For Parents
Your student should get to know their community advisor (CA) and area coordinator (AC)/assistant area coordinator (AAC).
CAs are specially selected and trained student leaders who live on the hall with students to be a resource in relation to any issues or concerns about life on campus. CAs also sponsor activities for the hall community to build social connections and help students navigate their Brandeis experience. CAs are on-call every night from 8 p.m.-9 a.m. for emergencies and can be contacted via Brandeis Police.
ACs are full-time professionals with advanced degrees who supervise CAs and support residents with significant concerns. Your student may interact with their AC for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, room changes, adjustment concerns or just to talk.
Establish expectations about when and how you will communicate with your student.
Will you speak every day? Text? Email? Talk to your student about what is right for you both. Try to limit the number of calls and texts per day to give your student a chance to establish on-campus connections and learn to solve problems for themselves. If you can't reach your student right away, they may be in class or at a student group-sponsored event. They'll call you back!
Coach your student to solve problems independently and find resources rather than you stepping in to solve problems on their behalf.
There are many student leaders and staff supports on campus to help your students find creative and effective solutions. Community Living leaders prefer to work with your student directly as they may have information that you don't.
First, determine what your student's principle issue is:
- Orientation events: Ask them to talk to their Orientation Leader.
- Roommate conflicts: Ask them to talk to their CA or AC. They're right around the corner!
- Facilities issues: Ask them to fill out a work order via the Facilities website.
- Dining concerns: Ask them to check in with Brandeis Hospitality in the lower level of Usdan.
- Technology troubleshooting: Ask them to stop by the LTS Help Desk located in the library.
- Your bill doesn't seem correct: Ask them to stop by Student Financial Services in Usdan.
Homesickness is normal.
Even though your student might want to spend weekends with family members/at home, encourage them to spend weekend time on campus. There are many programs, activities, movies and religious services going on! This is a key way for them to feel more at home while away at school and to make new friends.
