Public Safety is excited to announce an important upgrade to our campus emergency response system, making it even easier for you to get immediate assistance when you need it. As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing campus safety, we are transitioning away from the old 6x3333 number. From now on, for any emergency, please dial 911.

In collaboration with ITS, this change will help eliminate any confusion and allow for improved response time to emergencies. It’s as easy as 9-1-1! Remember, in case of an emergency, keep it simple – dial 911 for fast, reliable assistance.

Come celebrate Thanksgiving at the Faculty Club! This year's annual Faculty Club Thanksgiving buffet-style lunch will feature a variety of traditional favorites along with new offerings including house-made mocktails and desserts. Reservations are strongly recommended. Green boxes will be available for take out.

• Wednesday, November 20, 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m.
• Thursday, November 21, 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m.
• Faculty Club Dining Room
• $19 per person
• Reservations accepted through November 15: catering@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4331

The 2025 Benefits Open Enrollment period will take place this year between now and November 8. This is the once-a-year opportunity for benefits-eligible employees to evaluate and make changes to benefits, absent a qualifying event. Changes made during the open enrollment period will take effect January 1, 2025.

Open Enrollment Session – To Learn about your Benefits

• Monday, November 5, Zoom, 9 - 10 a.m., Register

Whether you’re exploring new plan options or looking for a refresher, these sessions will provide valuable insights and guidance. We want to make sure you understand what's offered and pick the best plans and coverage for you and your family. Review your current benefits.

Join us to learn about what's new for 2025.

• FSA Switching from Grace Period to Carryover
• Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LPFSA), a new option to compliment those enrolled/enrolling in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Saving Account (HSA)

The TAP mid-year review for staff is launching soon for employees hired on or before September 1. The capability to enter mid-year reviews into Workday will launch on Monday, November 11 and all mid-year reviews must be completed on or before Friday, December 6. Training sessions for managers and staff will begin the week of November 4 and resources are posted on the HR TAP website. Contact HR for any questions.

In advance of the spring bill coming in late November, which will be due on December 16, new students should access the Nelnet Student Account Portal to set up an account and add authorized parties. 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 - Refer to the Nelnet - Add Authorized 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.

We will send a notification to students and authorized parties when the information is ready in Nelnet.

Sign up for one of our 30-minute, one-on-one financial literacy sessions! We hope that you will take advantage of this great opportunity to ask questions about budgeting, managing debt, understanding your paycheck, W-2’s etc. Please click here to book an appointment today!

Upcoming Library workshops

• Intro to Vinyl Cutting & 2D Graphics, 10 - 11 a.m., Monday, November 4
• Intro to Soldering, 2:30 - 4 p.m., Monday, November 4
• Text Analysis using R, noon - 1 p.m., Thursday, November 7
• Intro to Vinyl Cutting & 2D Graphics, 10 - 11 a.m., Monday, November 11
• Intro to Soldering, 2:30 - 4 p.m., Monday, November 11
• Open MakerLab Hours, Mondays 2:30-4:30 p.m., Wednesdays 1-3 p.m., Thursday 2:30-4:30 p.m.
• CAD Office Hours, 10:30 a.m. - noon, Mondays

Moodle workshops

• Moodle Open Office Hours, 11 - 11:50 a.m., Monday, November 4
• Moodle Gradebook Workshop, 2 - 2:50 p.m., Tuesday, November 12
• Moodle Open Office Hours, 1 - 1:50 p.m., Wednesday, November 13

Brandeis is rich with religious diversity. Holidays celebrated by the Brandeis community during the month of November include:

All Saints Day and All Souls' Day (November 1 and 2) Since the early centuries of Christianity, November 1 and 2 have been observed as days to remember the dead. Eventually November 1 was marked as a day to remember those in the past who have lived holy lives and November 2 became a day more focused on all the deceased, hence called All Souls Day. All Saints Day is a special feast day in the Catholic Church. Both feasts recognize the connection that exists between the living and those who have passed on.

Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh (November 2 and 3) Also known as the "Twin Holy Days", these Baha’i holidays honor the births of two prophets and founders of the faith, the Bab and Baha’u’llah. These holidays, when Baha’is gather to pray, read from the Baha’i writings, sing and dance and celebrate, hold enormous joy.

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.

Language should never be a barrier to finding support, information, or resources. Any Brandeis employee can access interpreter services for business related matters* by following these instructions:

1. Call Rapport International: 1-866-895-7403
2. Use Customer Code: RI 367149
3. Company name: Brandeis Occupational Health Services

ASL interpreters available via OnDemand Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) platform. Full list of languages and services offered.

*Business related matters include, but are not limited to: Questions about benefits, speaking to a HR business partner, accessing occupational health services, and inquiring about work practices and schedules.

Student Employment has implemented a new, mandatory student employee supervisor training that will be conducted via Zoom. This training is required for those that oversee student hiring as well as those who manage the students themselves, including faculty members who supervise students. Topics that will be covered include:

• Student Employment Policies
• Timesheets
• Hiring in Workday
• Onboarding
• Supervisor Roles/Responsibilities

All supervisors must complete the training by the end of the Fall 2024 semester. Upcoming training dates are as follows:

• October 11/1, 11 a.m.-noon
• October 11/5, 1-2 p.m.
• October 11/8, 11 a.m.-noon

Please register in advance for the training of your choice here. If you have participated in a session already this summer you do not need to sign up again.

The Library series and the requirements for "Convenience Copies" for all records series has been added to the Brandeis Records Retention Schedule. The Records Retention Schedule consists of record categories, how long each category needs to be retained, and the recommended final disposition of the material. The length of retention is based on external laws and regulations, best practices, and legitimate business needs. The purpose of the schedule is to serve as a published policy and a guide for the Brandeis community's consistent record retention and destruction practices. The schedule is a work in progress and will be expanded in the coming months. For more information please contact University Records Management at records@brandeis.edu or 781-736-8759.

The office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion remains aware of various tensions that affect us directly or indirectly. Currently, some of these tensions stem from the elections in the United States as well as the ongoing conflicts in the world. Accordingly, we would like to offer opportunities for our Brandeis community to reflect on and process their own responses to these events in a safe, respectful environment where feelings and opinions can be shared across cultural, political, religious, ethnic, national, and racial divides.

Drawing on the principles of Talking Circles as practiced in Indigenous communities, we invite all community members—students, faculty, and staff—to join in one of several facilitated conversations that we will be hosting the week of November 3. These efforts are being coordinated through the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Ombuds Office, and campus partners.

Use this registration link to sign up for sessions scheduled for November 6 and 7. We hope you will consider joining us to feel more connected with others. If you have any questions, please email them to BrandeisOmbuds@Brandeis.edu.

The Brandeis Artificial Intelligence Task Force is excited to announce new resources for our community to learn more about Generative AI. The AI Task Force Website and accompanying Google Drive Folder provide documentation on various topics in AI including, but not limited to AI Education & Literacy, AI Security, AI in Research and more. Members of the Task Force plan to add to these resources, presenting major updates through the InBrief and newsletters to the community. In addition to the new website and Google folder, you can now contact the AI Task Force through this Google Form or by emailing ai-taskforce@brandeis.edu.

Respiratory Illness season typically starts in October and runs until April. At Brandeis University COVID guidance follows the CDC's Respiratory Virus guidelines for common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

• The CDC recommends the following steps you can take to protect yourself and others: Stay up to date with immunizations (come to one of the onsite vaccine clinics), practice good hygiene (practices that improve cleanliness), take steps for cleaner air.
• When you may have a respiratory virus: Use precautions to prevent spread, seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness; treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness.
• Additional prevention strategies you can choose to further protect yourself and others include: masking, physical distancing, testing

Type two Diabetes is a serious condition, which according to the CDC affects about 37 million Americans, with one in five people not knowing they have it. When not treated, diabetes can cause other serious health issues like heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and vision problems. Learn more about Diabetes, how to understand and manage your blood sugar, and resources. Please be sure to join Occupational Health Services on November 20 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Shapiro Campus Center for raffle prizes, health education, and FREE biometrics screening (Blood sugar, BMI, and Blood Pressure).

At Brandeis, we bring the vaccinations to you! Come to any of these on-site vaccine clinics and help protect yourself, family, and students in a way that’s fast and convenient. These clinics are open to all faculty, staff, and their families (ages 4+). Pre-registration is required for any family members. Please be sure to bring your pharmacy insurance card to your appointment. Register online (but walk-ins are also welcome!)

Location: Hassenfeld, Levine Ross 1 & 2

Times: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Dates: 11/7/24, 11/19/24, 12/3/24, 1/24/25

Vaccinations offered: COVID-19,  Flu, Hepatitis A , Hepatitis B, HPV, Meningococcal (A, C, Y, & W135), Meningococcal B, MMR , Pneumococcal, Shingles, Tetanus - Whooping Cough, Varicella

Find out what vaccines are recommended for you.

Public Safety is pleased to announce that the card access upgrades in the Administration Complex are now complete! These enhancements have significantly improved system performance, allowing all community members easier access to the building during normal business hours.

If you have any questions or encounter any issues with access, please don’t hesitate to reach out to cardaccess@brandeis.edu.

Remember to use your FSA by the end of the year 2024. Grace period runs through March 15, 2025.

You are allowed to join and/or make changes only during open enrollment or a qualifying event.

• Keep all your receipts
• If you don’t use it you will lose it.

If you are planning to enroll in the HDHP/HSA plan for 2025 your total 2024 funds must be reimbursed by 12/31/24. You cannot contribute to the HSA if you have HCFSA funds in your account on 1/1/2025. Visit the Human Resources website for more detailed information about Flexible Spending Accounts and/or the FSA Store.

Back-Up Care – When school’s out but work’s still on, make life easier with back-up care. The Office of Human Resources has partnered with Bright Horizon to help you better manage your work, family and personal responsibilities.

Use your back-up care benefit to reserve your child’s spot for the day (or more!) at a nearby Bright Horizons center or in your own home with a reliable caregiver. Join Today or Log In!

For more information please visit Human Resources Benefits website.

Human Resources is excited to announce on November 8, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. the 20/20 Onsite Vision Van, the leader in mobile optometry, is coming to our campus in the Hassenfeld parking lot. They will be offering comprehensive eye exams. It just takes 30 minutes to get a full eye exam AND shop their collection of over 300 styles of glasses and sunglasses.

This is the easiest way to take advantage of your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefits without having to leave the office! No more commuting to the doctor, sitting in waiting rooms, or using precious PTO for appointments. Book your appointment now!

The IRS limits your pre-tax total contributions each year. The 2024 limit is $23,000 for employees 49 or younger and $30,500 if you are age 50 or over.

You may update your pre-tax deferred contribution elections on NetBenefits or by calling the Retirement Service Center at 800-343-0860. With one-stop convenience, Fidelity Investments supports the enrollment process and provides ongoing service to retirement plan participants via the university’s NetBenefits Retirement Planning website.

Retirement Counseling Sessions:
Meet with a Retirement Planner – To help plan for your future, Retirement Planners from Fidelity Investments are on campus regularly to provide one-on-one guidance appointments. Consultations may be conducted in person, virtually or over the phone.

• Manage your retirement savings goals
• Review investment choices
• Build a plan that is easy to put into action

To schedule your confidential consultation please visit Fidelity’s scheduler or call 800.642-7131.

Access your Brandeis Retirement Savings Plan on NetBenefits.

Brandeis Hospitality is conducting a quick survey to better understand your satisfaction with your dining experience. Join the effort! Your individual feedback gets us closer to our collective response goal. Once the goal is met, we are making a $500 donation to Brandeis Food Pantry. Don't delay; the survey closes on November 8!

The University is deeply appreciative of all who have worn the uniforms of the U.S. armed forces and we give thanks to our employees and community members who have served our country. We encourage all members of our community to take this moment to say thank you to the service members and veterans who are your colleagues, your family, your friends and your neighbors.

The BRAVE Act, signed into Massachusetts law in 2018, allows Veterans who request, with reasonable notice, to take Veterans Day off using either unpaid time or by using available personal or vacation time.

If you are a Veteran and elect to participate in a Veterans Day activity or take Veterans Day off entirely, please notify your supervisor/manager. We support our Veterans in this endeavor.

Thank you to all members of our military, in all branches, past and present, living or deceased, for your service to our country.

Effective October 24, Brandeis WHO CASH will now be accepted at any location that uses the Grubhub service across the country. This applies to students, faculty, and staff and being part of the Brandeis community you will receive free delivery on eligible orders.

Here is how to get started: Grubhub account set up