Important Dates

Be sure all of your forms and payment are completed by their assigned deadlines:

• May 22: Full payment for Summer@Brown courses
• May 31: All required forms due for all students

Students registered after these deadlines are expected to complete form requirements and make payment in full within 48 hours of registration.

Checklists

Please log in to your student portal to complete your pre-program requirements. Parents/guardians also receive a checklist of items to complete, sent via email, so please remind them to check their email accounts for this important information that requires action.

The usernames and passwords associated with your Brown email address will be needed prior to and during your course time. Please be sure to document all usernames and passwords.

Forms

Forms are available through your student portal and are submitted electronically through DocuSign, an electronic signature provider where you can digitally complete and sign your required forms and waivers. Most forms include sections for both students and parents/guardians to complete.

Accessibility Services

If applicable, you may request accommodations based on a learning, psychological and/or physical disability, including medical conditions, temporary injuries and significant food allergies. Please be aware that all accommodation requests will be considered, however, there may be limits as to what can be provided. Be sure to submit your requests using the Medical Authorization and Health History Form at least two weeks prior to your course start  date. Please email accessibility@brown.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

Course Orientation

You will log into your course in Canvas during the week before your online course begins to complete your course orientation, during which you will get to know Canvas (Brown's learning management system), review course expectations and strategies for your success, learn about your instructor(s) and classmates and help them to learn a bit about you. These activities should take you a few hours that week to complete at your own pace. You are required to complete your orientation by the Friday before your course begins.. We will send you an email the day your orientation begins with instructions explaining how to access your course and begin orientation activities. From that point on you should be using your Brown email for course-related activities and information, checking daily for course announcements and information from your instructor/instructional support staff.

You will begin working with your instructor and classmates on the course itself on the course start date listed in the course catalog.

Course Expectations

You should plan to log into your course at least once each day to complete assignments and plan time to complete upcoming projects and meet deadlines. Expect to spend 15 to 20 hours per week engaged with course materials and plan your schedule accordingly. 

There are three different types of online courses. Please review your course’s description in the course catalog, or look in the “my schedule” tab of your student portal, to confirm which method of learning you will be participating in. If you are enrolled in a(n): 

• Blended course, you are required to review all asynchronous content and to attend 1 to 3 pre-scheduled live sessions each week, depending on the course.
• Mostly asynchronous course, you are required to review all asynchronous content and you will have the opportunity to attend a few optional live sessions and/or to review the recordings of those sessions.  
• Asynchronous course, you are required to review all asynchronous content and participate in all course assignments and discussions.

Academic Resources

You should consider taking advantage of many of the resources listed below. In college, getting support and learning outside of class is a great benefit and does not necessarily indicate you are having challenges. It’s a good idea to start getting comfortable using these resources now so you are prepared to do so in college.

• Course Materials: You are notified via your student portal at least two weeks prior to the start of your course regarding books or materials that you need to purchase. Other course specific supplies will be provided, if applicable. In addition, you should be prepared with pencils/pens, a notebook and any other essential items that you need for note-taking.
• Canvas: You will have access to course-specific resources virtually in Canvas. Canvas is the Learning Management Tool that Brown University uses for course materials, syllabus, communication with instructors and other resources for each course. 
• Libraries: All active students are able to access University Library resources virtually and in-person. To visit the Brown University Library follow the link here. 
• Writing Center: You can make an appointment to request support with writing assignments. Please follow the link here for details and an appointment request form.
• Language Support: Brown offers support to students whose primary language is not English. To find out more and to make an appointment, please follow the link here. 
• Instructor Office Hours: Office hours are a regular part of learning in universities. They are not the same as needing to meet with a teacher in high school because there is a problem. During office hours you can discuss course content and assignments, ask questions to expand your learning and have the opportunity to build a relationship with your instructor. Instructors will share their available office hours with you in the syllabus. We recommend you take advantage of these opportunities.

Inactive Online Students

You are required to remain active throughout your course. Inactivity within your course may result in dismissal from the program and you would not be eligible for a refund or Certificate of Completion. To remain active in your course you need to ensure that you are completing work and engaging in your course as required by your instructor as noted within your course syllabus. This includes but is not limited to, engaging with your classmates/instructor on the discussion board and completing all readings, assignments, projects and assessments on time. You should notify your instructor immediately by email regarding anything that may impact your activity in the course. It is your responsibility to stay up to date with email communications from your instructor and pre-college.

Activities

As an online student, you are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities. These activities can connect you with students who are taking other online courses, as well as some students attending programs on the Brown campus, offer valuable preparation as you consider your college options and provide opportunities to build a wider community. Registration for these events will be available in your student portal at the start of your course.

You are responsible for abiding by all pre-college policies and guidelines while participating in the program. These include policies listed on the policy page as well as any policies shared with you by instructors and Student Life staff. Please also review the financial policies, including payment and refund information.

At the end of your course, you will be asked to complete a course evaluation reflecting on your experience in the course. If your online course is three weeks or longer, you will receive a Course Performance Report from your instructor. If you successfully complete your program you will receive a digital CeCertificate of Completion. All completion materials including the Course Performance Report will be sent out in September. The certificate will be sent via a secured link to the email address you have on file and the Course Performance Report will be made available in your Student Portal.