Students and three administrators from Brandeis financial services and finance administration gathered to discuss university policies—from financial aid, merit scholarships, improving communication about scholarships and grants to better encouraging diversity at Brandeis.

Six students asked questions of the three administrators, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Stewart Uretsky, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and Chief Business Officer Samuel Solomon and Assistant Vice President of Student Financial Services Sherri Avery.

Chari Calloway ’21 asked about the possibility of increasing funds for students of color, especially through access to more funds from Greek organizations that could sponsor students of color, and how to create a more equal financial experience at Brandeis. Solomon responded that financial aid at Brandeis tries to take into account what a family can afford and strives to make Brandeis equally affordable to everyone.

On the possibility of Greek organization funding, the administrators agreed that they weren’t the right people to ask about recognizing Greek organizations.

The conversation turned to awareness of financial assistance programs, and Student Union Officer for Diversity and Inclusion Zoe Fort ’21 recommended further communicating with the student body to find the best, most effective means of raising awareness about programs. Student Union President Hannah Brown ’19 suggested using posters around campus, as well as the large posters in the Shapiro Campus Center (SCC).

Another method of communication discussed was not only having more open forums for discussion with students but to meet with different student groups around campus. Emily McGovern ’21 suggested strengthening communication by word of mouth, which she described as more powerful than receiving emails.

McGovern, who said she had been to a few forums, said that communication had been a common issue in the discussions. Opening multiple lines of communication is necessary too, she said.

Uretsky agreed, saying that something he had learned over the years was that “You can’t over communicate.”

Another student, Janikah Brie ’20, asked if the Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program, which meets 100 percent of institutional calculated financial need for four to five years, according to the Brandeis MKTYP website, could be used to financially support a student getting a master’s program for their fourth year, if they plan to graduate in four rather than five years.

Avery responded that currently that would not be allowed, as once a student is considered a graduate student by the university registrar, they move into the graduate school’s pool for financial aid, which is significantly less than undergraduate, Avery said. Solomon and Uretsky said they would look into the matter.

The discussion started with general updates from the administration, including the 50 million dollar gift received from the Cohen foundation and the more recent news that laundry will be free starting in the next academic year. The laundry fees will be built into the room rate for students living on campus, said Solomon, and should not increase the fee a substantial amount.

Avery discussed different ways to apply for merit aid after beginning at Brandeis, including the Giumette Academic Achievement award, which is open to sophomores in their spring semester to apply for if they have a 3.70 or higher GPA and meet the other requirements.

Avery also described other programs for low income students, including health care vouchers, an emergency fund to help pay for student expenses such as food and a textbook voucher program. The money for the program, however, is dwindling. Avery said the fund would last for a year or maybe a year and a half, but more funds are expected to be raised at “Hoops for Help,” an annual Brandeis basketball game and fundraiser.

Avery also described the impact of a family’s assets on their financial aid package. Assets minimally impact the amount of aid given, Avery said, compared to income. A family’s retirement accounts are also excluded in the financial aid formula.

Avery also described how aid is determined, saying the office, “evaluates the ability to pay and not willingness.” Students in extreme circumstances can be considered independent, she said, but these circumstances are more rare.

Solomon responded to a question from Brown about why Brandeis is so expensive. Solomon described that Brandeis’ tuition rises each year in order to pay for faculty raises, inflation and money for deferred maintenance. Solomon also said that it was in part due to Brandeis’ small size, its emphasis on the sciences, its small endowment and its Ph.D. programs.

Solomon gave the idea of making certain Ph.D. programs, which cost more than they provide to the university, once every two years rather than every year. Ph.D. programs also offer other benefits to the university than financial, he said, such as improving the university’s reputation.

Uretsky discussed the sources of university fundraising, which come from alumni, family gifts and “friends of Brandeis.” There have been advancements in fundraising at Brandeis, he said, that include more staff in the Office of University Advancement who are able to reach out to more people.

Uretsky also discussed possible cuts to programs in response to a question by Student Union Vice President Aaron Finkel ’20. Uretsky responded that cuts would not be on the basis of finance alone.

Certain programs, ones that have a low contribution to the university’s mission and provide a low financial program might be considered, Uretsky said, but programs that contribute highly to the university’s mission also contribute to benefits other than financial.