Division of Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs at Brandeis University under the leadership of the Vice President, serves the needs and interests of students and has broad responsibility for the services and activities that enhance the quality of student life outside the classroom. .
Athletics has been an integral part of the life of the Brandeis University community since the department was founded in 1951.The Department of Athletics and Physical Education encompasses varsity, club, intramural sports and physical education classes.
Brandeis offers 21 teams in 12 varsity sports, competing at the NCAA Division III level. The Judges are part of the University Athletic Association (UAA), a unique Division III affiliation. In addition to its varsity sports, Brandeis offers 22 competitive club sports and 13 intramural programs. In 2006-07, more than 3000 participants competed in at least one IM sport. Brandeis has a physical education requirement that can be fulfilled with two PE classes in four years. Approximately 35 classes are offered each semester.
The centerpiece of Brandeis athletics is the Joseph P. and Clara Ford Athletic and Recreation Complex, one of the largest and best-equipped, multipurpose, indoor athletic facilities in the Northeast.
The Chaplaincy is located in the Usdan Student Center, 133. The University’s three chapels, the Berlin Chapel (Jewish), the Bethlehem Chapel (Catholic), and the Harlan Chapel (Protestant), serve the Brandeis community under the operation of the Hillel Foundation, the Bethlehem Chapel Community, and the Harlan Chapel Christian Community. A Muslim Prayer Room and Resource Center is located in the basement of the Usdan Student Center. Both traditional and innovative services are held regularly, as well as other ceremonies such as weddings, christenings, and confirmations. There are many clubs and organizations available on campus for those seeking information or fellowship. The Hillel Foundation, the Catholic Student Organization, the Brandeis Muslim Student Association and the Christian Fellowship all strive to meet the religious needs of the Brandeis community. For more information about specific services, please contact the Chaplaincy at x63570.
The Department of Community Service is dedicated to providing relevant volunteer experiences to students and the greater Brandeis community according to the needs of the local community and skills and interests of the Brandeis community. The department strives to establish sustainable and reciprocal partnerships with community governmental, educational, cultural and social service agencies. They advise and support Community Service initiatives with the community partners.
Graduate Student Services strives to provide graduate students with information about graduate student life on the Brandeis campus, as well as to give general information about some places off-campus we think will be helpful to know. GSS also hosts a number of events, both social and intellectual, throughout the year.
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The Brandeis University Intercultural Center is dedicated to creating a haven of respect, education, and celebration that aims to foster growth and awareness of the myriad cultures of Brandeis University. The Center fosters a welcoming community, where diverse experiences and perspectives are valued; and dedication to the understanding of cultures and ethnicities is essential. The Intercultural Center is devoted to cultural diversity programming; offering various, exciting, opportunities to engage yourself in the Brandeis University Community. The Center is equipped with computers, printers, a conference room, kitchen, lobby, and other resources for your use.
The Psychological Counseling Center
The Counseling Center provides assistance from psychologists, psychiatrists, or counselors is available to you at the Psychological Counseling Center, located in the Mailman House, x63730.
Feel free to visit the center; your visits will be kept confidential. Counseling should be viewed as a good opportunity for personal growth, as well as a way to solve problems. To make an appointment, simply drop in and let the administrative assistant know what times are best for you, or call x63730. The Center is open from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and a staff member is always on call during the academic year. In the case of a psychiatric emergency after regular hours, you can get further instructions by listening to the voice message at the same phone number.
Orientation and First-Year Programs
Orientation and First-Year Programs develops, advises, manages and evaluates all elements of a comprehensive New Student Orientation Program for both the Fall arrivals and the Midyear students. The orientation program is designed, coordinated and implemented by an Orientation Core Committee of student leaders who are chosen through a selective process in the fall.
The First-Year Programs that extend from Orientation are a yearlong series that complement and extend the educational mission of the University and focus on first year student development, transfer connections, and commuter involvement in the Brandeis community. First-Year programs provide opportunities for and encourage increased contact between first year students, their advisors, faculty, staff and the community as a whole. The programs specifically address the core values developed within the Division of Student Life and focus on developing the whole student.
The Department of Residence Life is dedicated to supporting and encouraging the personal development and academic success of each student in our residential community through purposeful programs and services that complement the total educational experience at Brandeis University. To fulfill its responsibilities as an institution of higher learning, Brandeis seeks to provide an atmosphere where students can live, learn, and mature under circumstances conducive to fostering self-respect, self-direction, social dignity, and academic progress. Student directed programs and services are developed within a holistic framework by a staff of 75 upper-class students known as Community Advisors (CAs), as well as, live-in professional staff (Quad Directors). Our goal is to empower and develop leadership and respect in our students who will in turn influence the University community and beyond. These are the hallmarks of the residential experience at Brandeis University.
The Department of Student Activities at Brandeis University is a major part of students' lives outside of the classroom. Our main objectives are: to provide social and educational events both on and off campus, to provide developmental opportunities for students to learn real life skills through participation in our planning committees or our leadership programs, and to work hand-in-hand with our over 200 student clubs and organizations.
The Shapiro Campus Center and the Usdan Student Center are the homes to social life here on campus. Administratively driven and student managed, the Shapiro Campus Center is the hub of club activity. Housing over 20 student organizations and five professional departments, the Shapiro Campus Center bustles with activity late into the evening with Einstein's Coffee Shop and the 24 hour accessible computer lab. Its state-of-the-art theatre is the home to undergraduate theatre and other arts related organizations. In addition to the Shapiro Campus Center, the department also supervises the game room and the Student Service Bureau in the Usdan Student Center and the student run coffeehouse, Cholmondeley's. For more information about our programs and services, please click here.
Student Development and Conduct (SDC)
Student Development and Conduct works with students to provide educational opportunities for personal growth, and values clarification. Our aim is to educate the campus about our core values, and to react to inappropriate behavior in a fair and responsive manner. In addition, the SDC staff provides education regarding alcohol and other drug use, interpersonal communication, academic integrity, and leadership development.