Academic Advising · Pre-Health Advising · Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program
Student Accessibility Support · Student Support Services Program · BUGS Tutors
Roosevelt Fellows · Student Accessibility Support Fellows

Hello here's the latest from
our department!!
headshot of Lori Tenser Dean of Academic Support and Advising
A Welcome from Lori Tenser,
our new Dean of Academic Support and Advising!

Welcome - or Welcome Back - to Brandeis! I'm very excited to be joining the Brandeis community as the new Dean of Academic Support and Advising, and I look forward to meeting many of you during your time here. For me, it's also a special start to the new academic year, as I had worked at Brandeis for a number of years earlier in my professional career. So this is a place that has a lot of meaning and importance to me, both personally and professionally, and I'm happy to be back!  

The people and departments in Academic Services are all focused on supporting student success. Our professional staff is dedicated to answering your academic questions, helping you navigate the curriculum, guiding you as you make decisions about your academic career, and connecting you with the resources you need. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Our e-newsletter will reach you 1-2 times a month and contain helpful resources from our department and our campus partners. You can reach us via phone (781-736-3470), via email (acserv@brandeis.edu), come for a visit (Usdan East 130), or on social media (@brandeisacserv on Instagram and Facebook). Looking forward to a great year!
Academic Dates & Resources
Thursday, August 25:
  • First day of undergraduate instruction.

Monday, September 5:
  • Labor Day holiday; no classes; staff holiday.

Thursday, September 8
  • Last day to add classes.

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

Access the full Fall 2022 academic calendar on the Registrar's website.
HWL 1a: Navigating Health and Safety:
A required six-week module for all NEW students 

Please register for HWL 1a as soon as possible. This is a required course in your first semester, satisfying the Health, Wellness, and Life Skills component of the Brandeis Core.

Here's how to register: 

1. Have a look at days, times, and modules* available on the Schedule of Classes
*Module 1 classes will run August 25-October 19. Module 2 classes will run October 20-December 7. 
2. Identify a section (ex: HWL 1 - section 9) that fits your schedule.
3. Log in to Workday > type "find course sections Brandeis" > select fall 2022 module 1 or 2 (second or third bubble)
4. Select your HWL 1 section and register. The class will then appear on your fall semester schedule.
The "Add" Period

Students may add courses to their Fall 2022 semester schedule up until Thursday, September 8th.

In-Person classes
If students want to visit in-person classes they are considering for their schedule but are not yet enrolled, they should email the instructor for permission (in case the classroom space has capacity limits). If you don't hear back, it is ok to attend the class at the date/time/location listed in Workday.

Remote and Hybrid classes
Students who wish to visit remote/hybrid classes during the add period can find the Zoom link for the course on the syllabi posted on LATTE. If the link is not found on the syllabi, students are encouraged to email the instructors of any classes they are planning to visit so that they can get the Zoom link directly from the instructor.
Academic Services Unit Updates
Academic Advising

The Academic Advising team looks forward to working with you this semester. Here are some important notes about appointments and staffing:

Same Day Appointments
Daily 20-minute appointments will be available for the fall 2022 semester beginning Thursday, August 25. These appointments will continue to take place through ZOOM. Students can select available appointments through the Academic Advising Drop-in Calendar. In the pop-up box, please fill in the following fields:

What [write your name]
Where [Zoom meeting (preferred) or phone call (list the best number to reach you)]
Description [what would you like to talk about?]

Notes for Students on Drop Ins:
  • Appointments are on a first come, first served basis.
  • Students do NOT need to meet with their assigned advisor.
  • Appointments will be phone or Zoom as indicated by students.
  • Please check the time zone settings on your google calendar. All meetings will take place in EDT.
  • Students may book only one (1) drop in slot per day.
  • If you cannot make your appointment please call the office at 781-736-3470 so that the slot can be used for another student in need of one.

Staffing- Here is your academic advising team (includes alpha splits):

Alan Alleyne (A-C), aalleyne@brandeis.edu
Julia Mani (D, H-K), jmani@brandeis.edu
Kiernan Acquisto (E, L-M), kacquisto@brandeis.edu
Chris Greene (F, Ga-Gl, N-R), cagreene@brandeis.edu
Brian Koslowski (Gn-Go, S-V), bkoslow@brandeis.edu
Kimoi Seale (Gr-Gz, W-Z), kseale@brandeis.edu

On family leave:
Katy Colahan
Katie Dunn
Student Support Services Program (SSSP)
Seeks Peer Tutors

The TRIO Student Support Services Program (SSSP), located in the Academic Services Office is hiring SSSP Peer Tutors for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Interested candidates should apply on Workday by searching for positions using "Peer Tutor SSSP". Positions are filled on a rolling basis as the need arises; however, priority will be given to those who apply before September 2nd.

Questions may be directed to SSSPTutoring@brandeis.edu.
Student Accessibility Support (SAS) Updates

Requesting fall accommodation letters
We have already reached out to all of our students registered with SAS regarding how to request accommodation letters for the Fall 2022 semester through our new process in Workday. Please reach out to access@brandeis.edu if you have any questions about the process or did not receive an email with instructions.

New requests for accommodations
If you have never requested accommodations, but are interested in exploring that option, please email access@brandeis.edu to schedule an appointment with an Accessibility Specialist. We are offering meetings both in-person and virtually via Zoom.

Report an Accessibility Issue.
If you experience or hear about an accessibility issue of any kind, please report it to us so we can look into it!

SAS is on the 'Gram!
Follow us on Instagram (@brandeis_sas) for SAS updates and disability justice content!
MKTYP Reminders

Kathryn's office can be found in the Study Abroad Suite in Usdan WEST. All MKTYP students should schedule meetings with Kathryn through her Google calendar.
Roosevelt Fellows: Here for You

Roosevelt Fellows are junior and senior peer academic advisors who offer an informed and accessible perspective on academics at Brandeis. They are a resource for all undergraduates with a special focus on new students. Profiles, contact information of this year's team, and office hours are available on the Roosevelt Fellows website. Weekly office hours will begin on August 29. You can access their calendar by clicking on the button below.
I Scream, You Scream....
An Ice Cream Social!

Get to know the Roosevelt Fellows and Undergraduate Department Representatives over some famous Lizzy's ice cream on Thursday, August 25 from 6 to 7 pm at the Lights of Reason/Rose Art Museum! Roosevelt Fellows are generalist peer academic advisors assigned to each new student. They can answer questions about course registration, academic policies, and the academic transition to college. Undergraduate Departmental Representatives are student liaisons within academic departments. They offer advice about course planning within their department and community building activities for their department. We're excited to meet you! 
Pre-Health Advising
Course Planning Workshops

Join the Pre-Health Advising Team as we explain Pre-Health course requirements and help you build out your future. This is open to all students!

Dates & Location:
August 26, 2022, 2pm - 3pm EST (In-Person), Location: SCC 314
August 30, 2022, 2pm - 3pm EST (In-Person), Location: SCC 314
September 6, 2022, 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST (In-Person), Location: SCC 314

Sign up via our online form.
Resources & Events from Campus Partners
The Community Engaged Scholars (CES) Program
The Community Engaged Scholars (CES) program connects our students’ longstanding commitment to community service directly to their studies. It will provide students with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to serve as ethical, respectful, and responsible agents of service and of social change in their local, national, and global communities.
Open to students in any major, the CES program builds connections between the curriculum and co-curriculum, creates a cohort of undergraduates committed to community service and civic engagement, and enables them to benefit from community-connected teaching, learning, and research. Students who complete the program will receive a notation on their transcript as recognition of their accomplishments.
Enroll in CESP 10a: Foundations of Community Engagement. Block P 3:55 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Academic Fellowships

Fall Applicant Support Day

Are you applying for one of our Fall Fellowships (Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Schwarzman, McCall-MacBain, Knight-Hennessy) this year? As we prepare for the September 1st Campus Deadline, the Academic Fellowships Team would like to invite you to our "Applicant Support Day" Event!

Stop by the Academic Services Tutoring Lounge (Usdan 2nd Floor) any time between 1pm-4pm on Monday, August 29th for a chance to connect with Meredith and Elizabeth, and enjoy some free snacks. There will be plenty of room to sit and write as well, so you are welcome to bring your laptop!
Undergraduate Research and Creative Collaborations Office (URCC)

Are you interested in getting involved in academic research or a scholarly creative project? The Undergraduate Research and Creative Collaborations Office is here to help! Brandeis has a long-standing tradition of undergraduates conducting research and creative projects with the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students can get involved in research in many ways, including as paid research assistants, through research grants and fellowships, and research for course credit. You can start exploring your options through a Research 101 one-hour introduction to research workshop. The Research 101 workshop is being offered multiple times during the Fall Semester. To sign up, visit the URCC Events Page.
Save the Date: Fresh Check Day

Fresh Check Day is an uplifting mental health promotion and suicide prevention event that includes interactive expo booths, peer-to-peer education, support of multiple campus departments and groups, free food, entertainment, prizes and giveaways. Fresh Check Day aims to create an approachable and hopeful atmosphere where students are encouraged to engage in dialogue about mental health.

Friday, September 9, 2022
1 pm to 4 pm
Shapiro Campus Center Great Lawn
Library News & Resources

The Library is here to help you get your semester off to a great start!