Dear Continuing Students,

We hope you are doing well at the conclusion of the semester. 

As you read in President Christina H. Paxson’s message on April 6, Brown is planning to return to the traditional two-semester academic calendar and mostly in-person operations beginning in Fall 2021, including normal residential, co-curricular and athletic experiences. Only a portion of the curriculum will be available in hybrid or fully online form. Students who have exceptional circumstances that prevent their return to Providence and who have a compelling academic reason to be enrolled may request to study remotely from their permanent residence. Students who will be on leave in Fall 2021 can disregard this message.

If you cannot return to campus this fall because of health concerns or disability, travel restrictions, or other hardships, you must submit a request for an exceptional circumstances exemption no later than 8:00 a.m. EST on Monday, May 17, via the Fall 2021 Housing & Non-Resident Forms. (If you are a student with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to study remotely, you must also register with Student Accessibility Services at SAS@brown.edu.) Students may be contacted for advising and discussion about the circumstances described in their request. Students will receive notification of the outcome of their request the week of June 1, 2021. Further information about the exceptional circumstances exemption request follows below in the form of Frequently Asked Questions; please read the information carefully so you understand this process fully. 

If you have any questions, please contact Fall2021@brown.edu. 

Eric Estes
Vice President for Campus Life

Rashid Zia
Dean of the College

FAQs Regarding Exemption for Remote Study in Fall 2021 for Exceptional Circumstances

I am not sure if I will need to study remotely in the Fall. Should I submit a request?

Yes, if you believe that there are exceptional circumstances that may prevent your return to Providence this fall, you should submit a request. This request form will be the only opportunity to request an exemption to study remotely for exceptional circumstances for the Fall 2021 semester. 

When will I know which classes will be offered in hybrid or fully online form?

The subset of classes that will be offered in a hybrid or fully online format will not be known until late summer, but the request to study remotely should be independent of the course offerings. By submitting a request to study remotely, you are indicating that there are exceptional circumstances that may prevent your return to Providence. After approval to study remotely, you will have an opportunity to request a personal leave of absence if the course offerings do not meet your academic goals.

What happens if I receive approval for remote study in the fall? 

If you are approved, you will be required to study remotely from your permanent residence for Fall 2021. You will not be eligible to participate in the on-campus housing selection process for 2021-22, including pre-lottery and lottery processes.

What happens if I do not receive approval for remote study in the fall? 

If you are not approved, you have the option to study in Providence or request a personal leave of absence. Leave requests submitted after the May 1 deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis; all students requesting a personal leave for the fall term must speak with an academic advising dean. 

If students can’t easily get access to the vaccine where they are residing — in the U.S. or abroad — can they get vaccinated upon arrival at Brown? 

It is our expectation that students who are unable to access the COVID-19 vaccine prior to arrival in the fall, especially international students, will be able to get vaccinated in the State of Rhode Island where they will be living and studying. There will be additional information over the summer from University Health Services regarding the implementation of the vaccination requirements, including the process for requesting an exemption for medical or religious reasons.

Can I apply to study remotely from my permanent residence if it is within 30 miles of campus (i.e., if I am a commuter)?  

Yes, in Fall 2021, students who live within 30 miles of campus will be eligible to request remote study for exceptional circumstances. Students who are approved will be required to study remotely from their permanent residence and not visit campus. 

Can I study remotely from a location other than my permanent residence?

No, the exceptional circumstance permission to study remotely in Fall 2021 will only be available to students who are studying remotely from their permanent residence. If you are unable to study remotely from your permanent residence and are concerned that you may not be able to return to Providence this fall, we would encourage you to reach out to Student Support Services for advice and support.

What if my plans change after I am approved for remote study and I want to study in Providence? 

Students in their seventh semester or later are eligible to change their status and live off campus. Students in one of their first six semesters — who are required to live on campus — would join the waitlist for on-campus housing and would only be able to change their status and live on-campus if on-campus housing becomes available. On-campus housing is not guaranteed for students who have been approved for remote study due to exceptional circumstances and change their plans. 

What if my circumstances change after the May 17 deadline? 

Students cannot request remote study for exceptional circumstances after May 17. If your circumstances change after the May 17 deadline and you are not able to study in Providence in Fall 2021, you may request a leave of absence. Leave requests submitted after the May 1 deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis; all students requesting a personal leave for the fall term must speak with an academic advising dean.