Dear Second-Year Students,

We hope you are safe and healthy.

As you know, Brown made an announcement last Tuesday, August 11, about the phased approach to the start of in-person instruction for the fall term . Brown will make a decision in just three and a half weeks about Phase 2 and whether students will be invited to return to campus in mid-September to prepare for the start of in-person instruction on October 6.

We are aware of the coincidence of the move in dates and the quiet period for Phase 2 with the Jewish High Holy Days. Information about navigating the Jewish High Holy Days— and religious observances more broadly—within the context of Brown's public health considerations will be posted on the Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life and Brown RISD Hillel websites and announced in the coming weeks.

 We also know that the uncertainties about the spring term add challenges to your planning. We will know by November 1 whether second year students will be able to be on campus for the spring term. Even if the public health situation does not allow second years to be on campus in the spring, you will have the option to continue with your coursework remotely in the spring or plan to return for the summer term.

 We have received many questions about whether second-year students can receive off-campus permission, and whether second-year students can move to Providence early, in anticipation of a mid-September return for in-person instruction. We want to be sure that students understand the University’s position on these questions.

 Second-year students are not eligible for off-campus permission. Unless you have permission to move into a residence hall before Labor Day, you should not travel to Providence until (and if) you are invited to return in mid-September. Brown’s plan—of phasing the return of students to campus and enrolling them in a COVID-19 testing program as soon as they return—is meant to protect the health of students, faculty, staff and our Providence neighbors. Second year students who return early without approval will be undermining this plan, putting themselves and others at risk, and (if there is an outbreak of COVID-19 involving returning second-year students) possibly jeopardizing the opportunity for all students to return in mid-September. Students who return early without permission may be referred to the student conduct process, and possible sanctions could include suspension, being restricted from campus and/or restricted from in-person participation in any events this year, and/or not receiving off-campus permission in future semesters/years.

 We also want to clarify that students who choose to study remotely for the entire semester should not live in the Providence area. Students who choose a remote location of study and live in Providence will be violating the University’s rules and potentially endangering the health and safety of themselves and others. The safety of our community requires that students are honest about their location of study, which informs critical efforts related to testing and contact tracing meant to help keep the entire community healthy and well. Dishonesty about location of study will be referred to the student conduct process, and possible sanctions could include academic suspension.

 Students who will be living in the City of Providence, whether they live on campus or have been granted permission  to live off campus, will be required to read and sign the Student Commitment to COVID-19 Community Health and Safety Requirements (Student Commitment); complete an online educational module; and follow a set of pre-arrival requirements and recommendations. Failure to comply with the health and safety requirements contained in the Student Commitment on or off campus (including but not limited to wearing masks, social distancing, testing, contact tracing, and limiting the size of social gatherings for attendees and especially hosts) will be a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and will be addressed through the COVID-19 Student Conduct Procedures with sanctions up to and including removal from campus and academic suspension.

 As a Brown community, we are entrusting our well-being to one another, and our individual behaviors are vital to keeping our entire community healthy. Caring for one another is a hallmark of Brown, and we appreciate your understanding and compliance with these expectations for the health and safety of the Brown and greater Providence communities.

Sincerely,
Eric Estes
Vice President for Campus Life

Rashid Zia
Dean of the College