Academic Advising · Pre-Health Advising · Peer Academic Support

· Myra Kraft Achievers Program · Student Support Services Program · Upward Bound ·

BUGS Tutors · Gen One Network · MLK Jr. Fellowship · POSSE · Roosevelt Fellows

Hello Academic , here's the latest from

our department!

Be Confident & Prepared Entering the Final Stretch

We have arrived at the final weeks of the semester. While some of you have calculated its arrival others might be wondering "how did we get here?" Either way, we want you to enter into this time as confident and prepared as possible. This edition of our e-news highlights the many activities and places on campus that will be promoting wellness, preparedness, and self-care at a most critical time in the semester.


We asked our student workers for some tips on preparing for final exams. Here is what they said:


1. Pace yourself and take breaks.

2. Find a quiet space on campus such as the library, BUGS Tutoring Lounge, or SCC.

3. Practice self-care: get sleep, drink water, eat, and shower.

4. Utilize institutional resources; BUGS and Accountability Hours.

5. Form Study Groups.


Academic Services also recently put together a fillable finals planner and is an option when planning "backwards" on assignment/study planning from deadlines and exam dates. This can be really helpful for students who are struggling to map out their study and work time for these remaining weeks. 


Good luck finishing up the semester- we are rooting for you! And, congratulations to those finishing their degrees this semester. Your hard work and determination should be celebrated!

Quick Web Links


Academic Services


20-Minute Appointment Calendar


BUGS


Community Therapy Appointments



Roosevelt Fellows


University Bulletin


University Registrar

Facebook
Instagram

Academic Services can be reached via email 

acserv@brandeis.edu

or

via phone 

781.736.3470

Important Academic Dates & Resources

Tuesday, Dec 10:

  • Last day of instruction. Last day to voluntarily withdraw from the term (written notification required).
  • Brandeis Friday: Friday class schedule in effect.


Wednesday, Dec 11:

  • Study Day.


Thursday, Dec 12 - Friday, Dec 20:

  • Final examination period.


Tuesday, Dec 24:

  • Fall term grades due.


Monday, Jan 6, 2025:

  • Last day for graduating seniors to concert current term pass/fail enrollments to a "P."


Learn how to subscribe to the "Brandeis Academic Calendar" on your google calendar.



Access the full Fall 2024 academic calendar on the Registrar's website.

Excused Incomplete and Excused Absence Option

If you find yourself unable to complete a final assignment or exam by their due date, you may submit a request for an incomplete. This request will be sent to your instructor, asking for an excused incomplete/EI (for final papers and assignments) or an excused absence/EA (final exam to be proctored by your instructor or the Registrar's Office). Your instructor will review your request and, if approved, will establish new due dates. Incomplete assignments are due by January 28, or at an earlier date determined by your instructor. Final exams may be proctored by the instructor or proctored by the Registrar's Office in January. Please be in touch with your academic advisor or acserv@brandeis.edu if you have any questions about the incomplete request process.


Waitlisted?

If a class is full, students have the option of adding their names to a waitlist. Being on a waitlist does not automatically enroll you in the course nor guarantee you a consent code.

At the end of the registration period, waitlists are reviewed by departments and administrators to determine if additional sections can be mounted or if the numeric limit on a course should be adjusted.

Please note that:

  • Once a class is closed, you cannot register for the class, but you may place yourself on the waitlist.
  • Being on the waitlist does not count against your maximum credit limit. You may place your name on multiple waitlists.
  • Being on the waitlist does not automatically enroll you in the class should a seat become available. You will be contacted if the department approves you to move off of the waitlist and into the class.
  • Waitlists are reviewed by departments and cleared about four weeks after the registration period ends. If your name is not selected for enrollment from the early registration demand list, you will remain on the waitlist during the next registration period unless you remove yourself from the waitlist.

In the meantime, you should consider back-up plans in case you are not able to get a seat in the course. Our advisors are here to help with course selection and planning.

Academic Services Unit Updates

Academic Services Welcomes Two New Staff Members!

Shelby joined the Academic Services team in 2024 as the assistant director for Pre-Health Advising. She comes to Brandeis from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where she was an academic coach to undergraduate students pursuing careers in healthcare. She holds a Master’s degree in education from Salem State University and received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Worcester State University. She is excited to work with all pre-health students, especially those in their first-year and sophomore year, to ensure they have the tools and support needed to pursue their goals.


Shelby grew up in central Massachusetts and enjoys exploring New England, especially parks and beaches. She is an advocate for mental health awareness and is happy to be a new member of the Brandeis community.

Aprilis Diaz has been named the new Director of the Myra Kraft Achievers Program (MKAP).  She brings with her a wealth of relevant experience and achievement in higher education. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in BS in Mass Communication/Advertising from Boston University and a Master of Divinity in Urban Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Throughout her career as an educator, Aprilis has demonstrated her leadership through program development, classroom instruction, and cross-constituent collaboration, and she has maintained a consistent focus on supporting marginalized and underrepresented students. Her most recent position was Executive Director of the Center for Student Enrichment and Director of Calling and Career at Eastern Nazarene College.

Meet with a BUGS Tutor for Finals Season


BUGS tutors will be available for tutoring help during the finals period. Tutors can assist you with exam preparation and review as you work to finish your courses. Some tutors will be holding review sessions and others will be available for individual tutoring sessions. View the flyer for review sessions, for all other tutors, view the BUGS website to book an appointment. 


First-Year Students: Spring HWL for Foundations for Academic Success

Calling all first-year students! 

Consider fulfilling one of your HWL requirements this spring with HWL 58: Foundations for Academic Success.


The course is designed to help strengthen college-level study strategies, and assignments are intended to help you with your other classes! Topics include note-taking, communication with faculty and combatting procrastination.


Questions? Contact Julia Mani, Director of Peer Academic Support (jmani@brandeis.edu)

Stressbuster Alert: Pretzels & Puzzles


Relax and work on some puzzles with us in the Academic Services/ Student Financial Services Office main lobby throughout the week. Enjoy some pretzels too! Sponsored by Academic Services, Student Financial Services, and Student Accessibility Support 


11-3pm daily in the Usdan East 130 (the Academic Services and Student Financial Services Main Lobby).




A dark blue purple background with a trail of red and green polka dots near the bottom of the page. There is a cartoon image of two students sitting at a table with a stack of books between them. Each student is reading a book.

Utilize Evening Assignment Accountability Hours Through Finals

Assignment Accountability Hours are just like your favorite class in high school, study hall! It is a quiet space for you to come by in person at any point to be around other individuals who are striving to get work accomplished. Did you know you are more likely to get your work done if you leave your bedroom/comfort space? During this time you can also chat with a SAS Fellow or BUGS Study Skills Tutor who monitors this space for study tips, organizational help, etc.! Free snacks are provided. Final Fall 2024 Hours: 

Tuesdays, 7pm - 9pm Goldfarb Library Gardner Jackson Room (December 10, 17)

Thursdays, 7pm - 9pm Farber Library Mezzanine Group Study Room 2 (December 12, 19)

Resources & Events from Campus Partners

many books of various colors on book shelves

Finals Season Announcements from the Library


Library Building Hours: The Library will have extended hours during the Finals period. Please check the Library hours for details.


Library Stressbusters: As we approach finals period, the Library is here to support you! Stressbuster events and activities begin December 8th and include:

logo for the academic fellowships office  the names of many offered fellowships appears in white on a blue background with a sentence in yellow that reads are you ready to explore

Academic Fellowships at Brandeis


The primary goal of Academic Fellowships at Brandeis is to support students’ academic growth and development. The process of applying for a competitive fellowship or research opportunity can help you clarify your goals and set in motion a plan to achieve them. A Fellowship Advisor can help you learn more about which opportunities are a good match for your interests and then guide you through the application process, from developing your initial ideas all the way through writing your proposal or essays and ultimately submitting your application. Academic Fellowships at Brandeis works with students in every class year, from any background, with any GPA, and in any area of interest. Whether you are just beginning your academic journey or already have a specific research project or fellowship application in mind, we look forward to helping you make the most of the available opportunities at Brandeis and beyond!  


Udall Scholarship (sophomores and juniors)

The Udall Foundation seeks future leaders from the entire spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics. Benefits include lifelong membership in an active and growing network of alumni; meeting other student leaders at the Udall Scholar Orientation; and up to $7,000 for educational expenses. The Brandeis deadline Intent-to-Apply is January 15, 2025, by which date any interested students should submit the Intent-to-Apply form that can be obtained from Meredith Monaghan, Executive Director of Academic Fellowships. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to email Meredith as soon as possible for advice about the application process.  


Fellowships Email List:

If you are thinking about applying for a fellowship in the future, or just want to learn more about what opportunities are available, you may wish to sign up for our weekly newsletter, where we share information about particular fellowship opportunities, application tips, deadline reminders, and more. To opt into this list, please email fellowships@brandeis.edu.

A rainbow colored infographic in a circle that says Student Accessibility Support at the top and SAS at the bottom. The infographics are inside the circle with colorful icons related to accessibility and college.

Student Accessibility Support (SAS) Updates


Accommodation Letter

If you already have approved accommodations you can use this job aid with instructions to download your accommodation letter from faculty. You must send this letter to professors yourself in order for accommodations to be implemented. If you need a change to your accommodations or if you don't have approved accommodations and think you may qualify, please email access@brandeis.edu to schedule an appointment with an Accessibility Specialist. 


Last day for SAS Fellows office hours is Tuesday, December 10th!

Our SAS Fellows, peer support programhold office hours throughout the semester, Monday - Friday, 1pm - 3pm, in the Academic Services/Student Financial Services lobby (Usdan Student Center, east entrance, up the main staircase) on the couches by the far windows. The SAS Fellows can support you with organizing your upcoming assignments, communicating with instructors, finding campus resources, getting homework done, and navigating accessibility issues. You can schedule an appointment ahead of time easily using the calendar OR drop-in during their in-person scheduled office hours. Are you unable to make the office hours, but still want to connect with the SAS Fellows? You can email them at SASFellows@brandeis.edu and they will respond to your email during their working hours! 


Deisvergent meets on Fridays, 4pm - 5pm, in SCC 315! 

Join other students who identify as neurodiverse or neurodivergent and support one another! Deisvergent is a student-run Neurodiversity/Neurodivergence affinity group that is social and supportive and can evolve based on the interests of group members. This group meets on Fridays, 4pm - 5pm, in the Shapiro Campus Center (SCC) Room 315. Also, Deisvergent has started a Discord for interested members to connect with one another (please use the flyer with the QR code). Please email student leaders Hannan Canavan and Christina Waring at Deisvergent@brandeis.edu with any questions. Fidgets and art supplies are provided at meetings!


Other Accessibility Resources

A cat wearing a scarf while drinking hot chocolate out of a Brandeis mug.

Stressbusters brought to you by HAWP Keep your stress in check by planning your study time (including breaks!) and taking advantage of our curated list of Virtual Stressbusters. Click the button below to access our website with a calendar full of finals Stressbusters! 

Take me to the Stressbusters Calendar

COMPACT's Current Awards Offerings

 

Newman Civic Fellowship

 

The Newman Civic Fellowship is a year-long program that recognizes and supports student public problem solvers at Campus Compact member institutions. Fellows are nominated by their president or chancellor based on their potential for public leadership and their work with communities.



Throughout the fellowship year, Campus Compact provides students with opportunities to nurture their assets and help them develop strategies for social change—creating a network of connected and engaged student leaders who can support one another in making positive change. To learn more about the program components, check out the Campus Compact website! The Newman Civic Fellowship application deadline is January 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

 

Read more about the Newman Civic Fellowship!

Apply today!

 

Office Hours Dates/Times:

Sign up for office hours appointments with Tony Thein (COMPACT’s Senior Program Coordinator) by using the following link: Newman Civic Fellowship Office Hours.

Davis Projects for Peace

Projects for Peace is a global program that partners with educational institutions to identify and support young peacebuilders. Each year, 125 or more student leaders are each awarded a grant of $10,000 to implement a Project for Peace during the Summer. The program encourages college students to develop innovative, community-centered, and scalable responses to the world’s most pressing issues.


Undergraduate students (including seniors who would complete their projects after graduation) are eligible to apply. Groups of students, as well as individual students, may submit proposals. Each Project for Peace must have a Faculty Mentor for the project whose area of expertise aligns with the project's goals. Learn more about Faculty Mentor Guidelines. To be considered for the Davis Projects for Peace Grant, please complete the online application and submit materials by January 17, 2025. All proposals must follow the Guidance from Davis Projects for Peace.

 

Read more about Davis Projects for Peace!

Apply today!


Office Hours Dates/Times:

Reach out to Megan Moran (COMPACT’s Associate Director) and Tony Thein (COMPACT’s Senior Program Coordinator) to schedule an appointment.

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