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Roosevelt Fellows · Student Accessibility Support Fellows

Hello here's the latest from
our department!!
Reflections from Senior and Roosevelt Fellow,
Shania Thomas

As the last semester of my undergraduate career at Brandeis comes to a close, I'm sure most would imagine that I would be thinking about finding a job or deciding which graduate school to attend. Perhaps, I would be reminiscing on all the classes I have taken, all the people I've met, or how much I will miss having a Kungfu Tea within walking distance of my house (I'm really going to miss that). Alas, like all the years before, my mind is almost entirely focused on the long list of final exams and assignments I have to complete before it is time to pack up and go home. As difficult as it may be and occasionally daunting as the tasks may seem, I have benefitted from having had the experience seven times before. There are a few things that, regardless of what I'm taking, I always do when finals roll around, and I suggest to all the students I meet with:
 
  1. Take a deep breath. Slow down to get a better understanding of what you need to complete. I like to take time to pray and go for a walk. It helps center my thoughts, and it gives me the strength to finish strong.
  2. Take inventory. If you've been keeping tabs with BUGS study skills, Roosevelt Fellows, or any other academic services office, you know it's important to look through your syllabus and take stock of important dates. The beginning of finals is a good time to check back over your calendar and make sure everything is accounted for. Check the Final Exam schedule for final exam time slots. If you have more than three consecutively, consider requesting to have one rescheduled. 
  3. Take some time to plan. Decide when you will work on which assignments or study for exams depending on their due dates. Give yourself as much time as possible so you can spread things out as much as your schedule will allow.
  4. Take it one thing at a time. While you might have to complete multiple assignments for one date, work on one project at a time. Take an hour or two to work on one thing, switch to the other assignment for an hour or two, etc. Don't flip aimlessly back and forth, or nothing will really get done. 
  5. Take breaks. Now that you have taken the time to plan everything out make sure to include breaks. Zoom with a friend or watch some of the Festival of Creative Arts performances! Breaks prevent burnout. 
 
More than anything, remember that finals season doesn't last forever. You will make it through, and before you know it, it will be your last semester here too.  
Academic Dates & Resources
Thursday, April 29:
  • Last day to submit a request to reschedule a final exam (more information below).

Wednesday, May 5:
  • Last day of instruction.

Thursday, May 6:
  • Study day.

Friday, May 7 - Friday, May 14
  • Final Exams

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

Access the full Spring 2021 academic calendar on the Registrar's website.
Celebrate Research at the First Annual Undergraduate
Research Symposium on Friday, April 30
You are invited to join more than 150 undergraduate students from across all academic divisions as they share presentations of their original research on Friday, April 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the first annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. In order to maintain the health and safety of our community, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Collaborations (URCC) will host the event entirely online this year.

If you are interested in attending, please sign up with Symposium by ForagerOne, where you will have the opportunity to preview the presentations online beginning April 28.
white and black road sign with arrow pointing right that says final exam the background is a lightly clouded blue sky.
Am I eligible to reschedule a final exam?

Students who qualify to reschedule a Spring 2021 final exam must fall into at least one of the categories listed below:

  • Three final exams scheduled within four consecutive exam periods (not interrupted by a weekend).
  • Two exams on the same day for students with an extended time accommodation.

The deadline to request a reschedule is Thursday, April 29. To read more about this policy and to access the request form please visit the Registrar's website.
Academic Services Unit Updates
Academic Advising:
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). Your instructor will review your request and, if approved, will establish new due dates for your assignments and exams (before June 15, or an earlier date set by your instructor). Please be in touch with your academic advisor if you have any questions about the incomplete request process.
Student Accessibility Support (SAS) Updates

Important Information Regarding Final Exams. 
It is important for you to check the finals schedule on the Registrar's office: Final Exam Schedule. If you do not see a final exam time listed for one or more of your courses, please read your course syllabi for information and/or reach out to your professors directly for those courses for clarification.

The Final Exam Reschedule Request Form has been posted and is due before April 29, 2021.

Why might you complete this form?
  1. If you have an Extended Time Accommodation for Exams AND have more than one exam scheduled on the same day (including a take home exam);
  2. If you have three final exams scheduled within four consecutive exam periods (not interrupted by a weekend).

If you fall into one or both of those reasons, you may complete the Final Exam Reschedule Request Form. The Registrar's Office will follow up with you regarding your request.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at access@brandeis.edu or call to make an appointment with an Accessibility Specialist at (781) 736-3470.

Don't Forget to Send your Accommodation Letter! 
It is not too late to share your accommodation letter with your faculty, and we encourage you to send your letter if you have not already done so. With the end of the semester and final exams on the horizon, we want to make sure that your approved accommodations are in place. If you have not yet requested your accommodation letter, or need changes, please reach out to us at (access@brandeis.edu).

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!

Check out this Scholarship Opportunity! 
We encourage you to check out the Disability Care Center's scholarship that is catered towards students with disabilities!
Academic Fellowships

Academic Fellowships provides support and mentoring to all undergraduate students and recent alumni pursuing nationally competitive fellowships and scholarships as well as current undergraduates seeking on- and off-campus research opportunities. To keep up-to-date about current opportunities and upcoming deadlines, make sure to follow us on Instagram @brandeisfellowships or "like" our Facebook Page. To schedule a remote appointment, email Meredith Monaghan (monaghan@brandeis.edu) or Elizabeth Rotolo (erotolo@brandeis.edu) directly.   

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 in to this list, please email Director of Academic Fellowships Meredith Monaghan (monaghan@brandeis.edu). 
SAS Fellows Corner:
Answering Your Most Important Questions

SAS Fellows. The fellows are here and ready to help you navigate accessibility at Brandeis! Here is this week's question:

Q: What do I do if my accommodations are not being met by my professor?

A: If your accommodations are not being implemented by your professor, you can communicate with your professor directly, saying something like: "Hm, I'll need to check with SAS about what to do, because I'm not sure how to access this class without that accommodation." (This advice is straight from our new director, Cara, in her quick welcome video!) They can get as involved (or not) as you want but SAS is here for you so take advantage of their help.

Remember that engaging with your professor can be as simple as an email. You can include how your approved accommodation will help you succeed in their class, or put them in touch with SAS in case they need guidance about how to implement your accommodations. Your next step is to involve Student Accessibility Support (SAS) for more help. 

Other things to keep in mind:
  • You can report any accessibility issue using the ReportIt! form on the SAS website.  
  • If you have questions that are more specific to your own accommodation needs, don't hesitate to reach out to SAS--either to the staff or to the SAS Fellows--for help. You can use access@brandeis.edu or 781-736-3470 to reach us.
  • The SAS Fellows will be concluding their final office hours for the semester on Thursday, April 29th. Thank you for a great semester!
Keep calm: Managing Stress & Overcoming Test Anxiety

Date: Wednesday, April 28
Time: 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. ET
Via Zoom 

The end of the semester can be extremely stressful, especially during finals. However, when our level of stress increases too much our performance level decreases. This workshop will focus on stress management and using strategies to overcome test anxiety. The presenters will be Leah Berkenwald, Director of Health Promotion and Wellness Initiatives and the Bridge To Wellness (BTW) peer educators. 
Pre-Health Advising & the Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students (MAPS) Present a Movie Night Featuring: Black Men in White Coats

Date: Thursday, April 29
Time: 6:00 to 7:30 pm ET
Discussion: 7:30 to 8:30 ET

What if we had a medical workforce that actually reflected our patient population? What challenges do our black boys face? Who are their role models? With only 2% of American doctors being black men, this comes as no surprise.

This documentary dissects the systemic barriers preventing black men from becoming medical doctors and the consequences on society at large.

Please join us for an individual screening with your peers and then for an engaging conversation shortly after!

Campus Accessibility Committee:
Public Meeting

Date: Friday, April 30
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET 

The CAC is a group of students, staff, and faculty from across campus, who meet weekly to identify and address accessibility issues of all kinds.

At our public meeting on Friday, April 30, we want to address any questions or concerns you raise up to us! You can attend via this Zoom link (full URL: tinyurl.com/CACApril30). Use the Accessibility Reporting Link  (full URL: tinyurl.com/BrandeisAccessibilityReport) to send in any questions or items that you want addressed by the Committee (anonymously or with your name). You may also use the Reporting Link at any time to submit accessibility questions or concerns directly to the Director of Student Accessibility Support, Cara Streit (carastreit@brandeis.edu).
Roosevelt Fellows Study Hall Program

Join us for our last study hall of the semester:

Date: Thursday, May 6 
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.


We know that during these trying times it can be hard to get work done the way we would normally. To help one another get some work done, the Roosevelt Fellows are hosting study halls throughout the semester! Consider this your hall pass. See you there!
Resources & Events from Campus Partners
Summer School Options
Thinking about completing coursework this summer to make progress on your degree? You can enroll in courses through Brandeis Summer School or petition to take courses at another institution. Please be aware that the total number of summer courses that can be applied to your degree, no matter where the courses are taken, cannot exceed three courses (or 12 credits worth of coursework) each year.

Brandeis Summer School
All courses through Brandeis Summer School will be online this summer. Five-week courses are offered during session 1 and session 2 through Zoom and LATTE. These courses will be live, synchronous course meetings, and will be held at the day and time listed on the class schedule.  

Ten-week asynchronous courses (session 0) are also being offered, allowing students to engage with course material at times convenient for them.  

Registration is now open for Brandeis summer school courses.  Brandeis students must first activate their student record for Summer Term in Sage before they can enroll in summer. To do this you will need to select “Summer School Term Activation” in the Sage Student Center. This can be seen in steps 2 and 3 of the detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to register for Summer School in Sage. This step will tell Sage that you want your student record to be active for Summer Term.

You are encouraged to add yourself to the mailing list so that you are notified of important updates from their office. 

Click here to view the most current course offerings through Brandeis summer school.

The dates of each session are:
  • Session 1 - June 1 to July 2, 2021
  • Session 2 - July 6 to August 6, 2021
  • Online Session / Extended Session - June 1 to August 9, 2021

Students earn numeric credit (towards the 128 credits needed to graduate) through Brandeis Summer School courses, and their grades factor into cumulative GPAs.

Non-Brandeis Summer School 
Please review the non-Brandeis summer school policy and petition process. If you would like to complete a course at another institution, obtain a copy of the syllabus, and submit through the form found on the on this page. The Registrar's Office will review your petition, and will share with an academic department if you're looking for the course to count towards a major or minor. You will receive a decision from the Registrar's Office as soon as possible. (Please do not register for the course until you receive approval.) After you finish the course (with a B- or above), have an official transcript sent to Brandeis. 

Coursework completed at other institutions over the summer can be transferred back to Brandeis for purpose credit only: satisfying a general education/Brandeis Core requirement, or as a course towards a major or minor. Numeric credits do not transfer back to Brandeis, nor does the grade earned in the course factor into your cumulative GPA.  
Workday Student is Live

Starting last week (April 20), students began using Workday to manage personal information such as address, pronouns, emergency contacts, etc. Additional Fall semester functionality (e.g., registration, advising) will be rolled out incrementally between April and September. A friendly reminder that students will continue to complete activities for Spring and Summer semesters in Sage. See the upcoming schedule of activities to see when academic-related tasks will be available in Workday.

Visit the Workday Student website to view helpful step-by-step job aids and additional resources. If you’re new to Workday, you can learn the Workday Basics (navigating the system, inbox vs. notifications, search feature, and common Workday icons.) Contact workday-help@brandeis.edu or call 781-736-9675 with any questions.