Student Support Team
The Student Support Team (SST), is a compassionate, proactive advocacy group dedicated to fostering an environment where free expression and student rights are respected and upheld. Composed of select faculty and staff volunteers, the SST represents a new chapter in student support at Brandeis — one that acknowledges the power of conscientious protest and advocacy in driving societal change.
The SST is committed to supporting all of our students and community members during campus protests, demonstrations, and events that may impact day-to-day campus life, ensuring that students and community members can engage in meaningful expression safely, and are knowledgeable of campus policies.
The primary goals of the Student Support Team are to:
- Uphold Student Rights: Support students involved in protests or demonstrations by ensuring they are fully informed of their rights and responsibilities under university policy.
- Promote Safety for All: Foster a safe and respectful environment for both protesters and counter-protesters, as well as for the wider student body, by facilitating clear communication and de-escalating potential conflicts.
- Encourage Informed Decision-Making: Help students understand any potential consequences of their actions that may conflict with student conduct guidelines and university policy, ensuring that they are able to make well-informed decisions.
- Provide a Platform for Dialogue: Actively listen to and support student voices, offering avenues for students to express concerns, articulate their viewpoints, and have their perspectives heard by university leadership.
- Facilitate De-escalation When Needed: Use trained, conversational, de-escalation techniques to ensure that all gatherings or demonstrations remain constructive, supportive, and focused on open dialogue and mutual respect.
To contact the Student Support Team (SST), please reach out to studentsupportteam@brandeis.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The team is dedicated to supporting student activists and the wider campus community, ensuring all students and community members can exercise their rights safely and responsibly. SST members work to facilitate a constructive environment where students feel empowered to raise issues and advocate for causes important to them in a manner that is consistent with university policies.
Yes, the SST is available to receive and convey student concerns to university leadership. While members cannot guarantee direct access to specific individuals, they are committed to ensuring that students’ voices are heard by sharing written concerns with senior administrators in an organized and transparent manner.
SST members have been carefully selected based on their experience, fairness, and dedication to equitable student support. Each team member has undergone professional training in conflict de-escalation and has a thorough understanding of student rights and responsibilities, particularly in the context of protest and free expression. Their goal is to act as unbiased advocates who prioritize students’ best interests and respect diverse perspectives.
The SST is led by a collaborative group of respected faculty and staff members who are committed to fostering a campus culture of inclusion, respect, and safety. As advocates and allies, they work to build a community where every student feels a sense of belonging and is free to express their beliefs without fear of retaliation or discrimination.
Yes, SST members are here to listen to and support students as they navigate issues of concern. Whether at an event or during individual meetings, SST members are available to provide a space for students to share their concerns, provide resources, and explore the best way to approach sensitive issues. To contact an SST member, please email studentsupportteam@brandeis.edu and we will direct you to one of the members.
SST members will be identifiable at campus events by distinctive yellow vests, making them easily approachable for students who need assistance or guidance. They will be present at key events where student expression may require additional support, and they encourage students to reach out whenever needed.
The SST strives to be available at major events where student safety, support, or facilitation is needed. However, due to scheduling and availability, SST members may not be present at every single event, and representatives from the SST may vary at each event. Students are encouraged to reach out to any member of the SST, the Provost, EVP for Finance & Administration or the VP of Student Affairs, if they anticipate needing support at specific events. The EVP for Finance & Administration will make the final decision to invoke the SST.
SST members undergo comprehensive training in areas such as conflict de-escalation, student rights, active listening, and restorative practices. This training equips them to handle sensitive situations with empathy and impartiality, prioritizing student well-being and free expression.
Currently, the SST is composed of faculty and staff. For now, students interested in advocacy and support work are encouraged to reach out to the SST for collaboration or join similar student-led groups on campus.
The SST values feedback from students to continually improve its support efforts. If you feel an SST member did not adequately support students, you can provide feedback through the Provost or EVP for Finance & Administration’s office to ensure the team upholds its mission fairly and effectively.
The SST's primary goal in such instances is to facilitate open communication and de-escalate tensions. Members will work with all parties to encourage peaceful and constructive expression. However, if a situation becomes physically unsafe for members of the Brandeis community, SST members may coordinate with Campus Public Safety to support the safety of all involved.
The SST is focused on engagement with student concerns, is strictly supportive, and non-enforcement-based. SST members are present as advocates for students to support respectful free expression, facilitate open communication and de-escalate tensions. Members will work with all parties to encourage peaceful and constructive expression.
The SST operates independently from campus Public Safety, yet coordinates with them as necessary to support the safety of all community members.
Brandeis strives for an open environment where free expression and student rights are respected and upheld, and the SST was created to foster that mission. The SST is available to support and provide information about university policy and supportive mechanisms on campus to any student who feels targeted, unsafe, or otherwise uncomfortable during a protest, regardless of their views or affiliations. Members are trained to assist students in such situations. However, if a community member feels they are in imminent danger, they should contact Campus Public Safety as they are responsible for the physical safety of our community.
The SST will provide support to all members of the Brandeis community (faculty, staff and students), as needed.
No. SST members function as advocates and resources for students, are focused on informing students of their rights, providing guidance on protest activities that align with university guidelines. The SST prioritizes student safety and well-being without engaging in enforcement or disciplinary actions.