Watch out for our colleagues in Campus Planning and Operations who are recognizing the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness this month. Pink cookies will be served in the dining halls. Facilities Services staff - custodians, grounds people, and trades people - will be wearing pink T shirts throughout the month. Public Safety officers are participating in the #PinkPatchProject and have replaced the traditional blue Brandeis badges on their uniforms with pink patches. We ask that supporters make a minimum of a $5.00 donation, and we will send you a Brandeis University Police pink patch as a thank you. For additional information and to donate please visit the Public Safety Donation page.

Bring your family to campus this Saturday, October 9 for Homecoming 2021! Our annual celebration of Brandeis Athletics will feature men's and women's UAA soccer matches vs Case Western, two volleyball matches and fun for the whole family, including food trucks, petting zoo, pony rides, and much more. For full information and a schedule of events, visit BrandeisJudges.com/Homecoming.

The 2022 Annual Benefits Open Enrollment for faculty, staff, and post doctoral scholars will begin on Nov. 1 and run through Nov, 12. This is the once-a-year opportunity for benefits eligible employees to evaluate their benefits and make any necessary changes. Details to follow later in October.

Facilities Services will start the seasonal switchover from cooling to heating season on October 12. Beginning with Residence Halls, then Academic and Science Buildings. The switchover process will continue through November 1.

During this time some buildings may be warmer or cooler depending on the New England weather. Should you feel there is an issue with your heating system you may enter a service request on the Facilities Services website.

Once completed, Brandeis Facilities Services will do our best to maintain a comfort level of 68-71 degrees per our energy Conservation and Management Policy. If you have any questions, please contact Matt McPhee at matthewmcphee@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4377.

With this issue, InBrief is proud to begin the periodic profiling of a Brandeis staff member as part of its regular news offerings. All Brandeis community members are invited to submit their "human interest" stories of a Brandeis Staff member for inclusion in a future issue. If you have any questions or would like to submit a story, please contact Gail Jordan at gmcjordan@brandeis.edu.

It’s likely that many of you have seen a hawk soaring overhead - their wings spread as they glide through the sky. It’s less likely to see the majestic raptor up close and perched atop your car and taking up residence behind Goldfarb Library. Last month, many staff from ITS and the Library had this very experience as they gently tried to nudge the bird off their vehicles and to take to the skies. The seemingly uninjured hawk’s presence lingered from one day to the next and its unusual behavior prompted staffers to seek help.

Carroll Hardin, Sr. Desktop Systems Specialist in ITS, and avid animal lover shares her story of the unexpected rescue and how the AnimalHelpNow mobile app put wildlife assistance, literally, in the palm of her hands. Read the full story, view photos of the hawk’s journey from library stacks to a treatment facility, and learn more about how you can help a feathered or furry campus visitor.

Public Safety can now be found on social media. Please follow public safety using the following links:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandeisPSD
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandeis_psd/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandeisPSafety

If you have any questions, please contact Matt Rushton at mrushton@brandeis.edu.

FRESH is now located in the Game Room on the ground floor of Usdan. We will provide free access to non-perishable foods and hygiene products for all Brandeis students and employees. No proof of need required.

Want fresh, local produce? Warner Farm is donating approximately 20+ pounds of fresh produce every Thursday until October 22. On a first come, first serve basis, 10 students per week may reserve a free 1-2 pound share of farm fresh vegetables to pick-up at Spingold Theater on campus by completing the CSA reservation form. To ensure enough produce is available to subscribing members, registered students may pick up their items between 6:15 - 6:30 p.m. We apologize for the limited window of time.

Support FRESH! Join the Brandeis FRESH Team for the annual Ride For Food fundraiser. You can bike/spin/walk/hike on your own schedule (virtually) to raise funds and support the FRESH food pantry until November 30. Visit our website for more information on how to register. Brandeis students can register for FREE using code FRESH21.

Starting Monday, Nov. 1, users who have not updated their Zoom desktop client in the last 9 months, will be required to update the application. The update process doesn’t take very long, but can be an inconvenience if the forced update occurs when you’re about to start a meeting. You can avoid running into the forced update by periodically ensuring that your Zoom client is running the latest version which will give you access to all of the latest features and security enhancements. Please visit the Zoom support page for detailed instructions on how to update your Zoom application or refer to the following summary: open the Zoom desktop client on your computer, click on your initials in the top right corner of the application, then select “check for updates”. For questions or assistance, contact the Technology Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu.

The University Events Office has created an online reservation request form to better understand the needs of our campus partners for their events. The form should not take more than 5 minutes of your time and will help us understand the scope of your event and how to identify appropriate space. We ask that you submit this form no less than 15 business days prior to the event. The recommended planning time for events is a 6 week lead time however, we can accommodate most requests in this 15 day period. Event details must be confirmed with UEO no later than 10 business days prior to your event to ensure all your event needs are met. For questions please call us at 781-736-4300 or email us at ueo@brandeis.edu.

The payroll department is asking all faculty and staff to check/update their primary home address so that we have the correct address in Workday. If you need assistance, please review the Workday job aid.

If your actual work location is not on the Brandeis campus, and is in a state other than MA, then you need to contact Human Resources to have your work location updated.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@brandeis.edu or the Payroll Department at payroll@brandeis.edu.

Starting Oct. 11, Duo Mobile is getting a new user interface. Duo Mobile is used for two-factor authentication to protect your Brandeis account. Duo has designed the changes to make the login experience better by updating the position of the "approve"/ "deny" buttons so that "approve" is on the right, a more natural location; and to improve the accessibility of the app. There is no change to the core functionality of Duo Mobile (e.g., receiving Duo Push, using passcodes, or managing accounts). All of your accounts will continue to be present after the update.

No action is required on your part. If you have enabled automatic app updates on your device, Duo Mobile will update automatically (iOS: Oct. 11-18; Android: Oct. 11-15). You can also manually update Duo Mobile by visiting the Apple Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Visit the ITS website to view additional information about the upcoming change including a preview of the redesigned interface. For questions, contact the Technology Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4357.

Are you teaching students attending in-person and virtually at the same time? Bring your questions, bring your frustrations, and bring your success stories! This event is a question and answer session, with hybrid teaching and technology experts available to help find solutions. Join a community of faculty and staff members willing to support, uplift, and learn from each other. The Q&A Panel will be held twice via Zoom, on October 20 at 2 p.m. and October 29 at 12 p.m. Registration is available on the Library Workshop Calendar.

In accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), each year Brandeis is required to distribute a Summary Annual Report (SAR) for the Brandeis University Group Benefit Plans. The reports summarize the annual financial information noted on the Federal Form 5500 annual returns which has been filed with the IRS. You may access the reports by visiting the Office of Human Resources website.

Fidelity and TIAA continue to offer very informative live and on demand webinars. Watch and participate in practical web workshops, where you’ll learn strategies and tips to help manage your financial future with confidence.

Upcoming topics include:

• October 12, Looking to Turn your Retirement Savings into a "Paycheck" for Life (register)

• October 12, Ask Fidelity: Understanding Your Retirement Plan and All it Has to Offer (register)

• October 14, Be a Cyber-Hero, Protect you, your family and your money (register)

• November 3, Maximize Your Social Security in Retirement Strategy (register)

Please visit Human Resources website to view more information and registration details.

The Workday@Brandeis team would like to inform the community that Workday has announced requirements for minimum operating systems as follows:

Apple iOS - starting Oct. 25, the mobile app will only be supported on iPhone and iPad devices running iOS 14 and higher. Future updates and support will no longer be available for iOS13 or lower.

Google Android OS - effective Aug. 30, the mobile app will only support devices with Android 7.0 or higher. Future updates and support will no longer be available for Android 6.0 or lower.

We recommend checking the version on your smartphone or tablets and updating to a supported operating system. For detailed instructions, visit the Apple or Google support articles on how to update iOS on iPhone or check and update your Android, respectively. For assistance, contact the Technology Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu.

The learning management system (LMS) assessment announced over the summer is progressing on schedule. Members of the Academic Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC) approved the search process and selection of an external consulting firm, SharperPoint Consulting Group LLC, to conduct the assessment. The project is underway and will consist of interviews, listening sessions, an evaluation of the LMS landscape at peer institutions, a financial analysis, and a support model review.

The project team has begun scheduling interviews with faculty, staff and students and is reviewing system data and documentation. Two campus listening sessions – open to the entire Brandeis community – are scheduled for early November. Please join the team to share your feedback about LATTE.

• Session 1: Tues., Nov. 2, 1 - 2 p.m.
• Session 2: Wed., Nov. 10, 1 - 2 p.m.

We will continue to share updates on the assessment and subsequent findings in upcoming news briefs. For questions, please contact Jonathan Estwing.

Interested in learning more about how to protect yourself from phishing attacks? Join the ITS Security team for a security awareness webinar on Thursday, Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to noon. The session will provide an overview of social engineering, highlight how to spot phishing messages designed to get your personal data, and talk about the potential consequences of these cyber attacks. The event coincides with National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Learn simple tips and tricks on how to #FightThePhish and how to maintain a secure computing environment for yourself and the university. Register to attend the upcoming webinar. Please send any questions you have ahead of time to security@brandeis.edu.

Visit the ITS website for more security tips and tricks and helpful resources including how to create secure passwords or staying digitally safe. For more information about security awareness, contact the ITS Security team at security@brandeis.edu.

Brandeis International Business School offers part-time options for its master’s programs. Students may pursue the MBA, Master of Arts in International Economics and Finance, Master of Science in Business Analytics or Master of Science in Finance by completing one or two classes at a time. A virtual Employee Information Session will be held October 12 at 12:00 p.m. for Brandeis employees who want to learn more. RSVP for the login information, and contact the Admissions Office at globaladmissions@brandeis.edu with any questions.

This time of year is full of holidays in the Hindu religion.

Navaratri, or the nine sacred nights dedicated to the Mother Goddess, are celebrated this year October 7 - 15.  The celebrations of Navaratri are held at night because it represents our overcoming the ignorance of the mode of darkness.

Dhusshera is celebrated on the tenth day of Navaratri. This signifies the victory of Lord Rama over the demon Ravana, which also represents the false ego. On this day there is often a huge bonfire in which people burn the effigy of Ravana. Thus, it is a festival which shows the process by which humanity can reach the perception of God.

More information on these and other holidays can be found on the Spiritual Life webpage Guide to Religious Observances.

October 19 - Milad al-Nabi in the Muslim religion

The Prophet Muhammad was born in the year 570 CE in Mecca, an oasis town in the Arabian peninsula believed to have been founded by Hagar while she awaited the return of her husband, the Prophet Abraham. While the exact date of the Prophet Muhammad's birth is debated, many single out one of the possible dates to celebrate all the blessings that his prophecy brings to the world. On the 12th day of the Islamic lunar month of Rabi' al-Awwal, many Muslims the world over gather to recite poems recounting the biography and especially the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

Shop for handmade jewelry, ceramics, knitwear and more, made by more than 30 Brandeis students, staff and faculty members. Sponsored by Brandeis Arts Engagement.

Sign up for a library workshop:

• 2 part Excel series: Introduction to Excel, Part 1, Fri., Oct.22, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. and Excel with Excel: Overview, Tips and Tricks. Part II, Fri., Oct. 29, 12:15 - 1:30 p.m.
• The Beginnings of Brandeis: a History in Pictures, Tue., Oct. 12, 10 - 10:30 a.m. 
• Basic Statistics, Tue., Oct. 12, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
• Advanced Literature Searching for Science Students, Tue., Oct. 12 , 8 - 8:50 p.m.
• How to build and deploy your personal website, Thur., Oct. 14 , 3:30 - 5 p.m.
• Intro to CAD with TinkerCAD, Fri., Oct. 15, 10 - 11 a.m.
• Researching in Archives, Mon., Oct. 18, 10 - 10:30 a.m.
• Text Analysis using R, Tue., Oct. 19, noon - 1 p.m.
• Teaching with Archives, Wed., Oct. 20, 1 - 1:30 p.m. 
• Qualitative Research Analysis: Intro to Atlas.ti 9 ( Mac users) -Online, Wed., Oct. 20, noon - 1 p.m. 
• Introduction to Arduino Electronics Workshop, Weekly, Tuesdays, 2:30 - 4 p.m.
• Digital Scholarship Lab Access Orientation, Weekly, Wednesdays, 9 - 9:45 a.m.
• Brandeis MakerLab, Automation Lab and Digital Scholarship Lab Tour!, Weekly, Thursdays, 9 - 10 a.m.
• How to build and deploy your personal website, Thu., Oct. 21, 3:30 - 5 p.m.
• Intro to CAD with TinkerCAD, Fri., Oct. 22, 10 - 11 a.m.
• Using the Jamboard software for Teaching, Weekly, Wednesdays, 10 - 10:30 a.m.
• Weekly LATTE Drop-In hours, covering topics such as Discussion Forums, Quiz Activity, and Rubrics.

The Department of Community Service is recruiting undergraduate students to apply for the Rich/Collins Community Leadership & Impact Fellowship Program. This is a one-of-a-kind, prestigious leadership opportunity where undergraduate students can apply for grant funding (between $500-$4,000) to implement a community impact project during the Spring semester, while receiving a $600 personal stipend and engaging in a close-knit cohort leadership development series. You can see great examples from previous projects on our website. As you'll notice, the list of possibilities are endless. That being said, this year we are intentionally encouraging projects that support the Waltham community and racial justice work.

If you know of any amazing students that you believe would be great Fellows, please recommend them to us or encourage them to attend one of our upcoming information sessions. For questions regarding this Fellowship, please email rccliff@brandeis.edu or Community Service Specialist, Samantha de Melim, who is overseeing this initiative. Applications close Sunday, October 24 at 11:59 p.m.

The well-being of the Brandeis community and campus remain a top priority during these times. To support our managers, staff and faculty during COVID-19 and our Fall 2021 planning, and as part of professional development, we are offering the following trainings and workshops via Zoom from 10–11 a.m. on the following dates:

• Thursday 10/14 – Support for Return to the Workplace for Employees
• Tuesday 10/19 – Work/Home/Self – Keeping Balance in Your Life
• Thursday 10/28 – Time Management
• Wednesday 11/10 – Making Change Work for You

For a complete description of the workshops visit the Human Resources website. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4474.

Effective Oct. 19, the Brandeis Sponsored Accounts system will be retired and replaced with Contingent Worker accounts in Workday. As of Oct. 19, the ability to create new Sponsored Accounts will be disabled. If you previously created sponsored accounts for individuals who do not qualify for another account type, please request a Contingent Worker Account. Sponsored Accounts created prior to Oct. 19 will continue to function as expected. Starting Oct. 19, all existing Sponsored Accounts will be converted to a Contingent Worker account and will maintain the same expiration date. ITS will be contacting individuals who currently serve as a sponsor with additional information and instructions on how to review the sponsored account.

Please visit the ITS website to learn more about this project including the difference between Sponsored Accounts and Contingent Worker accounts. For questions, please contact Jonathan Estwing.

Go to www.ndbh.com and log in selecting “Employee Assistance Program” and using the company code: brandeis university. Scroll down to the bottom of the home page to register for live webinars.
For all webinars there are sessions at noon – 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.

• Wednesday 11/10 – Thriving in Uncertainty
  The unknown is a scary thing. It can be difficult to plan or figure out what to do next. Discover how to embrace uncertainty and navigate it with poise and resiliency.
• Wednesday 11/17 – Managing with Flexibility
  When facing change or uncertainty, one of the greatest traits a leader can have is flexibility. In this session, learn how to modify your style and approach to leadership to overcome challenges and achieve goals.
• Monday 12/13 – The Art of Listening
  Listening is the foundation of conversation and a skill that requires practice. In this session, learn how to listen actively and respond thoughtfully for better communication and understanding.
• Monday 12/20 – Actively Managing Conflict
  For a manager, being equipped to treat conflict as an asset instead of a liability is a true measure of leadership. In this session, supervisors acquire the essential tools, skills and processes to help them achieve healthy and responsive conflict resolution.

If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4474.