Brown University’s Division of Pre-College and Undergraduate Programs welcomes students from the city of Providence, across the United States and over 70 other countries to participate in academically rigorous, developmentally appropriate, non-credit coursework and experiences. Courses are offered on campus, online and in a variety of domestic and international locations through two different programs: Pre-College Programs and the Brown Collegiate Scholars Program.
This page includes Frequently Asked Questions that provide safety and security information for those attending in-person Brown University Pre-College Programs on campus in Providence, Rhode Island, in summer 2026 or the Brown Collegiate Scholars Program throughout the year. This information may be updated to reflect any changes in Brown’s access and security posture.
SAFETY AND SECURITY AT BROWN
What is Brown’s commitment to safety and security?
Brown is deeply committed to the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff and visitors. The safety and security of the Brown community is not only a priority, but a responsibility aligned with the University’s core institutional values that affirm that the University “holds itself responsible for generating the conditions necessary for every individual member of its community to thrive.” We recognize that a secure campus is a necessary condition for fulfilling our mission of education and research and for all members of our community to feel a sense of security and belonging as they pursue knowledge in service to society.
What is the staffing model for safety and security at Brown?
Brown University’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management (DPSEM) is a fully functioning police department that serves the Brown community year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, patrolling the campus to deter crime, develop community relations and respond to calls for service and assistance. The department’s mission emphasizes crime prevention, problem solving and joint officer-community responsibility. DPSEM also works in close partnership with the Providence Police Department and other law enforcement agencies as needed.
Brown University’s public safety officers are a blend of dedicated professionals, including sworn police officers who are specially trained to meet the unique needs of a university setting and non-sworn safety staff, who provide essential layers of support alongside officers, from campus building security to community assistance. Brown’s sworn officers are Rhode Island state-certified graduates of a police academy, licensed as Special Police Officers with the authority to maintain safety on and around the Brown campus and enforce the laws of the state of Rhode Island and the ordinances of the City of Providence. Please review the Brown DPSEM website for additional safety information and resources.
What measures are in place for securing Brown residence halls?
All residence halls on the Brown campus are accessible by Brown ID card swipe and individual rooms within residence halls are accessed by keys. Only those students and Brown staff who reside in a specific residence hall and other authorized Brown staff, have access to swipe into the building. Authorized Brown staff are able to access individual rooms in an emergency.
Pre-College student curfew is at 10 p.m., 7 days a week. Students must check in with their Residence Assistant (RA) anytime between 9:30 and 10 p.m. and must remain in their assigned building and on their assigned floor after check-in until 6 a.m.
What should students know about using their Brown ID on campus?
Students should carry their Brown ID card at all times. Students use Brown ID cards for access to a range of campus facilities and services. Examples include:
- Their assigned residence hall
- All-you-care to eat meals in the dining halls
- $30 for printing at specified campus locations
- Operate washers and dryers for free
- The Nelson Fitness Center facilities and classes
- Brown Libraries
- Specific academic buildings in use for summer programs
What resources are available to students if they have a security concern while on campus?
If a student is unsure whether a security concern warrants a call, it is best to call public safety to allow the department to assess and determine any appropriate action. The Brown Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management handles both emergency and non-emergency calls.
- Emergencies: Call the Brown Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management (DPSEM) at 401-863-4111 or dial 911.
Outdoor emergency phones/blue lights on campus: There are approximately 200 outdoor phones located on or near the exterior of all residence halls and most university buildings. Outdoor emergency phones are housed in gray or yellow cases and have a blue light above them. These phones have a direct speed-calling button (marked in red) with an automatic identifier so that the Communications Officer will know your location when the call is answered. When getting acquainted with the campus, note the locations of these phones.
Safewalk is a walking escort service staffed by Pre-College Student Life staff. Students will be provided information about the service and contact information during their on-campus orientation sessions.
- Non-emergencies and safety concerns: Call DPSEM at 401-863-3322.
How is the Brown community notified in an emergency?
RAVE BrownAlerts: During critical events, Brown uses this system to deliver instructions to students, faculty, staff and others via text. All Pre-College and BCSP students are automatically enrolled in the Rave BrownAlerts system while they are participating in their program using the phone number they have as the primary one in their student portal. Please ensure that the student’s phone number is what is listed, not the parent/guardian, so that the student can receive timely information directly. All Pre-College and BCSP staff are also enrolled in these alerts and will receive the same messages students do to be able to support students in an emergency.
CAMPUS SAFETY AND SECURITY ACTIONS FOLLOWING DECEMBER 13 TRAGEDY
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT BROWN’S RESPONSE FOLLOWING THE DECEMBER 13 INCIDENT?
Community Messages from the University regarding the events of December 13, 2025 are available to the Brown community, visitors and all members of the public on the University’s Brown Ever True website.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT BROWN UNIVERSITY’S EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EFFORTS?
The BrownReady website reflects emergency preparedness guidance written by experts to keep college and university campuses safe, including information about programs, emergency communication systems, training and response.
STANDARD SECURITY PROTOCOLS FOR OFF-CAMPUS ACTIVITY FOR PRE-COLLEGE STUDENTS
Students are permitted to travel within the state of Rhode Island without supervision from Pre-College staff or written permission from their parents or guardians. Travel should not interfere with a student’s ability to attend all mandatory classes and activities, complete out-of-class assignments, or abide by curfew. Students who plan to travel outside of the state of Rhode Island are required to submit a form signed by their parent or guardian at least 24 hours in advance of departing campus. Students are expected to continue to abide by all applicable program policies while off campus.
What is Brown’s Overnight Leave Policy for Pre-College students?
Students who plan to leave campus overnight are required to submit a form signed by their parent or guardian at least 24 hours in advance of departing campus. This policy does not apply to staying out past curfew.
SECURITY INFORMATION FOR PRE-COLLEGE IN-PERSON PROGRAMS OFF-CAMPUS (BEE AND BELL)
WHAT ARE THE SECURITY PROTOCOLS FOR OFF-CAMPUS PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAMS?
Students are with their program cohort, including staff, during meals, academic sessions, site visits and community building activities. Students are asked to check in with staff throughout the day; if a student is late for any check-in and cannot be located within 15 minutes, program staff will contact campus or local law enforcement to assist with the search.
The Division works closely with site affiliates, International SOS (health and security service firm) and local law enforcement agencies as needed. In-person site assessments are completed of all locations where Pre-College off-campus programs are held.
WHAT IS THE STAFFING MODEL FOR PRE-COLLEGE OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS?
Off-campus programs are cohort based and have small student to staff ratios. Staffing for each program includes an On-Site Director, an On-Site Coordinator and at least two Student Life Managers. Students are with their program cohort, including staff, during meals, academic sessions, site visits and community building activities.
WHAT MEASURES ARE IN PLACE FOR SECURING RESIDENCE HALLS IN OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS?
Brown Experiential Education (BEE): Oxford
St. Edmund College has a Porter Lodge at the main entrance. The Porter Lodge is staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Campus facilities are only accessible by access card and keys.
Brown Experiential Education (BEE): Barcelona
The Beyoo Marina facility has a welcome desk that is staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Additionally, students access the facility with an ID card that is swiped after walking through a metal detector. Students access residential rooms with keys.
Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL): Alaska
The University of Alaska residence halls are secured 24/7, accessible via student ID cards. Interior hallways are restricted to residents of that floor, while individual rooms require keys.
Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL): Florida Keys
MarineLab is a private facility accessible only to staff and guests. All exterior gates and doors remain locked 24/7, and student dorms require a key for entry.
Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL): Rhode Island
As this BELL program takes place on the Brown campus, the protocols associated with other on-campus programs apply (see above).
WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS KNOW ABOUT USING THEIR ID AT AFFILIATE SITES?
Students should carry their ID card and room keys at all times. Students use their ID cards for access to a range of facilities and services, including but not limited to their assigned residence hall and meals in the dining facilities.
WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS IF THEY HAVE A SECURITY CONCERN WHILE ATTENDING AN OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAM?
If a student has any security concerns, they should notify program staff and affiliate security who will assess and determine any appropriate action. Students may also choose to dial 911 (for domestic programs) or 112 (for international programs) to reach emergency services directly. If a student reaches out to emergency services on their own, we ask that they inform the program staff as soon as they are able.