protocol change, approaches activation, Bitcoin developers are asking how exactly the network should be upgraded. You’ve probably already heard about Taproot, the new proposed soft-fork upgrade for Bitcoin, which will introduce a new signing algorithm and an enhanced, more private and flexible scripting mechanism. Now, while Taproot has been discussed for a long time, and its code has already been merged to Bitcoin Core, the actual upgrade has not yet taken place.
Taproot Activation And The LOT Debate
You’ve probably already heard about Taproot, the new proposed soft-fork upgrade for Bitcoin, which will introduce a new signing algorithm and an enhanced, more private and flexible scripting mechanism. Now, while Taproot has been discussed for a long time, and its code has already been merged to Bitcoin Core, the actual upgrade has not yet taken place. That is, the changes were not yet activated and enforced by the network. The biggest question still left is how to coordinate the activation.
In the Fast Lane | East Bay Express
As the East Bay awaits a vaccine for the Covid-19 pandemic, efficient public transit is more urgent than ever. Many East Bay residents rely on public buses to get to their essential jobs, doctor's appointments and grocery stores. They need fast, frequent, reliable and affordable service. At the same time, the pandemic has depressed transit ridership and increased car ownership, exacerbating congestion and delaying already slow bus service.
Bitcoin Donation Portal
This website lists people working on Bitcoin and related projects. The goal is to increase the visibility of contributors to the space that are accepting donations. If you are currently working on a bitcoin related open source project, submit a PR to get yourself added. Being listed on this site should not be considered an endorsement. The order individuals are shown is randomized every visit.
Opinion: Few regrets with volunteering for COVID-19 vaccine trial
Ben L. Kaufman Even before the novel virus was named COVID-19, I knew visceral fear: it would kill me. I knew pandemics, as a child, when polio swept my generation. It was called Infantile Paralysis. There was no polio vaccine or cure; only precautions, painful physical therapy and hope. Twisted limbs and kids in iron lungs were common images. I remember my pediatrician father’s rules: avoid strangers, don’t leave the block.
New Transbay Crossing: Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Bike and Pedestrian Path Opens in California
Posted 11/18/19 by Ben Kaufman, Mary Elise Conzelmann in Building Trails Bicyclists gathered outside of the Richmond BART Station on Nov. 16, 2019, to ride together to the opening of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bike and pedestrian path | Photo courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Photo courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy On Nov.
Keynesian Errors on Time and Demand
The foundations for the prominent economic theory supporting leading policies worldwide for the last few decades was laid down by the mathematician John Maynard Keynes. The ideas he pushed and promoted during his lifetime are still common among academics and policymakers, and his theory is almost exclusively the one used for economic education. However, as was pointed out many times before, the theory he presented, when logically scrutinized, appears to be flawed in many aspects¹.
Developing Future Pediatric Audiology Leaders: The LEND ExperienceThe nationwide LEND Program prepares audiologists to treat children with both hearing loss and autism or other developmental disabilities. | ASHA News Leader | ASHA Publications
When Regina Escano began her graduate studies in audiology at the University of Washington-Seattle (UW), she didn’t realize how many children with congenital hearing loss had complex challenges related to multiple disabilities. “Prior to my LEND training I had limited exposure to the world of special needs and was surprised to learn that children with developmental disabilities are an underserved population for hearing care,” says Escano.
SF-Marin Food Bank
Our group had a chance to visit the SF-Marin Food Bank on Tuesday evening. The food bank is always a great and rewarding option for volunteering, not only are there multiple sessions available daily, but you are able to immediately quantify the impact you are making for those less fortunate in the community.
What a Hillary win means for some women.
I was nearing the front of the 5-block queue at my polling place in New York’s Upper West Side neighborhood when I noticed them: an older black couple, their arms locked, waiting a few spots up from me. He was wearing a full suit with an American-flag tie, she was wearing an American-flag silk scarf and was wiping tears from her eyes. Glancing around, clearly embarrassed, she giggled when she looked at me. “Sorry, I’m a mess!” she said.
SF-Marin Food Bank - SAP Blogs
Our group had a chance to visit the SF-Marin Food Bank on Tuesday evening. The food bank is always a great and rewarding option for volunteering, not only are there multiple sessions available daily, but you are able to immediately quantify the impact you are making for those less fortunate in the community.
Black & White Zambia
In response to: Colossal Corruption in Africa from the December 4, 2014 issue Central Press/Getty Images Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother receiving flowers from local twin girls during a visit to Northern Rhodesia’s copper belt, 1957 To the Editors: I’m troubled by Helen Epstein’s characterization of white/black relations in Zambia on the eve of independence in 1964 [“Colossal Corruption in Africa,” NYR, December 4, 2014].
Remembering James Golick
The outpouring of love for James on Social Media has been fitting. He was a leader of so many communities. He was kind. He was brilliant. Above all, he gave a damn. While I would have loved to condense the impact James had on me and my family into a tweet or three, I couldn’t. My relationship with James in began 2006 or so. I was working at mophie making mundane iPod condoms up in Vermont and had the crazy idea of using the internet to help people bring their product ideas to life.
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