<p>I am a current senior at Brandeis University. In light of the current financial crisis, there are many changes being proposed at Brandeis University, some which will benefit students (the creation of a business and communication majors) and some which will harm students (increase in net student population from 3200-3800, proposed cut of 10% of faculty through offers of bonuses for early retirement).</p>
<p>I believe most of these things are a reflection of the time we’re living in, and I don’t doubt that many other colleges will be facing similar hard decisions and cuts at this time. There is one proposal which is specific to Brandeis, however, and a truly disturbing concept to raise revenue for the university.</p>
<p>The Brandeis Semester will greatly harm students on Need Based Financial Aid.</p>
<p>If you’re seriously considering going to Brandeis, please ask about the Brandeis Semester. There was a 26 page PDF file released to the student population discussing it, but this article in the Hoot summarizes it alright. [The</a> Brandeis Hoot Justice Brandeis Semester adds professional focus to liberal arts](<a href=“TheHoot.net is for sale | HugeDomains”>TheHoot.net is for sale | HugeDomains)</p>
<p>In short, you will be required to take a semester off, and pay tuition for an internship that you find. For students with sufficient income, who can stagger their behavior and simply pay out of pocket to take courses in the summer, this may not be an issue. For students, including myself, who seek internships in the summer anyway and can’t afford a summer session, I would effectively be paying 8 semesters of tuition for 7 semesters of education. I’d be forced to find another semester of employment or internship during a time when most projects related to my interests occur during the summer, and receive less net coursework than other students with sufficient income to do classes when aid won’t cover it.</p>
<p>The Brandeis Semester means less education for the same amount of money. It does not in-of-itself ruin the school, but it is certainly worth considering in your decision making process.</p>
<p>Truthmonger, it appears your concerns are premature. The faculty University Curiculum Committee appears to be well aware of the financial aid related issues and is recommending this experiential/intensive study semester on an optional, not mandatory, basis. See the latest article in The Justice here:</p>
<p>This optional experiential/intensive study semester sounds really exciting and something that could well set Brandeis apart from other top tier liberal arts institutions. In addition, as you point out, the proposed new Business Major and new Media, Communications and Society major sound like innovative learning opportunities since they incorporate the liberal arts curiculum and thus are not purely "professional" degrees.</p>
<p>I would like to add, as a current Brandeis student, that nothing about the Brandeis semester is final. </p>
<p>For example, I brought up the question about having to take a semester off at the last Town Hall meeting with the CARS (Curricular Academic Restructuring and Steering) committee and they said that they are hoping to figure out a way where student will not have to take a semester off.</p>
<p>In terms of financial aid, from what I understand, need based financial aid will carry over if you do your Brandeis Semester in the Fall or Spring. I think they are still looking into how financial aid can carry over into the summer.</p>
<p>While there are still the kinks to be worked out, I think the Justice Brandeis semester has a lot of potential to be something uniquely Brandeis that students will take pride in having to complete. I echo the original post asking prospective students to ask about the Brandeis semester since I think it shows off the creativity and desire to do something different at Brandeis in difficult times.</p>
<p>Sounds like the Justice Brandeis Semester was passed as an option for students. While not everyone's cup of tea, it sounds like an exciting option of experiential/intensive study that would distinguish the already excellent Brandeis education. In The Justice, Dean Jaffe explained "that students could participate in the JBS through programs such as study abroad, participating in an Environmental Field Semester, completing a student teaching practicum, conducting extended scientific research or taking part in a Summer Arts Festival." </p>
<p>Undoubtedly Dartmouth went through a similar process of working out the fine points of its D-Plan. The JBS remains an exciting option for Brandeis students.</p>
<p>B77 beat me to the punch; the residency requirement is gone for now. Again, this is something worth considering, but by no means a deal breaker for Brandeis. Brandeis has served me very well as an academic institution.</p>
<p>Just be aware that the JBS, or something like it, will be occurring, and try to keep tabs on it.</p>