Undergraduate Affairs News
The Office of Undergraduate Affairs distributes a monthly newsletter to undergraduate students from September to May each year. All undergraduate students automatically receive this newsletter and sign-up is not required. Brandeis faculty and staff who wish to receive this newsletter can subscribe.
A Message from the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs
Dear Students,
It may seem a little odd to bring up the value of tradition at the same moment that we are engaged in an ambitious project, in the words of President Levine, to “reinvent the liberal arts for the global, digital, knowledge economy.” After all, this kind of reinvention requires us to think differently, to be unafraid of change, even dramatic or radical change, in the service of this bold new experiment.
To be clear, I am enthusiastic and optimistic about the opportunities this time of reinvention presents us. In our recent Student Town Hall I tried to convey that enthusiasm by describing some of the new possibilities that will be available to students within our reorganized academic structure.
But even as we forge ahead with a willingness, even an eagerness, to break from old academic habits and practices, we should not lose sight of the power and value of traditions, especially those traditions that unite us, helping us all feel part of something bigger than ourselves, part of a community of scholars and learners pursuing that oh-so-Brandeisian aspiration, “Truth, even to its innermost parts.”
We have been talking a lot in my office about the importance of a sense of community and belonging to student success and thriving. It’s both intuitively and empirically true that students who feel like they belong to a community are more likely to do their best academic work, complete their degrees in a timely fashion, and transition into satisfying career paths upon graduation.
There are plenty of ways to build community and nurture a sense of belonging. One effective strategy is through shared traditions. These can be sage and serious traditions, but they can be just as effective if they are a bit goofy and fun. The trick is to find the right balance and to ensure that they are inclusive and compelling. Brandeis does have some of its own traditions that function in this way, things like the annual first-year Light the Night, the Festival of the Creative Arts, the wonderfully rich and diverse Culture X, Liquid Latex, Springfest, the amazing 24-Hour Musical, and our fantastic Library Sled Races.
But I think we could use a few more, and that’s where you come in. Consider this your official invitation to propose a new tradition, something we can start this year that will bring people together in a way that’s silly, or, fun, or meaningful, an event that has enough substance to it that students in future years will want to continue doing it.
Maybe there’s an old Brandeis tradition that we should consider reviving or reinventing? If you have a parent or sibling or other relative or family friend who was an undergraduate here, ask them what they remember about the traditions they participated in when they were students.
Send us your ideas at ugaffairs@brandeis.edu. I look forward to seeing them.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Shoulson
Upcoming Deadlines & Events
Academic Updates & Resources
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Have questions about your fall schedule or progress towards your Brandeis degree? We’re here to help! Schedule an advising appointment through the links below or join us for Ask Advising drop-in hours – no appointment necessary! Academic Advising is located in Academic Services, 2nd floor Usdan East.
20-minute academic advising appointments (Zoom)
With academic advisors and Roosevelt Fellows | Appointments are posted every Friday for the following week
30-minute academic advising appointments (In-person or Zoom)
With academic advisors | Appointments are available up to three weeks in advance
BUGS tutoring is free and open to all undergraduates!
You can view the most updated list of tutors and courses in which tutoring will be offered here. Questions? Please contact Julia Mani, Director of Peer Academic Support.
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!
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.
Scheduling Appointments: Email Meredith Monaghan directly to set up a remote or in-person appointment.
More Ways to Connect: To keep up-to-date about current opportunities and upcoming deadlines, make sure to follow us on Instagram @brandeisfellowships.
Did you know that you are more likely to stay focused, motivated, and accountable if you work alongside others? Come to evening accountability hours this semester, held in the library from 7-9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays!
You'll be joined by a BUGS Study Skills Tutor or SAS Fellow and other peers who are looking for a space to be productive. Free snacks provided! See room locations.
Please note that accountability hours do not meet on "no class" days.
Are you a first-year student interested in strengthening your skills in time management, note-taking, studying, and communicating with faculty? Consider signing up for a section of HWL 58 in module 2 (beginning in early November)!
Course topics include getting organized, combatting procrastination, studying effectively, and connecting with faculty via email and in office hours. This course is designed to help you in your other classes- without adding to your workload!
Questions? Contact Julia Mani.
The Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS) is an intensive summer study abroad opportunity for US citizens who are undergraduate and graduate students to learn languages essential to America’s engagement with the world. Students spend eight to ten weeks abroad studying one of 12 critical languages (Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu). The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains.
While seven of the languages offered by the CLS Program do not require applicants to have any experience studying critical languages, a minimum of one year of instruction prior to summer 2026 is required for Arabic, Chinese, Korean, and Russian, and two years of study are required for Japanese. Applications are due in November for students interested in applying for a summer 2026 grant. Please contact Executive Director of Academic Fellowships Meredith Monaghan to learn more and discuss the application process and timeline.
Are you an undergraduate who is interested in conducting research at Brandeis? The Undergraduate Research and Creative Collaborations Office is here to help you find a faculty mentor, research topic, research funding, and presentation opportunities. Students can get involved in research in many ways, including as a paid research assistant, through research grants and fellowships, research for course credit and more.
Visit the URCC website to explore your options and sign up for the URCC Newsletter and biweekly mailing for news and updates on research opportunities, events, funding, and programs at Brandeis and beyond.
This fall, English Language Programs is piloting a Course-Embedded Consultant (CEC) program for the University Writing program's Composition Seminar (CSEM). Each participating instructor will be assigned a CEC, a trained undergraduate peer tutor devoted specifically to that instructor’s sections of CSEM. Unlike other tutoring options on campus, CECs will be in close contact with their partner instructors, and they will follow along with course content (assignment prompts and select reading/viewing materials and activities).
This familiarity will allow the CECs to support their CSEM students in all aspects of the writing process, including brainstorming, pre-drafting, outlining and organization, content development, revision, and editing for clarity. All members of participating sections will be eligible to use this service through a mix of set drop-in hours and flexible online or in-person appointments. Excited about the potential of this consultant model, ELP hopes that the pilot program will provide a valuable resource for the CSEM teaching and learning community.
SAS is excited to announce the launch of our Accommodation Toolkit. Within the letter, you’ll see that several accommodations now have hyperlinks which will open the specific article that contains additional information to support implementation. The aim is to provide students and faculty alike with a consistent baseline to work from. Of course, we recognize that no one document can ever answer all questions and so members of SAS are glad to continue to be available.
Please be sure to read through the accommodation letter as well as review the information within the hyperlinks. We’d love to receive feedback from students and faculty, so please share your feedback by completing the Accommodation Toolkit Feedback Form.
As you email your accommodation letters to your professors, please be sure to introduce yourself and identify the class that you are taking with them. As always, please do not hesitate to be in touch with any questions!
For emergencies, contact Public Safety at 781-736-3333 (on-campus issues) or 911 (off-campus issues).
For urgent mental health concerns, contact the Brandeis Counseling Center (BCC) at 781-736-3730 (24/7 consultation available).
For student behavior concerns that can wait at least one business day, submit an I Care Form to the Care Team to evaluate and coordinate resources of the university and provide necessary support. Also, please submit an I Care Form after calling Public Safety, 911, or the BCC to ensure follow up for student wellbeing.
Research & Event Highlights
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Have you ever experienced test anxiety? You are not alone! Get prepared as finals approach, and know better how to manage your anxiety so you can focus on the test and not on your stress. In this interactive workshop happening tonight, you will learn valuable tips and strategies from Brandeis Counseling Center therapist Tal Nir and BUGS Study Skills tutors Maya and Lola, and walk away with a plan for finishing up your semester strong! All class years are welcome. Cider and sweet treats will be provided!
Monday, November 3
5:30-6:30 pm
Skyline Multipurpose Room
If you are studying Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Hebrew, Russian or another critical language and are planning to study abroad - or spend the year after graduation - in a country where one of these languages is spoken, you may be eligible to apply for a Boren Scholarship. Boren Scholarships are a unique funding opportunity to study in world regions critical to U.S. interests; they provide up to $25,000 for US citizens to study in countries that are generally underrepresented in study abroad. In recent years Brandeisians have won Boren Scholarships to study Arabic in Jordan, Morocco, and Oman; Chinese in Shanghai and Beijing; Russian in Kazakhstan; and Turkish in Azerbaijan. The Brandeis intent-to-apply deadline is December 1, 2025, by which date any interested students should reach out to Meredith Monaghan to discuss the application process, timeline, and next steps.
The Brandeis Social Impact Startup Challenge 2025 is now open for registration. This is a weekend-long, in-person startup incubator where students form teams to build and pitch social impact ventures with guidance from experienced mentors.
Key Details:
Dates: November 7–9
Prize: Up to $1,500 in cash
Team Size: 3–5 members. Bring your team or join one on the spot
Meals: Provided for all participants
Eligibility: All students are welcome. No prior experience/expertise needed.
Registration Required
For any queries, feel free to reach out to Hardik Shukla.
Campus Groups includes a multitude of capabilities, is user-friendly, and has the ability to manage all student organization functions within one platform. Campus Groups is the hub for all processes related to clubs and organizations, including organization management (such as rosters, club documents, and mission statements), event creation and management, financial processes, service-hour tracking, and communication with club members and Brandeis students at large.
To access the app:
- Download Campus Groups from the App store or Google Play
- Search “Brandeis University”
- Sign on using SSO (Brandeis credentials)
Help researchers better understand how generative AI (“GenAI”) is impacting students at Brandeis and enjoy free refreshments and a chance to win Brandeis swag!
Brandeis researchers are holding interview sessions to learn more about how undergraduate and graduate students are using and experiencing generative AI tools in Brandeis learning environments. Held in private settings, these interview sessions offer a great opportunity for you to share your personal experiences and opinions about how generative AI has impacted your life at Brandeis.
The researchers recognize that generative AI and its use can be a sensitive topic for many. These interview sessions have been granted amnesty from the Office of the Provost; i.e., they are free from any repercussions for students who choose to disclose their use of genAI tools for academic work. Please note that this immunity applies only to the interview session itself and does not extend to academic integrity concerns arising in other contexts (for example, if an instructor has concerns about a student's work based on the content of the assignment).
Who can participate? Anyone 18 years or older who is a current student (undergraduate or graduate) at Brandeis
Time commitment: ~30 minutes, plus time to complete Qualtrics form
Location: Rabb Graduate Center 340 or Zoom
Compensation: All participants will have the option to enter a raffle for Brandeis swag (shirts, mugs, etc.). Free refreshments will be provided at in-person interviews.
Interested?
Review the informed consent form and sign up
Email Scott Moore or Robert Cochran for
more information.
Other Campus News
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The Brandeis Winter Coat Drive invites all students, staff, and faculty to come together in support of community members in need. As temperatures drop, many of our students and families face the challenge of staying warm. This initiative aims to collect new or gently used winter gear to ensure all students have access to proper cold-weather clothing.
- Donation Items Needed: Winter coats (all sizes, large size highly desired), hats, scarves, and gloves, sweaters and hoodies, warm socks.
- Donation Guidelines: Items must be new or in good and clean condition, please ensure all zippers, buttons, and fastenings are functional, avoid donating items with stains, tears, or excessive wear.
- Drop-Off Locations: Graduate Student Center, Gzang Science Library 127, Bernstein-Marcus building entrance, Heller Building Entrance, Dean of Student Office, SCC 224, School of Business and Economic, World Court, Shapiro Campus Center Lobby, Usdan Student Center, Library entrance (collection bin by the main doors)
- Who Benefits: All donations will be sorted and ready for students to pick up from December 1 - December 10 at the Brandeis Food Pantry and the School of Social Management and Social Policy Coat Rack.
- How to Get Involved: Donate winter gear at any of the designated drop-off points, Spread the word across campus and social media using the hashtag #BrandeisWinterCoatDrive, Sign up to volunteer to help sort and organize donations.
For questions or to volunteer, contact the Office of Graduate Affairs, Jing Zhang. Together, the Brandeis community can make this winter warmer for everyone.
The Library’s regular fall semester hours have begun. Please check the library site for upcoming hours, including exceptions.
Check out the Library’s workshops calendar! Upcoming workshop topics include Python, Git and GitHub, Stata, Qualtrics, Excel, Learn about Brandeis Design and Innovation, Zotero and more.
This summer, the Farber Library Mezzanine Level underwent a complete refresh, from brand-new furniture, updated carpet, to fresh paint, and a brighter, more inviting setup! Read more about the refresh and explore the range of library spaces available for your various study needs, including quiet areas and bookable group study rooms.
Starting September 2, the University Writing Center will be open and offering writing support to all Brandeis students in the form of one-on-one consultations (both in-person and Zoom) and asynchronous document drops. Writers of all levels are welcome to bring whatever academic writing they are working on: from first-year college essays to lab reports, senior theses, dissertations, and personal statements.
The Writing Center's team of trained graduate student consultants offers guidance at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to outlining to revision. Students interested in a consultation may make an appointment online (recommended) or drop in anytime between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday.