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.
Support
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 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 2-3 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.
Our primary goal is to create a safe atmosphere that supports your success. Staff emphasize community-building and individual responsibility by encouraging students to develop these necessary skills and capacities in a way that is as enjoyable as it is rewarding. Student Life staff are always available to support commuter students throughout the duration of their program and can be found in the Student Life Office in Slater Residence Hall.
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 agree on the frequency and methods for keeping in touch while you are attending. For example, you could decide together that you will text your parent/guardian when you arrive to campus or call when your class is over.
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. 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. ET.
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. ET. 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 parents/guardians to determine the best approach to do so during the program.
Illness
You should inform program staff as soon as you are not feeling well, and will be asked to self-administer a COVID test and/or take your temperature, among other actions. If you are ill, you will need to be separated from others in the program to lower the possibility of any illness spreading and it is possible you may be asked to make plans to depart. Please note: there may be additional or different protocols implemented by a field trip location and are dependent on public health guidelines at the time of the program.
Class Attendance
Instructors will take attendance during each class. You are required to attend class.
While we understand that many students have very busy summer schedules, you should not enroll in classes that conflict with commitments that would require you to miss any days of class. Summer@Brown courses are intensive learning experiences where you will spend three hours in class each weekday. Absence within your course may result in dismissal from the program and you would not be eligible for a refund or a Certificate of Completion. Missing classes jeopardizes your ability to engage successfully and complete coursework and since many classes also involve group work, missing classes can 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
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. 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. 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. 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.
- 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 during the first course meeting 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 your program.
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. You are welcome to purchase additional meals from the dining halls.
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 May 31. 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 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
- Page-Robinson Hall
- 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.