Members of the Brown Community,

With the continued spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States, Brown is further updating its travel policy to suspend all non-essential University-sponsored travel within the country. The University will also temporarily suspend admissions tours and information sessions, and — in alignment with a decision from the Ivy League — limit attendance at spring season athletics competitions.

Each of these measures expands on policies and guidance shared in a March 6 campus update that announced the suspension of all University-sponsored international travel, as well as the suspension of on-campus events of 100 people or more (excluding academic courses).

Suspension of domestic travel: The expanded policy suspending domestic travel is effective commencing Friday, March 13, to allow for the cancellation or postponement of imminent plans. It will remain in place through at least May 30 and applies to all University-sponsored domestic travel by students, faculty and staff. This expanded policy includes non-essential domestic travel for any purpose, including conferences. Faculty and staff with questions about this restriction, or who may wish to request an exemption, may write to travelcovid@brown.edu. Brown will continue to assess travel conditions, informed by the U.S. Department of State, the R.I. Department of Health and other governmental agencies. Please visit Brown’s COVID-19 website for additional information, including details on reimbursement for Brown travel expenses.

Athletics events: The move to limit attendance at spring season athletics events comes as part of an Ivy League decision announced earlier today. At this time, for all spring athletics competitions, attendance will be restricted to team members, coaches, essential staff and three invited guests per team member. In addition, the Ivy League basketball tournaments, scheduled for March 13 to 15, will be canceled; and for out-of-season sports, practices will be prohibited. The league will continue to review the impact of COVID-19 on athletics, and updates on these measures may be made in the coming days or weeks.

Suspension of admissions tours and events: All campus tours and information sessions offered by the Office of College Admission will be suspended effective Wednesday, March 11 — families who had previously registered for sessions were informed earlier this week that March 10 would mark the last day before this suspension was activated. It will remain in place until at least mid-April. As noted earlier, the University has also cancelled all “A Day on College Hill” events for admitted students. All prospective and admitted undergraduate students will be invited to learn about Brown's campus through the University’s virtual tour and other means. Additionally, the Graduate School is directing all graduate programs with upcoming accepted student visit days to change the format of in-person events to online and virtual events until further notice.

Each of these measures will undoubtedly impact many members of the Brown community. We fully appreciate the challenges brought on by what has become a global health emergency, and recognize the inconvenience that the suspension of activities will have on many members of our community and friends of Brown.

We ask everyone on campus to understand that these policies are in place to support the health and well-being of the entire community. As is the case with any University policy, violations will be reviewed in the context of the appropriate codes of conduct for students, faculty and staff.

The health and safety of all members of the Brown community remains the University’s top priority, and Brown’s Core Crisis Team will maintain focus on that priority as it considers the impact of COVID-19 on the University community and all of Brown’s operations.

For more information and continued updates, please continue to consult Brown’s COVID-19 website.

Sincerely,

Richard M. Locke
Provost

Eric Estes
Vice President for Campus Life