Next month (April) begins the shoulder months for heating/cooling. This is the time when temperatures range between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooler mornings followed by warmer afternoons make maintaining temperature comfort in our facilities a challenge. 

Most of the campus operates on a dual HVAC system. This means our system has to either be in heating mode or cooling mode and it can't not easily change between the two. It takes Facilities Services about 5 weeks to transfer from heating to cooling mode. Currently, we are in “heating” season but we will be switching to cooling mode starting April 1.

During April and the beginning of May, there will be days when your office/room temperature is not as warm, or cool, as you want it to be. We ask that everyone dress in layers to accommodate this. We also suggest using operable windows when the weather outside is more suitable to your liking.    

We understand that at times this may be uncomfortable but we ask for your patience during these New England shoulder months and this switch-over. On April 1, facilities will start to switch over to cooling first in the Science Buildings (~3 weeks), then will move to the Residence Halls and Academic Buildings. The complete switchover should be done the first week in May.  

Please review the building temperature policy located at on the Brandeis sustainability website.

To address the challenges and opportunities presented by Generative AI, a campus Working Group has been formed and invites all members of the campus community to provide input about their use and perceptions of AI. Please complete the 7-minute survey which corresponds to your role on campus by April 12:

• Faculty survey

• Staff survey (NB: if your position includes teaching, please still take the staff survey)

• Student survey (undergraduate and graduate)

Your responses will be valuable as the Working Group develops recommendations for the University's leadership on developing a framework of generative AIs at Brandeis, including learning opportunities and professional development for the campus community.

We are excited to offer an opportunity for faculty, staff and postdocs to purchase Celtics playoff tickets. To enter your name into the drawing for Celtics playoff tickets, please go to this form, and fill out the required information.

The tickets are for section loge 16, row 23, seats 5-6 and 7-8. The form will be active from today, to Monday, April 1 at noon. If you are selected to purchase tickets, you will receive an email with additional information. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Office of Finance and Administration.

The Office of Admissions will be welcoming admitted students and their families to visit Brandeis this spring for three different events, one of which takes place on a Friday. Families who drive to campus will be instructed to park in the Theater Lot. To alleviate congestion in the Theater Lot, we kindly ask Brandeis staff, who usually park there, to utilize Lot J (located across from University Office Park on Angleside Road). Our campus shuttle operates from the South Street @ Brandeis Commuter Rail Station on weekdays for convenient transportation. Walking from the Brandeis/Roberts Commuter Rail Station to campus takes approximately 10 minutes, but if you prefer, our shuttle service reduces travel time to less than 5 minutes.

For additional transportation information, please see the campus shuttle page. The "Inside Deis" admitted student events are scheduled for April 7, 13, and 19.

Thank you for your support in helping us bring the next class of Brandeis students to our community.

The Hornstein Professional Leadership Program is excited to announce the launch of a new online master’s certificate designed for working professionals. The four-course program is designed for Jewish professionals who wish to become effective leaders within the complex and ever-changing landscape of today’s Jewish nonprofit space. Registration is now open, enroll today for an October start!

Eligible staff and faculty may enroll and receive up to 100% tuition assistance. Please contact Brandeis Online with questions.

It’s that time of year to nominate two outstanding Brandeis staff members for The Lou Ennis Staff Award (exempt staff) and The Louis and Helen Zirkel Staff Award (nonexempt staff).

This is your opportunity to recognize an individual who excels in the performance of his/her job responsibilities and goes above and beyond to contribute to the well-being and the vitality of the University and the Brandeis community. Nominations of staff members for both the Ennis and Zirkel awards should include significant contributions made during the 2023 calendar year. Nominees must be full-time employees and in good standing. 

The winners of each award, and their supervisors, will be invited to attend the Employee Service Awards ceremony (date and location to be announced).

All nominations for the Ennis and Zirkel Awards are due to Human Resources on or before March 21. For more information and to access the nomination forms, please go to the employee recognition page.

The Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts, April 6-14 celebrates the abundant creativity of Brandeis students, faculty and staff, joined by distinguished guest artists. Join us April 6-14 and enjoy art and performances across campus. Most events are free and open to the public. Sunday, April 7, is Super Sunday, with special programming for family and community.

Be part of the Leonard Bernstein Festival of the Creative Arts | April 6-14! Staff are welcome to volunteer as audience greeters, backstage helpers, and in other roles, no matter what your level of experience or interests may be. Please submit this form to indicate your interest and we will be in touch with volunteer assignments. Feel free to email arts@brandeis.edu for more information.

On Wednesday, April 3, the Center for Spiritual Life will hold our annual memorial gathering in remembrance of those who have died in the past year. We will remember immediate members of the Brandeis community, as well loved ones of members of our community. Please join us at noon at the Peace Circle (between Usdan and the library) for a brief, reflective gathering.

Our hope is that this memorial service offers a measure of comfort and consolation to those grieving and strengthens our sense of community and solidarity. If you would like a loved one to be remembered at the service, please submit their name and a brief remembrance by Monday, March 25.

Brandeis is rich with religious diversity. Holidays celebrated by the Brandeis community in upcoming weeks include:

For more information on these and other holidays, visit the Center for Spiritual Life's Guide to Religious Observances. Did we miss a spiritual observance that is important to you? Please reach out to slife@brandeis.edu.

The Help Desk will close at noon on Friday, March 29. Support hours on March 28 and March 29 will be remote and via phone as the physical help desk will be closed for walkup support due to March break. Normal support hours will resume on April 1.

Upcoming library workshops & training:

• Graduate Writers' Workspace (campus/Zoom), 9 a.m. - noon, Friday, Mar. 22
• Using CAD Office Hours, Mondays, 10:30 p.m. - noon
• Open MakerLab Drop-in hours, Tuesdays, 5-7 p.m. & Thursdays, 2-4 p.m.
• GIS drop-in hours, Wednesdays, 2-3:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

• Faculty Drop-in Hours with an Archivist, Fridays, 3 - 4 p.m.

At this hybrid event, Brandeis faculty and teaching staff from various disciplines will share their experiences of integrating AI tools into their courses, both to enhance student learning and to support their teaching. Please RSVP for in-person or online attendance to help us plan.

As of March 1, 2024 the CDC advises that COVID be managed similarly to other viral respiratory illnesses. If you test positive for COVID-19 or believe you have a viral respiratory illness  you can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

1. your symptoms are getting better overall, and
2. you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

When you return to work, please take added precaution for the next 5 days and if you plan to be around high risk individuals. Learn more about Brandeis University's Guidelines for Faculty and Staff and Students.  View a graphic summary of new guidance.

Do you experience joint pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and/or decreased range of motion? If so, you may have arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most common type of arthritis, and most commonly involves the hands, spine, hips and knees. Although the prevalence of OA tends to increase with age, it’s not an inevitable part of growing older. You can help prevent joint problems by staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and eating more foods that reduce inflammation. Learn more about arthritis and resources available to you. 

KGA is Brandeis' Employee Assistance Program. This service is provided by Brandeis University and is available to you and your adult household members. This is a free and confidential program providing solutions and support on any number of work-life . Take a few minutes to learn more!

March 1 begins the seasonal safety campaign for Spring! With warmer weather on the horizon the Division of Emergency Management would like to remind everyone of some great resources available particularly as it relates to weather (Seguridad Meteorológica).

The Division of Emergency Management is pleased to announce the rollout of "Until the Help Arrives". A community based training with the overall goal of teaching participants basic skills to keep people with life threatening injuries alive until professional help arrives. Participants will learn: 

• Situational Awareness: Stay alert, identify threats, stay safe.
• Identifying Life Threats: Know what to look for and act fast.
• Bleed Control: Techniques like tourniquet use and wound care.
• Injury Management: Proper ways to move and position the injured.
• Psychological Support: Comforting the wounded in distress.
• Efficient 9-1-1 Communication: Ensure the right info gets through, fast.

This will be a modular based training delivered virtually. Visit the Emergency Preparedness website for upcoming dates and times.

BUSAC's purpose is to improve the work environment for Brandeis University staff through discussions and actions that influence policy, develop and enrich staff, and promote ongoing, meaningful, and deliberate improvements to the staff experience. Questions? Email busac@brandeis.edu.