The Parking Advisory Committee has released its draft report proposing updates to the university’s parking system. The full report is now posted on the Public Safety website, and we invite your feedback as part of a formal public comment period.

What’s Being Proposed?

• Key recommendations include:
• Keeping parking free for employees and maintaining the current student permit fees
• Simplifying lot access with shared-use designations
• Expanding after-hours and weekend access to more lots
• Opening the Bernstein-Marcus Lot to employees (excluding the President’s space and visitor spots)
• Creating a two-way exit from the North Lot via Skyline to reduce traffic through the upper campus
• Introducing contractor and vendor parking fees
• Upgrading ADA accommodations and signage
• Replacing stickers with transferable hang tags
• Reducing department chair reserved spaces from 11 to 5
• Converting unused carpool spaces into commuter student parking
• Removing department- and title-based reserved signage across campus

Your input will help shape the final plan before implementation begins. Thank you for your time and your role in building a fair and accessible campus environment.

Submit Your Feedback by Friday, July 25.

HR want to make you aware of an ongoing nationwide issue involving fraudulent unemployment claims. Criminal groups are using personal information stolen during previous national data breaches to file illegitimate claims through state unemployment systems. The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has provided additional details on this matter.

If you are a faculty or staff member and receive a letter or any other notification from the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) and have not submitted a claim, please take the following steps immediately:

1. Contact the DUA and report the suspected fraud by completing their fraud contact form.
2. You may also reach the DUA Customer Service line at 877-626-6800 for assistance.

Additionally, we ask that you notify the Office of Human Resources at humanresources@brandeis.edu or 781-736-4474 so we can track these incidents and provide support as needed. We understand that this type of situation can be unsettling, and we are here to support you. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any concerns or questions.

The University has updated the Business Expense Policy and created a new Membership Policy, both are in effect as of July 1, 2025. These updates are intended to provide greater clarity regarding expenses, ensure compliance and streamline processes.

Business Expense Policy

Our revised Business Expense Policy aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in expense management. Key updates include:

• Clear guidelines on allowable and non-allowable expenses.
• Enhanced compliance measures to align with financial regulations.

All employees are encouraged to review the full policy to understand the changes and ensure compliance.

Membership Policy

The new Membership Policy outlines the criteria, benefits, and responsibilities associated with professional and organizational memberships. Highlights include:

• Eligibility requirements for company-sponsored memberships.
• Approved organizations and associations for professional development.

These changes reflect our commitment to supporting your professional growth while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

We encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with these policies. Should you have any questions, please reach out to Business and Finance for further clarification.

The Fall 2025 bill is now available to students and families via the Nelnet Student Account Portal and will be due on August 8, 2025. The link to the e-bill was sent by e-mail to students and their Authorized Parties. The e-mail came from our billing partner, Nelnet, from the email address noreply@campuscommerce.com with subject: BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY BILL AVAILABLE. If you do not receive the email, please check your spam filters.

Students can access their billing details by clicking the Nelnet Student Account Portal link found within the Student Account worklet in Workday. Students who have never accessed the Nelnet Student Account Portal before will need to set up their student profile (refer to the Nelnet - Account Access job aid for detailed instructions) before they can view the bill.

In order for parents, guardians, sponsors, or another party to receive the student's tuition bill, view the student account, and make payments, the student must add them as Authorized Parties in Nelnet. Once they are set up as an Authorized Party, parents/guardians can access Nelnet directly with their own usernames and passwords; they cannot use the student's log-in credentials to access the portal.

Review your e-bill and the Transaction Details in Nelnet. The Fall 2025 e-bill (PDF) is only a snapshot in time; any subsequent charges, financial aid and/or payments will only be reflected in the Transaction Details in Nelnet. If you have questions about the balance, or payment options, contact Brandeis Student Financial Services at sfs@brandeis.edu or 781-736-3700.

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!

Summer library workshops–open to all members of the campus community!

• Data Analysis with R, 11 - 11:50 a.m., Tuesday, July 15
• Find Funding Opportunities using Library Databases, 11 a.m. - noon, Tuesday, July 15
• Text Analysis using R, 11 - 11:50 a.m., Wednesday, July 16
• Intro to 3D Printing with Prusa Mini, 2 - 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 23

Upcoming Moodle workshops for members of the teaching community

• Moodle Gradebook Workshop, 11 - 11:50 a.m., Tuesday, July 15
• Optimizing Your Moodle Course, 1 - 1:50 p.m., Tuesday, July 22

Faculty and staff — will you be hosting out of town guests this year? Have them stay overnight at Brandeis.

Operated by University Events, the Lodge is adjacent to the Faculty Club and provides a convenient and affordable alternative to hotels in the area.

Eight rooms and suites are available with prices ranging from $120 to $150 per night.

Reservations are accepted year-round from alumni, parents, visiting professors, and all members of the Brandeis community.

You can find out more by visiting The Lodge webpage.

• Tuesday, July 15, 3 - 4 p.m.
• Thursday, July 17, 9 - 10 a.m.

You can learn more about our Cloud Storage solutions on the ITS website.

If you have not yet identified your Cisco phone number for the transition to Zoom Phone, please submit this form with your information by July 20 or your extension may be re-assigned. If you have already received an email from ITS confirming your transition date, no further action is needed. Please contact the Brandeis University Technology Help Desk at 781-736-HELP (4357) or help@brandeis.edu if you have any questions about the Zoom Phone transition.

July is Sun Safety Awareness Month -- Let's enjoy the summer sun safely. While some sun exposure is needed for vitamin D production, overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can result in sunburn, as well as lead to more serious health problems, including skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, cataracts and other eye damage, and immune system suppression. Take a moment to review ways to keep yourself safe and healthy this summer. Sun Safety Tips from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Understanding UV index, Understanding Sun Protection.

The EdHEALTH 8th Annual Walking Challenge has come to an end and it was a success! Brandeis employees came out pretty strong. We had several employees that won $50 gift cards. Congratulations to all who participate. Can’t wait to do it again next year!

Change is a constant in today’s workplace — from shifting priorities and new leadership to technology upgrades and team restructuring. Whether the change is big or small, planned or unexpected, it can stir up stress, uncertainty, or even resistance. But with the right tools, you can move through transitions with resilience and confidence.

Join us for an interactive workshop designed specifically for Brandeis staff at all stages of their careers. You will have the opportunity to reflect on how you respond to change, learn practical strategies for coping, and engage in real-world scenarios with your peers. Leave with tools you can apply immediately to your work life. Register

KGA - Brandeis’s Employee Assistance Provider offers online learning opportunities on a variety of topics. The online workshops offered via Zoom and on-demand webinars are free with our membership. This month we are spotlighting an interesting and timely topic delivered via a ‘live’ Zoom workshop.

Live Workshop: Successfully Managing Change Webinar, September 18, 1 p.m. Every change, even when expected, requires an adjustment period. This workshop is designed to equip participants with practical strategies and tools to adapt and thrive through periods of change, personally and professionally. Register

Sign up and access LinkedIn Learning for a free e-card using the instructions provided to access LinkedIn Learning (offers over 16,000 online courses) through the Boston Public Library. If you have any questions contact HumanResources@Brandeis.edu. Did you know that you will have access to certificates of completion for your records? We are spotlighting these timely and relevant courses available to faculty and staff.

• Managing in Difficult Times - Leading effectively through difficult times – course for managers (~1 hour). Tough times separate great leaders from the rest. What do leaders do to manage effectively in difficult times? Jan Rutherford introduces important tools for keeping you and your team focused, inspired, and effective during times of change or crisis. He also shares innovative strategies to cut costs, and reframe challenges as opportunities for your team.
• Succeeding as a New Manager Professional Certificate by LinkedIn Learning - Embrace your first 90 days as a new manager. These courses equip you with the essential tools needed to succeed as a modern leader, from effective communication and performance management to employee engagement, change management, and fostering diversity and inclusion. Tune in, pass the final exam, and earn your certificate.
• Data Visualization: Storytelling – (~1 hour and 32 minutes) - Storytelling has played an integral role in our ability to make progress as a species. It should come as no surprise, then, that presenting data and information in story form maximizes the effectiveness of our communication. This course is intended for anyone who works with data and has to communicate it to others, whether a researcher, a data analyst, a consultant, a marketer, or a journalist.

Time off is an important benefit, and we encourage all staff to use their available time to rest and reenergize.

• Time to recharge: Taking time off helps you rest, recharge, and come back refreshed.
• Use it before you lose it: Vacation days over the carryover limit won’t roll into 2026.
• Check your balance: Log into Workday under “Absence” to see your available days.
• Managers: View each employee’s time off balance in Workday under “Time Off.” The “Team Absence” calendar in Workday shows planned vacations and other absences (both approved and pending) for their team You’ve earned this time – make a plan to enjoy it!

Take charge of your financial future with the Brandeis 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan through Fidelity—whether it’s increasing your contributions or exploring tools to help you meet your money goals, we’re here to support you.

Fidelity – Increasing Your Retirement Savings (NetBenefits)

See how a 1% increase contribution can add to your savings. Give your future self a financial boost and to get help with your money goals you can take the Financial Wellness Checkup.

Deferral election changes are made on Netbenefits (User Guide) or calling the Retirement Service Center at 800.343.0860.

Retirement Savings Support

• Reminder - 403(b) Beneficiary Update
• Please review your beneficiary information and update if necessary.
• If you have not yet designated a beneficiary for your workplace savings plan, as a result, in the event of your death, benefits would be paid according to the plan rules, which might be different from the designation you would choose.

Join us for Benefits Virtual Office Hours every Monday from 2 to 3 p.m. via Zoom.

Log in at any time during the hour to connect with a member of the Benefits team and ask general questions about your coverage, retirement plans, or other offerings.

We’re here to help you make the most of your benefits!

We are excited to share that Brandeis is transitioning our university procurement card (P-Card) program to PNC Bank. This change will occur over this summer. The goal is to enhance our procurement processes and provide improved services to all cardholders.

Key Details:

• New P-Cards Issuance: All current P-Card holders will receive a new Visa P-Card.
• Card Distribution: Members of the Procurement team will be available on campus in the Blue Huts located in Fellows Garden on the following dates to distribute the new P-Cards (if the dates/times or location below are not convenient there will be other opportunities to obtain your new card after these dates).
  • Tuesday July 15 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday July 16 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Thursday July 17 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Identification: Please bring your Campus ID and your existing P-Card when picking up the new Card.
• Activation: Instructions for activating your new P-Card will be provided during distribution.
• Deactivation of Old P-Cards: Current P-Cards will remain active until your new card is picked up.
• Reconciliation Process: There will be no changes to how P-Card charges are reconciled. All charges will continue to post to Coupa, where cardholders reconcile transactions.

Please review the Helpful information for the PNC Transition Guide.

Additionally Procurement and Business Services will be available on campus every Wednesday from July 23 through August 20 from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in the huts in Fellows Garden.

Please drop by to say hello, ask us questions, or pick up your new P-Card. We would love to see you this summer!

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this transition, please contact the Procurement team at procurement@brandeis.edu.

On Thursday, July 31, and Friday, August 1, Public Safety will be hosting an Active Threat Integrated Response Training for area first responders, coordinated by the Municipal Police Training Committee and the Department of Fire Services.

During both days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., you will notice an increased presence of police, fire, and EMS personnel, particularly in the areas near Usdan and Kutz Hall. As part of the training, Kutz Hall will be used for scenario-based exercises that will include emergency sirens, yelling, and simulated gunshot sounds.

Signs will be posted in and around the training area to inform anyone who may not have seen this announcement.

Please be assured that these activities are controlled training exercises. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact Public Safety.