Academic Advising · Academic Fellowships · 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!!
Starting Fresh
What did you learn from last semester? Have you given any thought to setting goals for this semester? Whether in your first or last year at Brandeis there is always opportunity for bettering yourself. Getting started with the basics can put you on a path to success:

  • Log in to LATTE, Brandeis’ online course management system. Find the syllabus for each of your courses. Based on your syllabi, record key due dates for assignments and quiz/test dates for the semester. Take note of what weeks in the semester will be busy for you!
  • Introduce yourself to your instructor, TA’s and classmates. The person next to you could be a great study partner, and it’s always helpful to get to know your professor and when they will hold office hours.
  • Use a calendar system such as Google Calendar to keep track of your course schedule as well as other blocks of time for studying, meals, extracurricular activities, work and sleep!
  • Take notes—even on the first day! You may be surprised that professors will start covering material immediately. Review your notes after each class.
  • Scout out possible study spaces that work for you such as libraries, study lounges, or classrooms where you feel most productive.

Finally, know when it is time to ask for help. We are here. Do you know how to find us? (hint: this newsletter contains all of our contact information)
Academic Services can be reached
via email acserv@brandeis.edu
or
via phone 781.736.3470
Academic Dates & Resources
Tuesday, January 18
  • First day of instruction for the semester.

Monday, January 31
  • Last day to add semester and Module I classes.
  • All work for fall term 2021 incompletes due to instructors.
  • Last day for seniors graduating in May to declare or drop a major or minor.

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

Access the full Spring 2022 academic calendar on the Registrar's website.
shopping-cart-grip.jpg
The "Shopping" Period

Remote and Hybrid classes
Students who wish to "shop" their classes during the registration 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 shop so that they can get the Zoom link directly from the instructor.
Academic Services Unit Updates
Office Hours & Advising Appointments

While we are doing our part to keep the campus safe we are still available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to assist you. Our lobby hours through the end of January will be 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. As the academic advisors continue to be at a high volume at this time, we encourage you to direct general inquiries to our main email box (acserv@brandeis.edu) or call us at 781.736.3470 for a quicker response.

During the first two weeks of Spring 2022 classes, advisors will be available for 20-minute quick question advising meetings so as to accommodate as many students as possible. You can schedule one at this link, and you are welcome to meet with any advisor that fits your schedule. Appointments are full for this week. Roosevelt Fellows do have availability for appointments. Roosevelt Fellows are trained peer academic advisors and are a great resource for students in all class years. Find their schedule at this link.

30 minute appointments will resume on Tuesday, February 1 and will be available to schedule up to 3 weeks in advance.
Student Accessibility Support (SAS) Updates

Accommodation Letters for Spring 2022.  
If you received an accommodation letter in Fall 2021, you DO NOT need to request another accommodation letter for Spring 2022. You can forward the same email from SAS which contains your accommodation letter and the attachments to your Spring 2022 professors. As this is a new process this year, in case your faculty have any questions/concerns about it, please direct them to access@brandeis.edu! Students are welcome to reply to faculty that fall letters are good for spring unless SAS states otherwise and to cc access@brandeis.edu for confirmation as needed. If you need any changes made to your accommodation letter, please reach out to access@brandeis.edu or the SAS staff member you worked with in the past.

SAS Fellows & SAS Assignment Accountability Hours TBA.
Please note that SAS Fellows drop-in appointments and SAS Assignment Accountability Hours will be announced by email soon.

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!
New Advising Team Members & Alpha Splits

We are excited to introduce two new advising team members, Kiernan Acquisto and Christopher Greene. Kiernan and Christopher will begin seeing students after January 31. Meanwhile you are still welcome to see any member of the advising team.
The alpha splits for the advising team this spring will be as follows:
A-C: Alan Alleyne
D-G: Kate Colahan
H-K: Julia Mani
L-M: Kiernan Acquisto (available for appointments after January 31)
N-R: Chris Greene (available for appointments after January 31)
S-V: Katie Dunn
W-Z: Brian Koslowski*

*interim coverage during Kimoi Seale's family leave (returning in early March)
Apply to be a BUGS Tutor

Passionate about helping your peers succeed? Apply to be a BUGS Tutor today! We're looking for tutors for Music 101-104 and Math 115a. To become a BUGS tutor, search for our latest openings by logging into Workday, clicking on the CAREERS worklet, selecting FIND JOBS FOR STUDENTS, and searching for BUGS. Reach out to Program Manager Amy Harris (amyharris@brandeis.edu) if you have any questions.
Academic Fellowships

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. As fellowship advisors, we 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. We work 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! To keep up-to-date about current opportunities and upcoming deadlines, make sure to follow us on Instagram @brandeisfellowships or "like" our Facebook Page.

Fellowships Info Session - STEM Opportunities (Thursday, February 3 at 1pm)
Our first info session in our winter series will focus on opportunities for STEM students (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Open to all class years, this event will cover campus resources that provide research funding, scholarships for sophomores and juniors planning research careers (Goldwater, Udall), and post-graduate opportunities to pursue independent research projects (Churchill, Fulbright) or attend graduate school abroad (Rhodes, Marshall, Gates-Cambridge). Please register in advance here. We hope you can join us!

Fellowships Email List (all students)
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 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 Director of Academic Fellowships Meredith Monaghan.  
Roosevelt Fellows = Hard-Working Student Leaders
The Roosevelt Fellow logo featuring a picture of Eleanor Roosevelt in a purple dress smiling in the center of a dark purple circle surrounded by the words Roosevelt Fellows.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄?

The Roosevelt Fellows are a trained group of junior and senior peer academic advisors who provide an informed and accessible peer perspective on navigating academics at Brandeis. All first year, midyear and transfer students at Brandeis are assigned a Roosevelt Fellow peer advisor to support them in their academic transition. Their name stems from the late Eleanor Roosevelt, an early trustee of Brandeis known for her care for others and service to the community.

What topics can you talk with them about?

-Academic planning and decision making
-Understanding the Brandeis core curriculum, major/minor and pre-health requirements
-Understanding academic policies
-Exploring departments
-Balancing academics and extracurriculars
-Difficulty in a class
-Building relationships with professors and getting involved in research
-Transitioning to college
-Accessing campus resources

Follow them on Instagram @rooseveltfellows.

Check out their schedule of virtual office hours:
Resources & Events from Campus Partners
Study Abroad Extravaganza
Thursday, January 20

Interested in studying abroad but don't know where to start? Have a list of programs but still narrowing it down? Have specific program questions? This event is for you! Join us for virtual info sessions from 9 top programs at the Study Abroad Extravaganza from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 20th. Find the schedule and links on our website.
Library Happenings

The Library's Research Help Services are available remotely through the month of January. Email researchhelp@brandeis.edu, schedule a Zoom appointment, or chat with us online.

Get your spring semester off to a great start by attending a library workshop! Upcoming sessions include:
Brandeis blue logo for the office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Collaborations out of the School of Arts & Sciences.
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 now!

January 20 funding deadline
(academic year research (Spring semester) AND senior thesis funding)
Up to $250 (based on expenses) funding open to current Brandeis undergraduates from all disciplines with a strong faculty mentor to oversee their research project, including senior theses and academic-year research.
Contact Margaret Lynch with questions (margaretlynch@brandeis.edu).

February 4 Funding deadline
Up to $750 (based on expenses) for Brandeis seniors pursuing projects in one or more of the three departments in the Creative Arts: Fine Arts, Music, and Theater Arts.
Contact Margaret Lynch with questions (margaretlynch@brandeis.edu).