Contact Us
Questions or concerns about Fall Fest may be directed to Student Activities at 781-736-5065 or studentactivities@brandeis.edu
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fall Fest Advisors:
Stephanie Grimes
Director of Student Activities
Student Profile
Name: Margo Kolenda ‘14
Major: English and Hispanic Studies, with a minor in Comparative Literature and Linguistics
Involvement on campus: Off-Campus Coordinator for FallFest 2012 & 2013, Orientation Leader, Member of Top Score (student run orchestra), Member of Waltham group- Companions 2 Elders
What is your favorite part of Fall Fest? My favorite part by far was working with my six amazing co-princesses. I think we were a great team, and I always walked away from our meetings in a great mood. They are all incredible leaders in their own way, but it wasn’t until Fall Fest weekend was actually upon us that I realized the depth of their talents. I can’t imagine the weekend without them and think the whole experience really relied on the collectivity of the effort.
How has this involvement impacted your time at Brandeis? Fall Fest has definitely been a highlight of my Brandeis Career. It really got me more invested in the community and infrastructure, and gave me a whole new perspective on student life.
What made you get involved? How could I not get involved at Brandeis? There are so many opportunities, but Fall Fest really appealed to me because at the time I didn’t know much about it. My parents had never come for the weekend, and I’d only gone to a minimal amount of activities. I realized that when I talk about my love for Brandeis to people on the outskirts of the community, they don’t always understand quite what I’m saying, or why I have so many feeling for my school. I saw Fall Fest as an opportunity to speak directly to those who needed to get to know our school a little better, and wanted to craft experiences that left them feeling like Brandeis is an extraordinarily special place. Suddenly the event that hadn’t really grabbed my attention as a participant riveted me as a leader, and I couldn’t wait for October to arrive.
Do you have a favorite memory of your time working on Fall Fest? One of my favorite moments was the potluck dinner we had for a meeting one night. It was towards the end of our planning process, so we didn’t have too much business to attend to, and it was near enough that the excitement was present at the table. We all brought a dish to pass, mostly things put together from C-store shopping trips, and then in comes Steph with homemade lasagna in a soccer-mom Tupperware pan. It was absolutely delicious, and the perfect remedy for a stressful, probably rainy, Monday night.
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Friday, October 25th
9:00 AM-9:00 PM: Fall Fest Welcome and Registration Area
Shapiro Campus Center Atrium
9:00 AM-2:00 PM: Open Classes
11:15-11:45 AM: Service Project Send-Off
International Lounge
11:15AM-2:00PM: Service Project- A Prize in Itself
Community service allows you to make an impact in your local community that will resonate around the world. Join an exclusive volunteer trip to More Than Words (MTW)- an incredible organization located right in downtown Waltham that provides at-risk youth with a stable future by giving them hands-on experience running a small business. We will spend the time assisting in daily operations such as managing inventory, pre-sorting books, alphabetizing the stock, or creating window displays. The group will meet at the International Lounge in the Usdan Student Center at 11:15am for a pre-departure reception with a special guest speaker, and will return to campus around 2:15pm. Transportation will be provided. As we take our commitment to MTW very seriously and have a limited number of spots available, please register for this trip only if you are certain you will attend. All participants receive a T-shirt from the Brandeis bookstore. Registration for this trip can be found here!
Learn more at http://mtwyouth.org/ or email kolendam@brandeis.edu with any questions.
12:00 – 5:00 PM: Visit the Rose Art Museum
3:00 PM: Welcome Reception
Visit with faculty and staff at this campus wide function. Mix and mingle with other families and get to know who is here for the weekend!
5:30 PM: Shabbat Services
Services will include Orthodox (Sherman Function Hall in Hassenfeld Conference Center), Conservative/Egalitarian (International Lounge in Usdan Student Center), and Reform (Berlin Chapel).
6:15 PM: Brandeis Goes Blue: Blue Man Group
Experience the dynamic, energetic, indescribable show that is the Blue Man Group! Price includes tickets and transportation. For more information email kolendam@brandeis.edu or see http://www.blueman.com/
*Please be aware that this show utilizes strobe lights. Those with sensitivity to strobe lights are strongly advised not to attend. Tickets are available on Brandeis Tickets. Limited tickets are available, so purchase soon! Tickets are $62.00 per person, including tickets and transportation to the show. Bus meets at Spingold Theater at 6:15 PM and will return to campus by 10:00 PM.
7:00 PM: Hillel’s Shabbat Dinner and Oneg Shabbat
Dinner in Levin Ballroom, Usdan Student Center; Oneg Shabbat in International Lounge
Dinner tickets are required for all family members, including children over 12, and can be purchased through Brandeis Tickets for $36. Current Brandeis students can reserve and pay for their meal using their meal plan. For children 12 and under, please call Brandeis Tickets at 781-736-3400.
8:00 PM: Student Events Film Series: Hocus Pocus
Schwartz Auditorium
Get into the Halloween spirit as you celebrate Fall Fest Weekend with friends and family by watching a childhood favorite. We put a spell on you, and now you can't help but love this movie. Student Events sure does!
8:00 PM: Brandeis Players presents Boeing Boeing
By Marc Camoletti
Translated by Beverley Cross & Francis Evans
Directed by Jason Haberman
Tickets: $5 (students $3), on sale at Brandeis Tickets
8:30 PM and 10:15 PM: Shabbat Walk
Leaving from Main Gate
Brandeis students will be available to walk families staying at the Newton Marriott back to the hotel.
9:00 PM: Judah Friedlander, World Champion & Stand-Up Comedian
Shapiro Gym (located in Gosman Sports and Convocation Center)
Take a break from your jet setting adventures around Brandeis and join us to watch the comedic talents of Judah Friedlander! Best known for his role as Frank Rossitano on Emmy award-winning “30 Rock”, Judah is also famous for his athletic prowess, impressive martial artistry, ceaseless charm, and dashing good looks. Also, his modesty. A self-proclaimed World Champion, Judah will undoubtedly entertain and wow you with his endless list of mind-blowing talents.
Tickets available NOW through Brandeis Tickets:
$15 general public
$10 Brandeis family members and Brandeis faculty & staff
$5 Brandeis students.