Connecting to Campus
Making social connections on campus can be very helpful for a student’s overall wellbeing - Explore the tips and resources below to learn ways to get connected at Brandeis!
Step 1: Explore your options for ways to connect to Brandeis!
This is a list of ongoing, drop-in or scheduled times for Brandeis students to have casual or structured connections through conversations on campus. Below, find links to campus resources and how to get connected with Brandeis community members who want to support students!
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- 30-Minute Appointments: Online (Academic Advising and Pre-Health Advising only). Advisor will initiate a phone or Zoom call.
- 20-Minute Same-Day Appointments: Available through the Academic Advising Drop-in Calendar. Appointments are made available each Thursday for the following week. Appointment blocks include 8-10 a.m., 1-4 p.m., and 5-7 p.m. Students are welcome to meet with any academic advisor to get quick questions answered.
- Roosevelt Fellows are a small group of junior and senior leaders who provide an informed and accessible student perspective on academics at Brandeis. They are trained by the Office of Academic Services as generalist peer academic advisors for all undergraduates with a focus on new students. Roosevelt Fellows offer weekly office hours and are available by appointment.
Visit the Academic Services website
Community Living supports all residential students on campus and can be reached at dcl@brandeis.edu. Community Advisors (CAs) are student leaders who live in the residence halls to serve as resources, provide support and hold hybrid online/in-person programs for students in the residence halls.
Visit the DCL Website
Express Appointments with Hiatt Advisors
Express appointments (20 minutes) are for students seeking quick help with application materials, Handshake, LinkedIn and other career-related questions. Express appointments are available during the academic year (when classes are in session) from 12-4 p.m. Monday- Friday.
Appointments
Let's collaborate! Whether you are looking for an internship or job, help in developing your application materials (like a resume or cover letter), practicing for an interview or preparing for graduate or law school, we can provide support in getting you where you want to be. Our career team works with all students, and we have our own backgrounds and specialties. Review our profiles and get to know who you will be working with.
Visit the Hiatt Career Center Website
Brandeis Hillel is committed to forging new friendships, meeting dedicated mentors, celebrating the Jewish calendar and engaging in service to others, all inspired by Jewish texts and traditions. Hillel Staff is here for you throughout your time at Brandeis. We can grab coffee, meet pastorally and learn informally together. This means you can find your niche — whether you want to find a spiritual home, volunteer and serve others, grapple with Israel and Jewish values, celebrate Shabbat or explore Jewish art and culture — we are here to help you and support you. Connect with the many Hillel professionals.
Visit the Brandeis Hillel Website
The Brandeis Intercultural Center is committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive haven where all students can come together to connect, build coalitions and cultivate mutual understanding. Our goal is to foster a sense of belonging and engagement within the Brandeis community and encourage sharing different cultural traditions and experiences.
The International Student Experience Project (inSTEP) is a collaborative initiative between the ISSO and Brandeis University campus partners for the holistic development of international undergraduate and international graduate students. inSTEP is an information hub which streamlines and highlights important support services offered across campus for international students. The inSTEP campus partners are here to support you during your time at Brandeis and beyond your graduation.
Held each year in August, the inSTEP Campus Partners coordinates the inSTEP Resource Fair for all new international students and all graduate students during the International Student Welcome Days and Graduate Student Orientation.
Visit the inSTEP Website
Business Hours: 9-5 p.m. Monday-Friday
Walk-In Advising Hours: 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday
ISSO Virtual Drop-In Hours:
Drop-in advising sessions are generally reserved for quick questions that require a 5- to 10-minute discussion with an ISSO advisor. If you have a more complex question, please schedule an appointment. To schedule a Zoom appointment with an ISSO advisor, please visit the You Can Book Me page.
Visit the ISSO Website
Whether you are new to Brandeis or a returning graduate student, the staff at Graduate Affairs are committed to helping you navigate your time in graduate school. Life as a graduate student is busy and stressful — we are here to support you in doing your best academically while also taking care of yourself. OGA Staff are available to meet by phone, Zoom or email — please feel free to reach out to any of us!
Visit the OGA Website
The Office of Health and Wellness Promotion (HAWP) is here to support your well-being so you can make the most of your time at Brandeis. We coordinate campus-wide health and wellness efforts through evidence-based promotion and prevention strategies, such as educational programs and events, health information and resources, and peer education. Follow @brandeiswellness on Instagram and TikTok to stay up to date on health and wellness information and opportunities. You can connect with a Bridge to Wellness (BTW) peer educator by following @brandeisbtw on Instagram or via email. You may also reach out to HAWP's professional staff by email or call 781-736-3678.
Visit the HAWP Website
The Ombuds Office is a year-round office open to the entire university community (students, staff, faculty and anyone with a relationship or concern relating to Brandeis). We meet with visitors virtually by Zoom, in person or by phone. We are a confidential resource for anyone who has no idea where to turn for support or to get an answer to a big or small concern relating to anything that is limiting their ability to function fully. The Ombuds Team is not an institutional reporter.
Schedule a visit
To make an appointment, leave a confidential voice message at 781-736-2265 or send a non-confidential email.
Visit the Ombuds Website
The Prevention, Advocacy & Resource Center provides education, empowerment and confidential support related to violence, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence and stalking. PARC's highly trained Peer Advocates are undergrad and graduate students prepared to support you in a variety of ways, such as discussing your options, helping you create a safety plan to stay physically and emotionally safer on campus, or simply listening without judgment.
You can connect with our PARC Peer Advocates from 12-5 p.m. Monday-Friday any day classes are in session by attending our drop-in hours in Usdan G-108 or via our chatline. You may also request to meet with PARC's professional staff by emailing us or calling 781-736-3371.
Visit the PARC Website
Step 2: Reach out!
Below are some ideas for conversation starters with faculty, staff and peers when reaching out to get involved in Brandeis activities!
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Remember, office hours aren't just for asking about a paper or an upcoming exam, they're about forming a relationship with someone who might become a professional mentor or write you a recommendation letter someday
- What was your path to teach/do research at Brandeis?
- What are/were some key relationships/mentorships for you in your career?
- What do you like best about your field of study?
- What do you wish you could change about your field of study?
- I'm interested in _________. What do you suggest I read or who do you suggest I try to meet at Brandeis/in the Boston/national area?
- I want to make sure I'm on the right track about ______ from class. Can you help?
Co-curricular, wellness, facilities, anyone who works at Brandeis who doesn’t teach
- How do you describe how your role contributes to the Brandeis community?
- What are/were some key relationships/mentorships for you in your career?
- I have an idea about ______ that could improve _______ at Brandeis. How do you suggest I proceed?
- What I want most from my time at Brandeis is __________. Who do you suggest I meet or what steps should I consider?
- I'm interested in _________. What do you suggest I read or who do you suggest I try to meet at Brandeis/in the Boston/national area?
Club officer, Fellow, tutor, Community Advisor, etc.
- I am concerned about/interested in ___________. Are you interested in that?
- I need help with understanding ___________. Can you help or point me to someone who can?
- I am overwhelmed with __________. What do you suggest?
- I've been thinking about _____from class. Do you want to connect outside class time to chat about it?
- I heard about a fun program about _____. Would you like to go together?
- I remember you said ______ in class. I thought it was very interesting and would love to talk more!
- Would you like to work on ________ assignment together?
