The Biden-Harris administration recently announced that effective January 15, private health insurers will be required to cover the cost of up to eight (8) FDA-approved at-home COVID-19 tests per member, per month. Our partners at Tufts Health Plan are in the process of determining how best to implement this requirement, with a focus on minimizing up-front costs for our members. Updates to Tufts COVID-19 policies will be published to the Tufts COVID-19 Resource Center shortly.

Please continue to check the COVID-19 Response website for more details about COVID policies, protocols and guidance.

Brandeis faculty, staff, and students should continue to direct all tech-related inquiries by submitting a help request, sending an email to help@brandeis.edu, or calling 781-736-4357. A knowledgeable team of technology support specialists is ready to help you! Starting Jan. 18, you can book an appointment for on-site assistance. In February, the team will resume regular support hours. Visit the ITS website to view the complete Help Desk schedule for Spring term 2022. The team will continue to adhere to university and health guidelines to ensure the safety of both the team and the community.

Help us ensure the timely acknowledgment and stewardship of donors to Brandeis by promptly delivering any donation checks and gift documentation – including the postmarked envelope and any correspondence, to the Institutional Advancement Gift Administration secure lockbox located at 51 Sawyer Road, Suite 200. The Sawyer Road building is open and accessible weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. If sending via interoffice mail, please send to MS126. Any questions or inquiries should be directed to 1-800-333-1948 or email at giving@brandeis.edu.

In light of the recent Omicron surge, some aspects of Dining Services will look significantly different for the start of the spring semester. These changes are being made with everyone’s safety as the top priority. Please visit the Dining webpage for what to expect and how to navigate dining when returning to campus.

Collaborating with our pharmacy partner VaxinateRx, vaccination appointments will be available to Brandeis students, faculty and staff who are 18 years of age or over (pediatric vaccination doses for children and minors will not be offered at these clinics). Both Pfizer and Moderna boosters will be offered on the following dates in the Hassenfeld Conference Center (Levine-Ross Room):

• January 20, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• January 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• January 25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• February 1*, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• February 9*, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• February 16*, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

*The February dates will open for registration in late January.

Pre-register online at the VaxinateRX Scheduling Portal and select the vaccine you would like to receive.

Bring your COVID-19 Vaccination Card and health insurance card to your appointment (though shots are free of charge, regardless of insurance or insurance status). You will be presented with a consent document onsite.

If you have questions on the booster shot registration process, please contact VaxinateRX at info@VaxinateRx.com. If you have questions on submitting your booster card (when/if applicable), please contact Occupational Health Services at occhealth@brandeis.edu.

Over the winter break, Media Technology Services commissioned 14 additional classrooms with HyFlex technology to accommodate remote learning. HyFlex technology-enabled classrooms include both cameras and microphones that connect directly to the computer for use with Zoom. Select classrooms also include integrated Echo360 automated lecture capture systems for recording class sessions. These recent upgrades bring the total number of Brandeis classrooms with upgraded HyFlex technology to 78.

As we prepare to return to in-person learning on Tuesday, Feb. 1, MTS is available to meet faculty individually or in small groups in classrooms to assist with technology questions. To request assistance in a classroom, please contact Media Technology Services at mts@brandeis.edu.

Brandeis Athletics is excited to bring back the We ‘B’ Wellness challenge. Join the Brandeis community for a one-month fitness & wellness challenge by attending virtual and in-person programming to rack up points and win prizes. This year’s challenge begins on January 23. Sign up using promo code WELLNESS22 for a 30 point bonus, enough for a prize in the We The Jury prize store. Visit Brandeisjudges.com/WeBwellness for additional information.

Student Employment - Minimum Wage Increase - On January 1, 2022, MA minimum wage increased from $13.50 to $14.25.  All student employees who were below $14.25 have had their wages increased to the new minimum.

Mid-Year Student Employment Session - A virtual information session on student employment will be held during mid-year orientation on Sunday, January 16 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Please refer to the guidebook app for more information and the link to join the session.  

Student Employment Staff Updates - SFS and Finance are excited to introduce Kaleigh Ferguson, the new Student Employment and Financial Services Coordinator. Kaleigh started on Nov. 15 and has begun taking over the daily operations of student employment while Kristyn Burke, now the Manager of Student Employment and the Assistant Payroll Manager, takes on some new payroll responsibilities. Kaleigh uses they/them pronouns. Kaleigh is an alum (class of 2019) and we are thrilled to welcome them back to Brandeis.

The spring semester bill was due on December 15, 2021. Registration holds and late fees have been placed on student accounts with outstanding balances. Students should pay any outstanding balances as soon as possible to retain their enrollment in the spring semester.

Students should access the Nelnet Student Account Portal, using the link provided in their Student Account worklet in Workday, to view e-bills and account transactions, make payments and manage monthly payment plans.

If students have not already done so, please complete the following steps to ensure account access:

1. Set-up Nelnet account - Students should log in to the Nelnet Student Account Portal to set up their student profile. Refer to the Nelnet - Account Access job aid for detailed instructions.
2. Add parent or authorized parties access - Students who would like parents, sponsors, or other third parties, to view their student account and make payments will need to set these individuals up as Authorized Parties in Nelnet. Refer to the Nelnet – Manage Payers job aid for detailed instructions. Students should not share their Nelnet log-in credentials with their parents. They must set up parents as Authorized Parties with their own log-in credentials.

The Office of Sponsored Programs Accounting (SPA) is excited to announce that Effort Reporting in Workday is coming on Tuesday, Feb. 1. As a recipient of federal funding, Brandeis University is required to verify that all payroll costs charged to federal agreements correspond to actual work (effort) performed on sponsored projects. This ensures external sponsors only reimburse the university for the effort expended on projects.

Over the upcoming months, Effort Reporting in Workday will replace the current paper-based process. By transitioning to Workday, this enables us to have an efficient and transparent effort certification process. SPA is currently partnering with the Workday Training team to develop a comprehensive library of resources to assist employees who currently have a role with Effort Reporting with a seamless transition to Workday. The team has developed step-by-step job aids, video tutorials and will be holding virtual training sessions in the upcoming weeks. SPA will be reaching out directly to departmental staff and Principal Investigators with additional information.

For more information about the transition to Workday or questions, please do not hesitate to contact SPA at spa@brandeis.edu.

The financial aid renewal application deadline for the 2022-2023 academic year will be March 1, 2022. Students receiving need-based scholarship funds must submit the 2022-2023 CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE, the 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and copies of 2020 student and parent Federal Income Tax Returns. Students who wish to apply only for federal sources of financial aid need only complete the FAFSA (taxes will be requested upon receipt of this application only if necessary). An e-mail detailing the renewal process will be sent to students and parents during the intersession.