The university is deeply appreciative of the continued efforts made by our staff to support the university’s mission, our students and each other. We recognize the importance of work/life flexibility and time away from work to focus on yourself, your family and friends and to return to the workplace with renewed energy.

Departments/units may continue to offer a flexible or compressed schedule to eligible staff this summer beginning Monday, June 12 through Friday, Aug. 18 (excluding holiday weeks).

The University’s priority is to provide effective and efficient services to internal and external constituencies during all normal working hours, Monday through Friday. Therefore, it is important that flexible or compressed work schedules are approved by the department’s appropriate supervisor, in coordination with the Department Chair, Director, Dean, Vice President or Senior Vice President. Some departments may be unable to implement the program due to operational needs. Please visit the Human Resources web page for additional information. For any questions pertaining to this program, please contact Human Resources.

Give & Go, Brandeis' annual donation program is back, and members of the community are invited to volunteer to help monitor, tidy and/or sort donations that will help divert waste during move-out. The first day of volunteering is May 6 and runs every day until May 23. Donations will benefit great organizations like Grad Bag and Household Goods. See the office of sustainability website for more details and the signup form.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that the majority of severe or fatal heat-related illnesses occur within the first few days of working in a hot environment. This is most often due to the lack of acclimatization, the body’s ability to build a tolerance to the heat gradually over time. Please be aware of the weather, your surroundings, and how you’re feeling. Whether you're working indoors or outdoors, take the following steps to keep yourself healthy, and please review the OSHA Fact Sheet on Preventing Heat Illness at Work. If a heat related injury should occur, please let us know. Report the incident using this link to create an accident/injury report.

Pulse Connect Secure, the Brandeis-approved virtual private network (VPN) software that allows you to securely access and connect to systems and services on the Brandeis network when you are off campus, was rebranded to Ivanti Secure Access. The new name and look is now reflected in all software updates; nothing else has changed. The update is automatic, and users do not need to take any action. To learn more about the Ivanti Brandeis VPN, including instructions and sample screens, please visit the ITS website. If you have additional questions about Ivanti Secure Access, please contact the Help Desk at help@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4357.

Open to all members of the Brandeis community:

• Crafternoon: Bracelet Making!, noon - 1:30 p.m., Friday, May 5, Wednesday, May 10
• Therapy Dogs, noon - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, May 4, Friday, May 5, Friday, May 12

Open to all members of the teaching community:

• Celebration of Teaching at Brandeis Day, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Friday, May 5
• T+LL Salon, 12:30 - 1:50 p.m., Friday, May 12
• Course Design Institute, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mon - Thursday, May 22 - May 25

LATTE OPEN OFFICE HOURS:

• 1 - 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 10, May 17, May 24, May 31

Let's make Brandeis a safer workplace -- Brandeis Employees, Student Employees, and Lab Personnel, please use this new reporting tool if you've had an injury, accident, near-miss, or health and safety related issue while at Brandeis. Please keep this Quick Sheet on hand as a reminder should an accident occur. 

The Workday Human Resources Subcommittee, reporting to the parent Workday Advisory Committee, provides oversight and direction for the Workday Human Resources Module — approving and prioritizing changes stemming from Workday product releases and needs across campus. The subcommittee is led by Dana Sheehan, Associate Director of HR Operations, and includes representatives from Brandeis schools and departments. Representatives work with the Brandeis community to vet and advance requests to the subcommittee.

The IT Governance Program includes committees, processes, and communications that engage the Brandeis community. For more information about the IT Governance Committees, including the Workday Human Resources Subcommittee, to sign up for IT Governance WAC communications, or to learn about the requests or your committee representatives, please visit our updated IT Governance website.

A visual identity toolkit has been created to help all of us spread the excitement around the 75th anniversary celebration. The kit, available within the faculty and staff section of the website, provides access to the 75th anniversary logo and six images that can be used on general websites and general communications (like regular newsletters and email signatures). The visual identity toolkit may also be used to promote specific 75th anniversary-related events and activities as long as they have been approved.

We ask that everyone wait to use these materials until the start of the 75th anniversary, beginning in July. We look forward to celebrating this year across campus with you.