Brandeis University has adopted a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy  that embraces AI’s potential to enhance teaching, research, and administration, while ensuring its use remains responsible, ethical, and transparent. The policy calls on faculty to set clear expectations for classroom use, with students required to cite and disclose AI appropriately to maintain academic integrity. In research, AI’s role must be transparent, with results safeguarded and authorship never attributed to AI systems. Administratively, AI can improve workflows and services, but use must comply with strict data privacy and security standards, particularly around sensitive information. The policy is supported by the university's IT Governance Committees (ATAC & ITAC) and training opportunities through the CTL and ITS, as well as enterprise-protected AI tools, ensuring the Brandeis community can confidently and responsibly leverage AI in ways that align with the university’s mission and values.

The 2026 Benefits Open Enrollment period will take place this year between October 27 and November 7. 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, 2026.

Human Resources is also pleased to announce that we will be hosting this year’s annual Benefits Fair on Wednesday October 29 from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. The event will take place in Sherman Hall, in the Hassenfeld Conference Center. The Benefits Fair will include vendors from many of our benefit plans, HR representatives, refreshments and giveaways throughout the day.

Open Enrollment Sessions – To Learn about your Benefits

• Monday, October 27, Luria Rooms 1-3 – Hassenfeld Conference Center, noon - 1:00 p.m., Register
• Thursday, October 30, Zoom , 2- 3 p.m., Register
• Wednesday, November 5, Zoom, 10 - 11 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.

Join us to learn about Brandeis' rich and comprehensive benefits and what's new for 2026.

We have entered into the shoulder months for heating/cooling; the months whose temperatures range between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. During this time of year, it is also expected to experience significant changes in temperature throughout the day. Our campus operates on a dual system, where buildings are either in heating or cooling mode but not both.

Starting on Sept. 29, Facilities will begin the switch over from cooling to heating systems in the Residence Halls & Academic buildings, then move to the Science Buildings. We understand that at times this may be uncomfortable, but we ask for your patience during these New England shoulder months. If your space becomes too hot at certain points during the day, we recommend opening a window to let in cooler air from outside.

The complete switch-over will likely take a month to fully complete. For building temperature standards or energy conservation policies, please visit the Facilities Services building temperature guidelines.

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!

Brandeis University and Brandeis Hospitality are partnering with national non-profit, Swipe Out Hunger [swipehunger.org], to help students facing food insecurity. Consider donating your extra guest swipes for a chance to help fellow students! The Swipe Drive will run from September 29 through October 6. Last year 1,251 swipes were donated by the Brandeis community. Harvest Table and Brandeis Hospitality are proud to support campus food security efforts and further your impact. Brandeis Hospitality will make a one-to-one match for every guest swipe donated! Donate a swipe today to help fellow students in need!

Students experiencing food insecurity may request the donated meal swipes via an application through Student Financial Services.

Download the GET mobile app: Apple, Android

Visit brandeishospitality.com for more information under Swipe Out Hunger.

There is limited selection of Bruins tickets still available. The seats are in section LGE4, row 6. For a complete list of available games and pricing please visit the The Office of the EVP, Finance and Administration website.

The Office of Finance and Administration will be selling tickets to the Red Sox playoff games. Available for purchase by faculty, staff and post-docs. If you want to purchase tickets, please register for the lottery.

Sign up for a workshop today:

• Intro to Vinyl Cutting and 2D Graphics, 1 - 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 6
• Animate Charts, Graphs, & Datasets with Adobe After Effects, 4:30 - 5:45 p.m., Monday, Oct. 6
• Studio Recording: Creating a Sample Pack in the Flex Studio, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 7
• Data Analysis with R, 12:10 - 1:10 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8
• Outdoor Photography and Videography, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8
• Getting Started with Qualtrics, 12:10 - 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9
• Moodle Gradebook Workshop, 11 - 11:50 a.m., Friday, Oct. 10
• Starting the Process: Research and Writing for Your Dissertation/Thesis, 11 - 11:55 a.m., Friday, Oct. 10
• Intro to 3D Printing with Prusa Mini, 3:30 - 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10
• Intro to Vinyl Cutting and 2D Graphics, 1 - 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 13
• Text Analysis using R, 12:10 - 1:10 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15
• Digital Scholarship Lab Training and Open Hours, Various

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

This month’s ITS Tech Talk follows along in the theme of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The ITS Security Team will be presenting a webinar covering data loss prevention, phishing and email investigation, AI and deepfakes, and password management—giving Brandeis staff and faculty the tools to protect both personal and organizational data. The event will take place on Thursday October 23, from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Please register for the webinar!

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an international initiative that highlights actions everyone can take to stay safe online. This year’s theme is Stay Safe Online, highlighting simple ways to protect yourself, your family and your business from online threats. More information will be made available in the upcoming edition of Brandeis Technology News and in this month’s InBrief series. Members of our community can visit the ITS Security Team at our Walk-Up Info Table on Wednesday October 15, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Shapiro Building near Einstein’s or can attend our security-focused October “Tech Talk” event.

This month, 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 Client Services group for training, support, computer help, to answer questions you may have and much more!

Example Topics Include:

• Managing Google storage limits
• Using Zoom AI features and the new Zoom Phone system
• Leveraging Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, etc)
• Fixing everyday issues such as Wi-Fi connectivity problems, device and software setup, and even technology questions more specific to your team's needs

Scheduling has already begun, starting with Institutional Advancement at Sawyer Rd; the School of Business & Economics at Sachar/Lemberg; the EVP's Office, MarComm, and more in Gryzmish; Procurement, Payroll, Financial Affairs & BOLLI at Turner Street; and multiple academic departments in the Brown Building. If you are from one of these locations, please keep an eye out for an email from your department administrators for dates and times!

How can I join a session? - Watch for session dates in the October Brandeis Technology Newsletter next week, on @DeisTechNews social channels, presentation screens across campus, the ITS News Website and from department administrators.

Want to Sign Up? - We will be reaching out to all groups and buildings across campus in the coming weeks, however you can get fast-tracked by reaching out to Chris Lowre to schedule your department today!

The Information Security team is excited to announce the launch of the Phish Alert Button (PAB) in Gmail on October 27th This new tool makes it easier than ever to report suspicious emails quickly and securely. With just one click, you can send a potential phishing message directly to our IT security team for review, while automatically removing it from your inbox. To learn more about the Phishing Alert Button in Gmail, please visit the ITS Security News Website.

ITS released its first edition of the new monthly technology newsletter “Brandeis Technology News” last week. This monthly series is designed to provide our community with quick news stories about everything “technology” at Brandeis. “Brandeis Technology News” is an opt-in service, so please sign up through the Brandeis Technology News Google Group.

Don’t forget to follow @DeisTechNews on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and X/Twitter!

If you need assistance with how to reduce your Google storage, ITS is offering drop in help sessions via Zoom throughout October, November and December. You can find more information about these sessions on our Google Storage Updates website.

Beginning October 15, ITS will host in person help sessions in the Feldberg Atrium. These sessions will be capped at 20 people on a first come, first serve basis. You can sign up on the Google Storage website. In person sessions will cover how to search and organize your email, using Shared Drives versus sharing folders, data retention policy, and other best practices on managing your digital storage. As a reminder, Brandeis will begin implementing storage limits on January 12, 2026. We encourage you to begin reviewing your storage amounts now and continue to do so prior to the implementation of storage limits.

Faculty and staff who previously had access to Cisco desk phones have now been transitioned to Zoom Phone. If you have not activated your Zoom Phone or are unable to access Zoom Phone on your Brandeis-issued computer, please open a ticket with the Zoom Phone team and they will be able to assist you.

As of September 29, the Technology Help Desk will be open 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays. As a reminder, you can reach the Help Desk via Phone (781-736-4357 from a non-campus extension, or 6-HELP or typing ITS Help Desk into your Zoom Phone search), via email (help@brandeis.edu) or through the Team Dynamix Service Portal.

Please join Occupational Health Services at the well-being booster event on October 27th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Levin-Ross Rooms (Hassenfeld Conference Center). This well-being booster event will be offering:

• 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 Dental Health
• Chair Massages

Respiratory illness season typically starts in October and runs until April, however COVID has already been going around this September. At Brandeis University COVID guidance follows the CDC's respiratory virus guidelines for common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

If you are sick you may return to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Once feeling better, you can resume normal activities, taking added precautions over the next 5 days. Precautions include masking, opening windows, air purifiers, and physical distancing when possible.

• 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 Brandeis 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.
• Students, please check out the Student Health Center COVID site for more information or if you need medical guidance ( 781-736-3677).
• Faculty and Staff, please contact Occupational Health Services with any questions (781-736-8769).

The Brandeis Safe App continues to evolve with new updates designed to make it even easier to stay safe on campus. We are excited to share improvements to the Virtual Walk and Friend Walk features:

Virtual Walk with Public Safety – You can now request Public Safety to actively monitor your walk across campus in real time. If you don’t arrive as expected, officers will be immediately notified.

Friend Walk – Updates make it simpler to share your location with a friend or family member and automatically notify them when you’ve reached your destination safely.

These updates strengthen the app’s ability to provide peace of mind, whether you’re heading back to your residence, crossing campus late at night, or simply want an added layer of safety.

The Brandeis Safe App also continues to offer:

• A mobile “blue light” for emergency contact with Public Safety.
• Instant safety alerts and updates.
• Quick access to emergency resources and procedures.

Brandeis' Human Resources and Finance teams, along with edHealth, are actively working with other edHEALTH schools, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and OptumRx to find solutions to these challenges. Faculty and staff, we need your help too! Learn more about how to help us reduce health care risks and costs.

• Take control of your health. Stop smoking, get enough sleep, exercise, and eat right—small daily choices can have a big impact on your health.
• Stay up to date on your care: vaccinations, screenings, and annual checkups. Early detection and preventative care are the best ways to avoid poor health outcomes and large medical bills.
• Go to the right provider at the right time: Take advantage of your primary care provider or Doctor’s On Demand for same-day sick visits. Use the emergency room for emergencies.
• Open and use your Health Savings Account (HSA)/Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for medical expenses, supplies, and other eligible services.
• Take advantage of reimbursement from HPHC.
• Be an active consumer when filling your prescriptions: Download your OptumRx prescription discount card, explore home delivery options/order online, and use drug coupons with Optum Perks.

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, 2025: The Power of Betting on Yourself with Cynthia Erivo and the Fidelity Pros.

Accidents happen! If you or a colleague are injured while at work, please take the following steps:

1. Ensure you and those around you are safe. Call Public Safety (781-736-3333) for first aid, help, or if there are other hazards. Call Occupational Health (781-736-8769) with questions or for additional support.
2. Notify your supervisor.
3. Get checked out. Please contact your primary care provider or be evaluated by a local urgent care or emergency room.
4. Complete the accident/injury report.

To review and update your benefit elections during open enrollment please visit Human Resources Employee Benefits Review Benefits and Update Beneficiary and Dependent Demographics. 

Each year Brandeis is required to inform you of the notice regarding Brandeis University’s current prescription drug coverage and options under Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. Visit the Brandeis Medicare Part D and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) webpages to carefully review the notice. If you, your spouse or dependent are eligible for Medicare this information can help you decide whether or not you want to join a Medicare drug plan. As a reminder you should provide a copy of the Notice, electronically or in hard copy, to any of your dependents who are eligible for Medicare. If you are considering joining, you should compare your current coverage, including which drugs are covered at what cost, with the coverage and costs of the plans offering Medicare prescription drug coverage in your area.

Medicare prescription drug coverage became available in 2006 to everyone with Medicare. You can get this coverage if you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or join a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) that offers prescription drug coverage.

Brandeis University has determined that the prescription drug coverage offered by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (via OptumRx) is considered Creditable Coverage.

Save and book mark the Medicare Part D and FAQs link for future reference.

Remember to use your FSA by the end of the year 2025. As a reminder Health Care FSA and the Limited Purpose FSAs use the Carryover Method. This means you must spend down (your annual election by 12/31/2025. If you have any unclaimed funds after that date you may only carry over up to $660 to use for 2026 expenses. Funds over $660 are forfeit.

• The Dependent Care FSA still utilizes the Grace period which 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.

Important: If you are planning to enroll in the HDHP/HSA plan for 2026 your total 2025 funds must be reimbursed by 12/31/25. You cannot contribute to the HSA if you or your spouse at their employer have HCFSA funds in your account on 1/1/2026. Visit the Human Resources website for more detailed information about Flexible Spending Accounts and/or the FSA Store.

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.

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.