Bring your family and friends to campus on Saturday, October 11 for Homecoming & Hall of Fame 2025! Our annual celebration of Brandeis Athletics will feature UAA soccer matches vs Emory with plenty of fun for the whole family, including food trucks, bounce house, beer garden, 5k walk/run, and more! For full information and a schedule of events visit BrandeisJudges.com/Homecoming.

The Brandeis Red Folder is a quick-reference resource for faculty, staff, and community members to recognize, respond to, and refer students who may be struggling. Whether a student is facing emotional, academic, or behavioral challenges, the Red Folder equips you to act with empathy and confidence.

Please visit The Red Folder website to learn more. Please contact the Dean of Students office with any questions.

Brandeis Hospitality is proud to launch three exciting programs this semester that support a more sustainable campus:

• Reknowable Resources: Engage with quick, interactive micro-lessons designed to boost sustainability awareness and empower climate friendly choices in campus dining and beyond.
• Oscar Sort Stations: AI-powered waste sorting assistants are now installed in Usdan Student Center and Shapiro Campus Center, helping users sort waste correctly and reduce landfill impact.
• Too Good To Go: Einstein Bros. Bagels and The Hoot Market are now part of the Too Good To Go app, offering discounted surplus food to reduce waste and promote food affordability. More than 200 meals have been saved on campus since the program launched in June 2025.

To learn more about Brandeis Hospitality’s sustainability initiatives, visit the website. 

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!

The Office of Finance and Administration will be selling tickets to the 2025-2026 Boston Celtics home games. Available for purchase by faculty, staff and post-docs. For information please visit the Office of the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration website.

Last year, our Brandeis community demonstrated extraordinary generosity and collective strength—together raising $87.9 million to advance our mission of academic excellence, innovative research, and social justice. This is the 2nd highest fundraising year in the last decade (FY22 was $94M).

This remarkable support came from over 14,000 donors, including 5,200 alumni whose contributions are vital to our continued success.

Together, these contributions helped to raise over $2 million for undergraduate financial aid, enabling bright, deserving students to thrive. Our donors gave 3 new professorships to ensure the new Engineering Science Program could launch for this upcoming year. Countless other donors supported programs, centers and institutes, and helped fuel our ability to embrace the new academic structure and vision for Brandeis.

Thank you to all across Brandeis who helped make this impact possible. Campus partnerships amplify our collective results - a special thank you to faculty and staff who made a gift last year to support the University.

Currently, we have a limited number of functioning electric stations; however, we are close to finalizing an agreement with a new partner to manage the remaining EV stations. To ensure everyone can charge, we request that you relocate your vehicle once it’s fully charged. We also want to express our regret for any disruption, as we continue to make every effort to get the remaining EV charging stations up and running as quickly as possible. If you have any questions, please contact transportation.

Brandeis is rich with religious diversity. Holidays celebrated by the Brandeis community this year during the month of September and start of October include:

Milad al-Nabi (September 4 sundown - September 5 sundown) On the 12th day of the Islamic lunar month of Rabi' al-Awwal, many Muslims the world over gather to recite poems recounting the biography and especially the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

Navaratri (September 22 - October 2) Hindus celebrate Navaratri, or the nine sacred nights dedicated to the Mother Goddess at this time. "Nava" means nine and "ratri" means night. So, Navaratri literally means nine nights. During these nine nights of festivities, the goddess is worshiped in Her different forms of Durga, Lakshmi, and Sarasvati. The Navaratri celebrations are held at night to overcome the influence of tamas, the mode of ignorance that is said to prevail during this time.

Rosh Hashanah (September 22 sundown - September 24 sundown) Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, or "Head of the Year." Rosh Hashanah also marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, which conclude on Yom Kippur. Brandeis does not hold classes on Rosh Hashanah.

Durga Puja and Dussehra (September 28 - October 2) Durga Puja pays homage to the Hindu goddess Durga, and is also celebrated because of Durga's victory over Mahishasura. Dussehra, celebrated October 2, is also known as Vijaya Dashami, and commemorates the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

Yom Kippur (October 1 sundown - October 2 sundown) Following Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur is also known as the Day of Atonement. Jews observe Yom Kippur with a 25 hour fast (this does not include children, or those unable to fast for health/safety reasons) and religious services. Brandeis does not hold classes on Yom Kippur.

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.

Join us at Brandeis on Tuesday October 21st for a fireside chat with Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell:

"The Role of the Attorney General and the Courts in Protecting Our Democracy in This Historic Moment"

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has been selected as the 2025 Justice Brandeis Practitioner-In-Residence. Join us Tuesday, October 21 from 2:20-3:40 PM in the Shapiro Campus Center Theater.

Hear from the Attorney General and bring your questions! RSVP here.

In 2023, Andrea Joy Campbell was sworn in to be the 45th Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, pledging to build economic prosperity and stability for all residents, prioritize the mental health and well-being of children, stop cycles of incarceration and violence and ensure the people across the state have access to the AG's Office regardless of their zip code, language or ability.

More information.

Hosted by COMPACT and ENACT in celebration of the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life, the Justice Brandeis Practitioner-in-Residence Limited Series highlights the knowledge and experience developed by the Ethics Center and exposes the Brandeis campus community to spheres of activity that have only become more critical to our interconnected world over recent years.

Questions? Contact ENACT@brandeis.edu.

Sign up for a library workshop:

• Excel with Excel: Overview, Tips and Tricks. Part I, noon - 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 22 and Part II, noon - 1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29
• Intro to 3D Printing with Prusa Mini, 12:15 - 2:15 p.m., Monday, Sept. 22
• Intro to Music Production in Logic Pro, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., Monday, Sept. 22
• Outdoor Photography and Videography, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25
• Studio Recording: Creating a Sample Pack in the Flex Studio, 4 - 5:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25
• Logo Design in Adobe Illustrator, 6 - 7:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25
• Getting Started with Atlas.ti (Mac Users), 12:10 - 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26
• Open MakerLab Hours, 1 - 2:45 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26
• Soundscape Recording: An Intro to Logic Pro, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26
• Intro to Music Production in Logic Pro, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29
• Starting the Process: Research and Writing for your Dissertation/Thesis, 3 - 3:55 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29
• Bivariate Analysis with Stata, 12:10 - 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30
• Getting started with ArcGIS Pro, 1:15 - 2:05 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30, 10:10 - 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 3
• Getting Started with Atlas.ti (Windows Users). 12:10 - 1 p.m., Friday, October 3
• Soundscape Recording: An Intro to Logic Pro, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., Friday, October 3
• Intro to 3D Printing with Prusa Mini, 3:30 - 5 p.m., Friday, October 3
• Digital Scholarship Lab Training and Open Hours, Various

Information Technology Services (ITS) is hosting a new series called “Tech Talks”, starting this month with Google Gemini and Zoom Workplace AI. On September 25, from 2 - 3 p.m. EST, staff and faculty are invited to learn ways that Brandeis’ Google Gemini and Zoom Workplace’s AI can help to create efficiencies and boost productivity in everyday tasks while conducting business at Brandeis. Workshop leaders will provide examples and suggestions on how to incorporate these two platforms into your everyday activities at Brandeis and will include a Q&A session with hands-on assistance following the presentation.

This workshop will take place in the Feldberg Atrium, with limited seating available on a first-come, first-serve basis via Google Form sign up. Individuals will receive confirmation of their seat the Monday prior to the workshop date. ITS will host additional opportunities for members of the community to attend in the event seats “sell out”.

Faculty who would like to join a community of fellow instructors dedicated to exploring and experimenting with pedagogical uses of generative AI are encouraged to join this group.

The next sessions are on September 19 and October 3 from 1 - 2 p.m. EST

The Learning Community has a running agenda document. At the next meeting on 9/19 in the Library’s Garner-Jackson room, the LC will start by going through the Center for AI Learning Moodle. If you have a chance, take a look at it in advance and think about any feedback you might have about the content that is there or other ideas for new content. Sign up to receive email updates about this Learning Community!

Do you need help managing storage in Google? Join the ITS team for tips and tricks on how to reduce your Google storage, manage documents and folders, and how to organize your email. Visit our Google Storage website for dates and times of drop in sessions, as well as training material and quick guides on managing Google Storage. ITS will be adding additional sessions throughout the semester to assist you in meeting the University’s storage goals.

Workday will be performing maintenance on September 20, 2025 as part of its biannual system update; it will unavailable from With this maintenance, the Brandeis community will see some changes to the user interface as well as enhancements to certain functionality, including the absence calendar, pay application, and a new academic progress troubleshooting console for advisor and administrators. For a complete list of changes, please visit the Workday website.

This October, ITS is rolling out Technology Health Checks, a new, on-site support program that brings our teams to your department so you don’t have to call, travel, or open a ticket. Meet with experts from the Technology Help Desk and Media Technology Services for quick tune-ups, training, and answers tailored to your needs.

What we can help with

• Managing Google storage limits
• Using Zoom AI features and the new Zoom Phone system
• Fixing everyday issues (password resets, Wi-Fi/connectivity, device setup)
• …and any other tech questions your team has

How to join - Watch for session dates in the next Brandeis InBrief, the Brandeis Technology News newsletter, on @DeisTechNews social channels, and from your department managers.

Questions or topic requests? Contact Chris Lowre 

The Brandeis Moodle Communities login page has been updated in order to support new programs. The login screen has additional ways to log into Communities for users who have been logged out of Moodle Communities. Current Brandeis Community members should continue to sign into Brandeis Moodle Communities through the Shibboleth option. New Users without a Brandeis username will be able to access Moodle Communities with Google or Microsoft email accounts, allowing non-credit students and non-Brandeis collaborators to access program-specific courses. For questions about how to log into Moodle Communities, please email the Technology Help Desk (help@brandeis.edu).

Brandeis Information Technology Services (ITS) launched a new set of informative communication options for our community to stay up-to-date with helpful and important technology-related information. “Brandeis Technology News” is a new monthly newsletter series set to highlight technology success stories, partnerships, project updates, information from the IT Governance Program, IT Security and to highlight a new monthly “Tech-Talks” series. “Brandeis Technology News” is an opt-in service, so please sign up through the Brandeis Technology News Google Group.

In addition “DeisTechNews” is ITS’ new social media tag, where members of the community can receive updates on your preferred social platform including: Facebook, Instagram, Threads and X/Twitter.

As you may be aware, healthcare costs continue to increase year after year, both locally and at the national level. Brandeis helps control our healthcare costs by being part of edHEALTH, a collaboration of 28 educational institutions working together to save schools money on healthcare services. Brandeis has been a member-owner of edHEALTH since 2015. While edHEALTH often stays in the background for our faculty and staff, our Human Resources and Finance staff work very closely to ensure you have comprehensive medical and pharmacy coverage. Some of the many advantages to being part of edHEALTH include:

• Power in numbers when negotiating with our health plan, e.g., the personal MyConnect customer service you receive from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
• Partnering with our pharmacy provider, OptumRx, to offer our faculty and staff prescription drug programs.

Learn more about edHEALTH and your health benefits here.

Please join Occupational Health Services at the well-being booster event and Harvest Table for National Coffee Day on September 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Levin-Ross Rooms (Hassenfeld Conference Center). This well-being booster event will be offering:

• Free Coffee!
• On-site vaccinations to all faculty, staff, and their families (ages 4+); register. * COVID vaccinations are now available, and walk-ins are welcome. Please be sure to bring your pharmacy card.
• Education and resources about back and neck health.
• Chair Massages

As part of Brandeis University’s ongoing commitment to campus safety and emergency preparedness, Public Safety—in collaboration with the Student Union through funding from the Community Emergency and Enhancement Fund (CEEF)—has completed a campus-wide upgrade of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and expanded the placement of Stop the Bleed (STB) kits in key locations.

Recent AED and STB Updates:

New AED Locations:

• G-Zang
• Spingold Theater
• Admissions (Newly added)

Relocated AED:

• 60 Turner Street – now located next to the elevator on the 1st floor

Decommissioned AED Locations:

• Kutz Hall
• Linsey Pool – South Street Entrance

In addition to AEDs, Stop the Bleed kits have now been installed across campus alongside many AED units to support rapid response to traumatic injuries.

To view a full list of AED and STB kit locations and learn how to use them in an emergency, visit the Brandeis AED and Stop the Bleed Program webpage.

We thank the Student Union for its continued partnership and support in enhancing emergency preparedness on campus. We encourage all community members to familiarize themselves with the nearest AED and STB kit locations.

For questions or training opportunities, please contact Emergency Management at emergencymanagement@brandeis.edu.

Are you a new or mid-career manager looking to grow and enhance your skills and confidence as a leader? The Brandeis Manager’s Certificate Program is designed to equip managers and leaders of staff with the practical tools needed to succeed.

This four-session virtual series runs from October through December, 2025 with each session lasting about two hours via Zoom. To receive your Certificate of Completion, attendance at all sessions is required. Participants will be celebrated at a closing reception with their managers.

By participating, you will:

• Strengthen your management skills and confidence
• Practice strategies for common workplace challenges
• Connect with fellow managers across campus

Space is limited. REGISTER

2025 Open Enrollment will be held Monday, October 27 through Friday, November 7. Annual Benefits Fair will be on Wednesday, October 29 in the Hassenfeld Conference Hall – Sherman Hall.

Registration is required. Lunch will be provided.

• Social Security
• Estate Planning
• Retirement Income Planning
• Medicare

Join us for Retirement Planning Day, sponsored by Fidelity. Representatives from Fidelity Investments and the Social Security Administration will be onsite. During the day you’ll learn helpful strategies, tips and actionable steps that can help you prepare for retirement and a chance to enter the raffle. This event will be offered to Brandeis employees age 55 and older along with your spouse/partner. We hope to see you there!

If you are not able to attend the Retirement Planning Day you can meet with a Fidelity Planner on campus, virtually or over the phone to help you plan for your future. To schedule your one-on-one confidential consultation, please visit Fidelity’s website.

Fidelity - Women Talk Money - Please visit Human Resources/Benefits Retirement Saving Support website for upcoming events and registration information. The next Women Talk Money event is October 15: The Power of Betting on Yourself with Cynthia Erivo and the Fidelity Pros.

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!

Join us this fall for a series of three engaging, 45-minute workshops designed to support your professional growth and everyday success. Each session includes a short LinkedIn Learning video to watch in advance, giving you tools and insights to explore further during our live workshop discussions. Choose one or attend all three! REGISTER

• Coping with Change – Building Personal Resilience – October 7
• Managing Up – Strengthening Relationships with Supervisors – November 5
• Time Management for the Overcommitted Professional – December 4

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.

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 interesting and timely topics for both the live-Zoom workshops and the on-demand webinars:

Live Workshops via Zoom:

• Make Your Paycheck Last: Spending, Saving and Budgeting Strategies: At KGA, we recognize that right now, many people are feeling the impact of rising costs and an uncertain economy. Groceries, gas, housing—things we rely on every day—have all gotten more expensive, and it’s natural to feel stressed or even overwhelmed by that. Our goal today is to provide you with strategies to help restore a sense of control and lessen financial stress. We’ll be exploring practical ways to spend wisely, save with purpose, and create a budget that feels realistic and sustainable, even when times are tough. Webinar October 9 from noon-1 p.m., REGISTER
• Breaking the Silence: Navigating Men's Mental Health Challenges and Stigmas | Jeff Rogers Wellness Webinar - Join us for an exploration of the mental health challenges men face in today's world. This transformative workshop will uncover how these issues often manifest differently in men, examine the obstacles men encounter when seeking help, and discuss the pervasive stigma surrounding men's mental health. November 13 from noon-1 p.m., 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.

Empower Your Productivity with Google Gemini - Artificial intelligence has touched almost every aspect of our day-to-day lives, and perhaps no area as much as how we work. Gemini is a generative AI chatbot developed by Google, and in this course, instructor James Mew shows you how to use Gemini across the Google Workspace to increase both your personal and professional productivity. Learn how to use Gemini to automate workflows, speed up decision-making, and more. James shows you how to utilize Gemini as a personal assistant, generate images, enhance team collaboration, draft emails, and many other applications to help you conquer the daily grind and free up more time in your day. Course length 1 hour and 51 minutes.

Invest in You: Personal and Professional Development Tips - There are points in our lives where we find ourselves spinning and stagnant in our development. We reflect on what we've accomplished and compare our achievements with those of people close to us, often judging ourselves in a way that adds little value. What can we do to start investing in ways that build momentum and flip the script on this narrative? The instructor, Jason starts by helping you explore what you really want for yourself by identifying your purpose and possibilities. He then spends time connecting you to what is getting in your way of prioritizing your development and making a shift from planning to action. Finally, Jason shares lessons and tools on how to sustain these changes in behavior by implementing habits aligned with what you really want for yourself. Course length 40 minutes

The annual Alumni Awards honor and recognize excellence in four areas: lifetime and emerging professional achievement, and lifetime and emerging volunteer service to the Alumni Association. Submit a nomination by October 31.