On Campus Spaces
Commuter students are welcome to utilize on campus, public spaces to study, collaborate and connect with peers. In addition to academic buildings, the Stephen Robert ‘62 Campus Center and University Libraries are open to commuter students and offer individual and group spaces.
Supervision
You will learn quickly how—and how necessary it is—to balance your academic responsibilities with out of the classroom engagement in a new community. Summer@Brown students will be able to make their own decisions throughout each day about how they spend their time. Time management is a skill that will serve you well once in college, so learning this skill by practicing it while in high school is highly beneficial. At a minimum, you will be expected to attend 3 hours of class each weekday; complete 2 to 3 hours of out of class work each day, sometimes with classmates; understand the dining hall locations and hours so you are able to eat while on campus each day, keep yourself hydrated throughout the day and make sure you get a good night of sleep. We also hope that you will take advantage of the many extra-curricular activities that will be available to you.
While a lot will be expected of you as a Summer@Brown student, you do so with the help of a team of carefully selected and trained staff. Brown University’s Pre-College Student Life staff includes year-round staff, Student Life Managers who often work with K-12 students throughout the year, Coordinators who are primarily enrolled in graduate degree programs in student affairs or higher education, Resident Assistants, who are generally college-aged, support the residential experience and live with students as well as staff supporting campus-wide events and housing operations.
These skilled and caring staff help you learn how to balance the competing demands of an exceptionally rich and rewarding academic and social life and serve as a resource for support in guiding you to resources around campus and in choosing student organizations to join and helping with both emergency and non-emergent needs. Our primary goal is to create a safe atmosphere which supports student success. Additionally, the residential staff's emphasis on community-building and individual responsibility encourages students to develop these necessary skills and capacities in a way that is as enjoyable as it is rewarding. You will meet our student life staff at your student orientation and at any events or activities you choose to participate in.
Contacting Pre-College Students
You and your parents/guardians may find that cell phones are the most convenient option for keeping in touch. Except in emergency situations, Brown University staff cannot honor requests to locate a student; hence, our request is that prior to the start of the program you and your parents/guardians arrange the frequency and methods for keeping regular times to be in touch while you are attending. If there is an emergency situation in which a student needs to be contacted, parents/guardians can contact the Brown Department of Public Safety: 401-863-3322 and ask to speak to the Student Life Manager on Call. Please note in your call that the student is a commuter student. If you have any non-emergency questions or concerns, please contact the Pre-College office at 401-863-7900 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.
Personal Health and Medical Emergencies
If you have a minor health concern, you can be seen at Brown University’s Health Services Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. Should you need to visit Health Services, you are encouraged to schedule an appointment by calling 401-863-3953. Nursing advice is available 24/7 at 401-863-1330, and certified first aid staff are also available to assist on evenings or weekends. If you require non-emergency care from a healthcare professional outside of Brown University Health Services hours, you may also be taken to a local Urgent Care facility. In the event of a medical emergency, you will generally be transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.
You are responsible for safely storing and taking your own prescription medication. If you are not accustomed to managing your own medication you should work with your family to determine the best approach to do so during the program.
Class Attendance
Instructors will take attendance during each class.
Summer@Brown courses are intensive learning experiences where you will spend 3 hours in class each weekday. Students are required to attend class. Absence or inactivity within your course may result in a dismissal from the program. Students dismissed for reasons of absence or inactivity will not be refunded. Missing classes jeopardizes your ability to engage successfully and complete course work. Many classes also involve group work, and missing classes can also negatively impact the learning experience of other students in your class.
Outside of Class Expectations
You will be expected to complete at least 2 to 3 hours of homework each day. This work may include readings, group projects, writing assignments and presentations.
Academic Resources
- 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. You should come 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.
- 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. If you request to borrow books from the library, they can be picked up in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library Lobby at 10 Prospect Street.
- 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.
- 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 obtain support regarding key questions that you would like to expand your learning on and have the opportunity to build a relationship with your instructor. Instructors will share their available Office Hours with you during the first course and likely in the syllabus. We recommend you take advantage of these opportunities.
Activities
Upon arrival you will be provided access to an in-person activities and excursions calendar. Registration for virtual workshops, mentor groups and webinars will be available in the student portal.
You will also have access to the Nelson Fitness Center, including their pool and fitness classes throughout the duration of their program. For more information about their offerings, please visit the Brown Recreation website.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in two of Brown’s dining halls daily.
One meal a day is included in the cost of commuter student program fees.
Dining Services Information
There are resources to help you with food-related allergies, dietary restrictions and other needs for accommodations to navigate the options in the dining halls. Prior to arrival, you should familiarize yourself with Brown’s dining website which provides information about the various dietary options available. This site also includes icons for specific food types (e.g. gluten free) that are consistent with those found in the on-campus dining locations. Brown offers a variety of options and signage that allow many students to manage without additional accommodations. Students with any food restrictions are encouraged to utilize the Brown Dining My Meal site while on-campus. This tool is designed to help you make educated food choices in Brown’s dining halls and includes specific ingredients used in all available dishes.
If you have a food allergy, dietary restriction or a need for another accommodation please indicate this on your Medical Authorization and Health History Form by June 2. The University’s Dietician will reach out to you directly to offer to discuss your dining options. Options could include using an online special meal request system, access to the Allergen Friendly Pantry and guidance navigating the online information and dining halls. In addition, temporary dining accommodations can be provided using a Chef's card that is available on request when you swipe into the main dining hall, the Sharpe Refectory (Ratty). These cards can be used to request a special meal if you arrive on a weekend and have not yet formally arranged accommodations. These cards will enable you to request a meal that is gluten-free or free of the following allergens: shellfish, soy, dairy, nuts, peanuts, eggs, wheat, alcohol and fish. The menu options using this card are more limited and a meal is provided once the card is received, so these meals will take some additional time to prepare.
Bear Bucks
Bear Bucks Guest Cards allow you to use vending machines. You must purchase a Bear Bucks Guest Card for $1.00 at a Bear Bucks Kiosk. Money should be added to your Bear Bucks Guest Card as needed and in small increments as the unused balance is non-refundable. Please DO NOT add funds/Bear Bucks directly to your Brown ID card.
Bear Bucks Kiosks to purchase Bear Bucks Guest Cards are available to you at the following locations on campus.
- Sharpe Refectory
- Stephen Robert ‘62 Campus Center
- Brown Bookstore
- Emery Woolley Hall
Lost and Found
The lost and found is located at the Department of Public Safety 401-863-1663. Items of value left behind, such as jewelry, money and laptop computers will be turned in and students should call the DPS office to retrieve lost items.
Campus Improvements
Students attending Brown Pre-College on campus programs may encounter campus improvement efforts, including, but not limited to, construction, painting and grounds maintenance. Wherever possible, Brown University and Brown Pre-College have taken steps to mitigate the impact of such projects on Pre-College participants.