Dear Student,

We are glad to welcome you to campus and hope that your travel has gone smoothly. We are writing to provide some important information about the Quiet Period, which begins today with your arrival.  

The Quiet Period is an important time of observation and self-monitoring, consistent with guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), and developed based on the advice of public health and medical experts at Brown. The goals are to conduct COVID-19 testing during this period to identify people who may have infections and to prevent any community spread, recognizing that some students may have either pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic coronavirus infections when they arrive at Brown as a result of high rates of transmission in many parts of the country. Quiet Period is also an important time to establish norms and practices to help protect the health of the community. With your full adherence to the period’s requirements, we will find ourselves an even healthier community at the completion of your Quiet Period and beyond.

Restrictions During Stage One and Stage Two of Quiet Period 

During stage one of Quiet Period, a number of limitations are in place to fulfill its goals: Most importantly, you are not permitted to leave your residential building except to get a COVID-19 test, receive care from Health Services by appointment, pick up your dining hall meal at your designated location, or pick up mail or packages from Mail Services in Page-Robinson Hall. If health indicators are sufficiently favorable after the second negative COVID-19 tests of all the students arriving Jan. 9-12, we will proceed to stage two of the Quiet Period.

We will inform you when we are shifting to stage two. In stage two, you will be able to leave your residential building for limited, essential movement on campus, but you cannot have contact with the community beyond Brown’s campus – including students living off campus – until the Quiet Period fully concludes on Jan. 27. 

Only students assigned to a Brown-owned or Brown-leased property can enter the residence halls or Brown-leased properties located beyond the University’s physical campus. At no time can students living off campus in private housing enter the residence halls or Brown-leased properties. 

 Residential Community & RPLs

Residential Peer Leaders (RPLs) will be engaging with you virtually to introduce themselves and begin to build a sense of community. Your RPL will be inviting you to participate in virtual activities so that you can begin to meet the people who live around you and identify community members who share common interests. Your RPL will also visit with you about expectations related to COVID-19 and community responsibilities.  

Be sure to follow the signage posted in your residence hall regarding maximum capacity for shared spaces such as bathrooms, lounges and laundry rooms. If you have questions about your residential community, your RPL is an excellent resource.  

 Virtual Events and Programs

A full range of campus events and activities are available remotely, including programs and support provided by Brown's identity and cultural centers. A list of programs and events is available to you through the BrownU mobile app, which is available via Apple’s App Store or Google Play. If you already have the app downloaded, click on the person icon and switch your persona to “Quiet Period.” If you are downloading for the first time, this information will populate automatically for you. Also check Today@Brown for daily event offerings from across campus. 

The Nelson Fitness Center offers free virtual group fitness classes. These pre-recorded classes are available from the Brown Recreation web page. Cycle through the different class offerings and press play to follow along with the instructor. Classes do not require equipment and can be completed from your room. The classes offer varying levels of difficulty, with modifications for all movements. 

 Campus Resources 

All campus resources remain available to you remotely, and many will have an in-person presence after the Quiet Period concludes. 

Health Services is available to you for consultation should you have health-related questions or concerns. You may contact Health Services Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 401-863-3953. For nursing advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, please call 401-863-1330.

The Pharmacy can help attend to your prescription refills or questions regarding medications.

The staff may be reached during Health Services hours at 401-863-7882.

Similarly, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is available to you for consultation with a therapist 24/7 by calling 401-863-3476.

For information about additional resources, you can consult the websites for Campus Life and the College. 

The Brown Bookstore will be closed to students for in-person shopping from Jan. 13 until stage two of the Quiet Period begins. Online orders placed with the Brown Bookstore will be delivered to Mail Services, where you will be able to pick up your packages.  

 Daily Meal Pick-up Times and Locations

All students in Brown residences will be able to get meals from Brown Dining Services during the Quiet Period, regardless of their meal plan status. Refer to the email you received from Brown Dining Services on either Jan. 5 or 6 with the subject line “Quiet Period Meal pickup location and time" for information about your assigned meal pick-up location and assigned lunch and dinner times. 

In Closing

It is critically important for the protection of the health of the Brown and greater Providence communities that everyone adheres fully to required protocols and prevention measures. If you have urgent needs during the Quiet Period, please contact Student Support Services (401-863-3145) during business hours or the Administrator On-Call (401-863-3322) after business hours.

Please continue to consult the Healthy Brown website for the most current information.  

Best regards, 

Vanessa Britto, M.D., M.Sc., FACP
Associate Vice President for Campus Life
Executive Director of Health and Wellness

Koren Bakkegard
Associate Vice President for Campus Life
Dean of Students