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First-Year Experience

The First Year Experience Committee

Mission Statement

The First Year Experience Committee is an interdepartmental initiative dedicated to creating a well-rounded experience for all new undergraduate students at Brandeis University. In providing a forum for campus partners to coordinate services to first year students, we seek to provide a seamless transition to life at Brandeis. Our mission is to educate students about the diverse opportunities and resources available to foster their personal and academic development.

Goals

• Educate prospective students, their families and the community at large about the opportunities and resources at Brandeis that support a well-rounded first year experience
• Help new students to connect to the Brandeis community, its resources, faculty, staff, administrators and peers
• Create an opportunity for campus partners to coordinate developmental programs and services
• Assist campus partners in assessing their programs and services

The First-Year Experience Committee Initiatives:

PE 44A The First-Year Experience: Spirit, Mind and Body

This course has been offered in both the fall and spring semesters since the fall semester of 2005.  The course creates a unique and participatory learning environment in which first-year students are provided with the tools to help ensure their transition into Brandeis and success both in and out of the classroom. Specific topics include: Diversity, Approaching Faculty, Time and Stress Management, Health and Wellness, and Communication Skills, to name a few.  The course is coordinated and facilitated by the Department of Community Living.
Upcoming Fall 2010 Sections: T 10:30 am - 12:00 pm, W 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm, W 3:30 pm - 5:00, and Th 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm.

Faculty Mixer

Faculty from across campus are invited to introduce themselves, share personal college stories advice and mingle with new students in both the fall and spring semesters.  Faculty Mixers are coordinated by Academic Services/Roosevelt Fellows and the Department of Community Living.
Upcoming Faculty Mixer: Tuesday, September 14, 5-7 pm in the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Admissions Center.

Midyear Mixer

This dessert reception brings new and current Midyear students together in both the fall and spring semesters.  Midyear Mixers are coordinated by the Departments of Community Living, Orientation and Student Activities.
Upcoming Midyear Mixers: Thursday, October 14, time TBA.

Common Cause Communities (C3s)

The First-Year Common Cause Communities (C3s) brings together new students in a residential setting, who share an interest in building inclusive communities while also becoming actively involved in the community.  This environment encourages relationships, conversations, and reflection among students, staff, faculty, and community members about leadership, citizenship and responsibility.  The Department of Community Living coordinates this initiative.  There will be two C3s for first-year students in 2011-2012.  Mentoring Minds, a C3 in North Quad, focuses on community service and partners with the Junior Brandeis Achievers (JBA) to create after school programs for elementary school students.  Thinking Green, a C3 in Massell Quad, focuses on sustainability and environmental initiatives for the campus and beyond.  Students must apply to be a member of either community.

Stein Night

A night of karaoke and Brandeis Trivia at "the Stein" takes place on the first night of classes in both the fall and spring semesters. Stein Nights are coordinated by Academic Services/Roosevelt Fellows and the Department of Community Living.