Members of the Brown Community:

The University continues to carefully and thoughtfully consider the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for non-degree and visiting exchange students, visiting instructors and researchers, and general visitors to campus. We write with an update on guidance for campus visitors.

Guided by Brown’s commitment to safeguarding campus and community public health from the continuing risks of COVID-19 transmission, and based on ongoing travel restrictions in place from external agencies, Brown is extending the timeline for its current guidance on access to campus by non-degree students, visiting and exchange students and scholars, and general visitors. Unless exempt or pre-approved for essential functions, all visitors — from locations both in the U.S. and internationally — continue to be restricted until further notice. The updated guidance, outlined in detail below, relies on current public health information and may be revised if University planning and/or public health conditions evolve and prompt a shift in Brown’s operations and protocols.

GUIDANCE ON NON-DEGREE VISITING STUDENTS, EXCHANGE VISITORS AND OTHER CAMPUS VISITORS

Access to campus by non-essential visitors remains suspended until further notice. And all efforts should be made to limit the number of institutionally authorized visitors on campus. With the exception of those who are teaching, or who are approved for essential on-site research, lab and instructional duties, the following rules apply:

Non-degree, visiting undergraduate, graduate and medical students (domestic and international) will not be allowed to attend classes or events in person. (Note: This restriction does not apply to Division of Pre-College and Summer Undergraduate Programs, and Brown RISD Dual Degree programs, initiatives of the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership, undergraduate cross-registration programs with Wheaton College, graduate cross-registration programs with Harvard University, The Graduate School Exchange Scholar Program, or participants in the Employee Education Program.)

All in-person tours, information sessions and visits for prospective and admitted undergraduate, graduate and medical students, delegations and special groups remain suspended.

EXCLUSIONS AND EXEMPTIONS REQUEST PROCESS

Essential On-Campus Teaching & Research: Visiting and adjunct faculty, and visiting postdoctoral scholars who are teaching and/or approved for essential on-site research, are excluded from the on-campus visitors restriction. However, on-site research and teaching visitors should limit their time on campus to the research or teaching activities cited in their approved application to be on campus. The University has established detailed policies for on-campus operations for individuals with roles or work designated as essential: https://www.brown.edu/about/administration/human-resources/healthy-brown-workforce/return-campus-plans-and-guidelines

Approved on-site visiting and adjunct faculty and postdoctoral scholars must comply with University safety policies regarding COVID-19, complete any required training related to those policies, and may be subject to mandatory testing for COVID-19 depending on the nature of their role and amount of time on campus. For more information on designated essential roles, please consult your department chair and/or dean, as well as the Healthy Brown website FAQs for Staff and Managers, and Faculty Division. Requests for required essential on-campus non-lab work should follow the Return to Campus guidelines and must be submitted to the appropriate oversight committee for approval: https://www.brown.edu/about/administration/human-resources/healthy-brown-workforce/return-campus-plans-and-guidelines

Exemptions Petition Process: Department chairs, center and institute directors, senior deans and administrative leaders can request exemptions for visitors to come to campus for non-teaching, non-research purposes, or for other reasons that are critical to Brown’s mission. All other options to engage with visitors should be exercised in order to limit the number of exempt visitors on campus. To request an exemption, please complete the Exemption Form for Non-Research Related Visitor to Campus: https://forms.gle/5n5UNCzsSXxgdFPz6

All exemption requests will be reviewed and approved by the provost. Approved exempt visitors will be required to abide by Brown and Rhode Island’s public health guidance, and the hosting division will be required to track authorized visitors, including identifying the locations visited and any Brown employees and students they come into contact with, should contact tracing become necessary. Individuals who are approved to visit campus through this exemption process must consent to Brown’s COVID-19 Campus Safety Policy, including providing an acknowledgement to affirm their understanding and acceptance of this policy, complying with face mask and social distancing guidelines, completing a virtual workplace safety training (if applicable), participating in the COVID-19 on-campus testing protocol (if applicable), and maintaining a daily contact log.

We look forward to a time when public health circumstances allow for greater flexibility with campus visitors, who make vital contributions to our community. We will continue to monitor the evolving circumstances and will provide further guidance and updates as more information becomes available.

Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Asabe Poloma
Assistant Provost for Global Engagement