2010 Guide to Brown FORENTERINGGRADUATESTUDENTS Guide to Brown FORENTERINGGRADUATESTUDENTS
CONTENTS
Calendar 3
Message from the Deans 4
About Brown 5
About the Graduate School 6
Living at Brown 8
Academics and Research 10
Professional Development 14
Financing Graduate School 16
International Students 18
Campus Offices and Services 19 Brown University Box 1867 Beyond the Gates Providence, RI 02912 30 (401) 863-2600 [email protected] www.gradschool.brown.edu
SPRING 2010 Calendar for 2010–2011
Semester I Semester II
August 1 January 1 Last day for Graduate School to receive: Last day for payment of charges • Final transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work in progress at time of application January 17 • Last day for payment of charges Martin Luther King Jr. holiday; no classes
August 20 January 26 International graduate student pre-orientation First day of Semester II classes. Theses of candidates for master’s/Ph.D. degrees in May are due. August 27 February 8 New Student Orientation, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Last day to add a course without a fee August 31 Registration of new students for fall semester February 19-22 Long weekend; no classes September 1 February 23 First day of Semester I classes. Opening Convocation. Last day to add a course, change from audit September 6 to credit, or change a grade option declaration Labo r Day holiday; no classes March 26-April 3 September 14 Spring recess Last day to add a course without a fee April 1 September 28 Dea dline for declaring a leave or to confirm Last day to add a course, change from audit readmission for Semester I to credit, or change a grade option declaration April 19-26 October 8 Registration for Semester I, 2011-12 Deadline for students on leave to confirm readmission for Semester II. Last day to change April 29 from credit to audit in a course. Th eses of candidates for master’s/Ph.D. degrees in May are due. Deadline for declaring a leave October 11 for Semester I. Fall Weekend April 29-May 10 November 2-9 Reading Period Re gistration for Semester II May 10 November 24-28 Classes end for courses not observing Th anksgiving recess, begins Wednesday at noon the Reading Period. Last day to drop a course or to file for an incomplete. December 1 Dea dline for declaring a leave for Semester II May 11-20 Final examination period December 4-8 Reading period May 29 Commencement December 9-17 Fi nal examination period
December 11 Clas ses end for courses not observing the Reading Period. Last day to drop a course or to file for an incomplete.
Guide to Brown CALENDAR 3 Message from the Deans
Welcome to Brown!
You and other new students come from across the globe to undertake graduate education. We look forward to greeting you at our August 27 Orientation for New Students.
This guide will help to prepare you for your early days on campus. It provides information on life at Brown and living in Rhode Island. It highlights important dates, contacts, governance, and resources.
We urge you to engage with your peers and the broader intellectual community at Brown. There is a long tradition of fostering difference, healthy skepticism, and independent thinking. Students often say Brown’s culture of dialogue and collabo- ration shapes their experience.
On behalf of the incoming dean of the Graduate School, Peter Weber, and the staff of the Graduate School, we wish you well with your preparations for graduate school.
Thank you for choosing Brown!
Cordially,
Sheila Bonde Dea n of the Graduate School
Brian Walton Associate Dean of Finance and Administration
Guide to Brown MESSAGE FROM THE DEANS 4 About Brown
Brief History Brown’s climate of openness and cooperation can be traced back to its founding as the third college in New England and the seventh in America. Brown was the Baptist answer to Congregationalist Yale and Harvard, Presbyterian Princeton, and Episcopalian Penn and Columbia. It welcomed students of all religious persuasions (following the example of Roger Williams, who founded Rhode Island in 1636 on the same principle). Brown has long since shed its Baptist affiliation, but it remains dedicated to diversity and intellectual freedom. Founded in 1764 as the College of Rhode Island in Warren, Rhode Island, the school registered its first students in 1765. It moved in 1770 to its present location on College Hill, overlooking the capital city of Providence. Graduate study at Brown University began in 1850, when a provision was made for the awarding of the master’s degree upon successful completion of one year of academic work beyond the bachelor’s degree. This system was discontinued in 1857. The more modern tradition of graduate study at Brown began in 1887, when the faculty and fellows agreed to publish in the following year’s catalog rules for the awarding of both the master’s and the Ph.D. degree in regular programs of advanced work. The first master’s degrees under the new plan were granted in 1888 and the first Ph.D.s in 1889.
Brown Basics • Brown’s motto is In Deo Speramus – In God We Hope. The University colors are red and brown. The University mascot is the bear. The costumed bear mascot that appears at athletic games is named Bruno. • The University employs approximately 700 full-time faculty members, all of whom teach undergraduate, graduate, or medical students. • The main campus occupies 143 acres on the East Side of Providence. Included within the main campus are 232 buildings. The University also owns a number of properties in the Jewelry District of Providence and 376 acres at Mount Hope in Bristol, R.I.
Traditions Brown has some proud traditions going back decades and even centuries. Some of the practices observed at Brown are listed below. • The Van Wickle Gates are opened only twice a year: inward toward the campus on the day of Opening Convocation and outward down the hill on Commencement Day. • Candles traditionally have been lit in the windows of University Hall on Christmas Eve, Reunion and Commencement Weekend, Rhode Island Independence Day, and the anniversary of George Washington’s visit to the University in 1790 to receive an honorary degree. • When you are in need of some good luck, wander over to the John Hay Library and rub the nose of the statue of John Hay. This charm supposedly has been effective since 1910.
Guide to Brown ABOUT BROWN 5 About the Graduate School
The most comprehensive and up-to-date source of information about the Graduate School is our website. Much of the information in this guide is also available there. If you have questions about anything provided here, check the site for updates or supplementary information. If you have any questions or concerns that are not addressed by this guide or the website, please email us at [email protected].
New Student Orientation Each year the Graduate School organizes a daylong orientation program for new graduate students. New Student Orientation offers a full introduction to Brown, the Graduate School, and academic life, as well as social and health issues on campus, security matters, and other important information for all first-time Brown graduate students. New Student Orientation for the 2010–11 academic year will take place on Friday, August 27, 2010. Please consult the Graduate School’s online calendar in July for the final time and details on this year’s program. Many departments and programs also offer specialized orientations for their incoming students. There is also an additional orientation program for international students on Friday, August 20. For details please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (see page 18 for the section on International Students).
Online Calendar The Graduate School’s online calendar is a comprehensive listing of dates, deadlines, and events that are relevant to graduate students. Listings include academic deadlines and other dates related to registration, orientation, etc. Once students have registered for and activated their Brown email addresses (see the section on Computing and Information Services), the Graduate School calendar allows them to register for reminders about upcoming events or deadlines, as do all the online calendars at Brown.
Directors of Graduate Study Every department or program offering a graduate-level degree at the University has a director of graduate study (DGS). Faculty members who act as the primary liaisons between graduate students and the Graduate School, DGSs are responsible for all graduate-student issues in their respective programs. DGSs are expected to send annual updates to graduate students informing them of their academic standing and progress and are the primary point of contact for students who need to make special requests regarding admission, appointments, leaves of absence, etc.
Graduate School Governance The Graduate Council sets policy for the Graduate School, subject to the approval of the faculty and the Board of Fellows. Such policy includes the conditions for admission, the supervision of degree requirements, the approval process for new courses and other modifications of existing degree programs, and approval and recommendations to the faculty regarding new degree programs.
Guide to Brown ABOUT THE GRADUATE SCHOOL 6 Graduate Student Council The Graduate Student Council congratulates you on your decision to join the Graduate School at Brown. The Graduate Student Council (GSC) is the official organization for graduate students of Brown University. The GSC organizes social events and free classes to bring people across departments into contact with one another. To support graduate academic life, the GSC offers financial support for graduate student-driven events and for graduate students to attend conferences. It also serves as a forum for graduate student concerns. Every month, the GSC convenes in the Graduate Lounge to discuss issues affecting our academic and non-academic lives. The GSC acts as a liaison between graduate students and the Graduate School by bringing our concerns to the administration. As a rep- resentative body, the GSC is comprised of student representatives from every academic department, though meetings are open to all. Please contact your departmental representative for more information. The complete list of representatives is available on the GSC website: www.brown.edu/Students/GSC.
GSC Listservs The GSC operates three listservs for the graduate community. Students use these listservs to share important information, to solicit advice, to post items for sale or housing for rent, and to advertise the many events that happen on campus. After activating your Brown Account and Email ID, sign up for GSC listservs by visiting www.brown.edu/Students/GSC/static/mailing-lists.
Graduate Student Wiki The Graduate Student Council maintains an open-source webpage for sharing a wide variety of information about campus life and university resources, as well as general information about Providence. Once your Brown account and email are set up, you can access graduate student advice on life at Brown by visiting https://wiki.brown.edu/confluence/display/gsc/Home.
Graduate School Deans and Staff
DEANS Jabbar R. Bennett Beverly Larson Director of Communications As sistant Dean for Recruiting Sheila Bonde and Professional Development Gail Lee Dean of the Graduate School • Recruitment Payroll Specialist Professor of History of Art • Mentor and advise students Nancy Picard and Architecture and postdocs on career path Administrative Manager Professor of Archaeology and progression Lisa Ramos Admission Coordinator Peter Weber ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Michelle Rose Incomin g Dean Admission Coordinator of the Graduate School Barbara Bennett Academic Affairs Manager Tanitia Sello Associate Professor Finance and Budget Analyst of Chemistry Marie Carreiro Admission Coordinator Lani Stack Communications Specialist Brian Walton Maria Faria Admission Coordinator Associa te Dean of the Graduate School Carrie Honeman Executive Assistant • Graduate School finance and administration Scott Houde • Student support Computing Manager and financial aid Julie Kindschy • Student health insurance Admission and Financial Reporting Manager
Guide to Brown ABOUT THE GRADUATE SCHOOL 7 Living at Brown
Brown’s campus is bordered on three sides by residential areas with an abundance of apartments and multi-bedroom houses that can be shared. Most Brown graduate students live off campus in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the University, but there are also on-campus housing options available.
Off-Campus Housing Service The Auxiliary Housing Office maintains listings of apartments and houses by independent landlords and management companies in the greater Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts area. The “Off-Campus Housing Service” on the Auxiliary Housing website has listings ranging in size from Office of Auxiliary Housing efficiency/one-bedroom to four- and five-bedroom apartments and houses; roommates, sublets, Brown University Box 1902 and sabbatical listings are also found here. Other resources include the Providence Journal real estate Providence, RI 02912 section, www.projo.com, as well as the graduate student listserv (see the Graduate Student Council (401) 863-2541 website for details on the listservs). [email protected] www.brown.edu/Administration/ First-Year Graduate Housing Program Auxiliary_Housing/ A number of apartments are reserved by Auxiliary Housing for first-year graduate students who are moving to Providence area. On- or near-campus efficiency and one-bedroom apartments are available through this program. Applications for the first-year housing program, as well as detailed descriptions of each type of unit, floor plans, pricing, and photos of apartment interiors and exteriors are available on the Auxiliary Housing website under the heading “First Year Graduate Student Program.” Properties available to first-year graduate students are located at 244 Bowen St., 71-73 Charlesfield St., 165-7 Lloyd Ave., 20 Olive St., and 86 Waterman St.
Other Brown-Owned Housing The Auxiliary Housing Office is responsible for the leasing and management of University-owned off-campus housing available to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to faculty and staff. Brown owns approximately 150 apartments/houses that range in size from efficiency one-bedroom to four-bedroom apartments/houses. These living units surround the campus and occupy an area that extends to Lloyd Avenue on the north, Brown Street to the west, Power Street to the south, and Hope Street to the east. Between 50 and 80 apartments/houses become available each year. The “average” rental rate per month per person for a Brown-owned off-campus apartment is between $750 and $1,000. The typical rental unit in a Brown-owned off-campus building includes utilities such as heat, hot water, gas, electricity, and water/sewer fees. Telephone service, cable television service, Internet access, and the wiring for these services are available through private providers. The University Auxiliary Housing Tips on Providence Office has parking spaces available to its tenants for a monthly fee in addition to rent. Neighborhoods Walking distance: Lo ok On-Campus Housing for places that are listed as Wayland Square, Wickenden Street, East Miller Hall Side, Fox Point, and some Br own’s Office of Residential Life reserves single residence hall rooms in Miller Hall for housing in the Hope Street area. graduate students on campus. The rooms in Miller Hall are open to graduate, medical and RUE On a bus line: Fe deral (Resumed Undergraduate Education) students. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Hill, The Armory District, The building is open year round, which is often helpful to graduate students, especially during the Blackstone Boulevard, winter and summer breaks. Two contract options are available. Next year’s term options and rates Oak Hill, Rochambeau, for rooms in Miller are: West Side, Downtown. • Summer (contract period June 21-August 7, 2010): $1,714 Farther afield: Pa wtucket, • Academic Year (contract period: August 30, 2010 to May 24, 2011): $6,522 Cranston, Elmwood, • Pawtuxet Village, East Partial Summer Contract: Students who do not need to stay for the entire summer contract period Providence, Johnston, have the option of paying $30/day or $175/week. The move in date for the start of a partial and Seekonk are all contract must be on a weekday between the hours of 8 A.M. and 4 P.M. for key pickup. within a 10-minute drive. Guide to Brown LIVING AT BROWN 8 • Partial Summer Contract: Students who do not need to stay for the entire summer contract period have the option of paying $30/day or $175/week. The move-in date for the start of a partial contract must be on a weekday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for key pickup. New applications for graduate housing will begin their contracts in August 2010, unless their academic program begins prior to this time and they desire housing for the summer period. This must be indicated at the time of application. Students enrolled as of fall must remain in housing for the entire academic year. Students will not need to vacate their rooms during the winter break period from late December to mid-January. Students who contract ends at mid-year in December due to graduation, withdrawal, or leave of absence will need to vacate their rooms prior to the winter break. A student may forfeit the room charge if he/she moves from Miller Hall before the end of the contract for a reason other than one of those listed above. Office of Residential Life Detailed room descriptions, as well as applications for Miller Hall housing are available on the Brown University Box 1864 Residential Life website. Providence, RI 02912 (401) 863-3500 Graduate Advising Fellows [email protected] Gr aduate Advising Fellows (GAFs) are graduate students who wish to be involved with community http://reslife.brown.edu/ building initiatives within the residence halls. GAFs live on campus and assist with the quality of life within Brown’s residence halls. A GAFs responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assistance with the management and administration of the residential community, crisis-management response and serving in an on-call rotation, guidance and mentoring of students in academic and co-curricular pursuits, assisting in the resolution of student conflicts, etc. The GAF position is a 10 month (August 1-May 31) contract. Compensation includes a stipend of approximately $12,500, housing in an on-campus apartment, meal plan, and health insurance, but does not include tuition. More information on being a GAF, as well as an application for the position, can be found on the Residential Life website. http://reslife.brown.edu/graduate_students/gaf.html
Parking and Transportation Students can apply to reserve a spot in a Brown parking lot through the Brown Transportation Office, or they can rent spaces from local landlords. Both daytime and overnight parking are available, and annual rates range from $375 to $1,000. Parking on and near campus is tight; after 9 a.m. it can be difficult to find a spot that is closer than a five-minute walk away. Most of the convenient blocks are metered. Overtime meter tickets are $25 and higher. A Providence city ordinance prohibits parking on the street between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Many apartments and houses also include parking spaces, but not always. If parking is not available with a rental, it is often possible to rent space nearby. Typical rents for a parking space are between $50–$100 per month. Overnight parking permits may also be purchased from Brown. Because of the scarcity of parking spaces around Brown, graduate students (along with University faculty and staff) are encouraged to find alternate means of commuting to and from campus. The Office of Transportation’s website offers a number of alternatives. Brown Transportation Office Office of Transportation Services Brown University Box 65 Providence, RI 02912 The Office of Transportation provides other services, including evening shuttle and onCall ride programs for the safety of all students, weekday campus transport for students with disabilities, (401) 863-3157 and a weekday downtown express shuttle. [email protected] Brown Campus Shuttle: Conti nuous evening van service on a fixed route around the Brown campus www.brown.edu/transportation RISD Rides: Co ntinuous evening van service on a fixed route around the nearby RISD campus onCall: Evening transport service for Brown students who live off campus DSS onCall: Daytim e weekday dispatched transportation for students with disabilities who need assistance moving around campus BrownMed/Downcity Express: Scheduled weekday shuttle service between Brown, affiliated hospitals, and the Jewelry District Zipcar: A car-sharing service students can join to get access to hourly or daily rental of cars (on campus and select cities across the U.S.).
Guide to Brown LIVING AT BROWN 9 Academics and Research
Course Registration Incoming students can register for courses online the day prior to the start of classes. Students should consult with their advisors or Directors of Graduate Study regarding degree requirements prior to registering for courses. The University’s Course Announcement Bulletin and Banner online schedule contain descriptions of all courses offered at the University. Listings provide detailed descriptions of individual courses, instructors’ names, exam group information, and meeting times. Contact your program for a paper copy of the Course Announcement Bulletin, or consult the Banner schedule https://selfservice.brown.edu/schedule, for the most current information regarding course offerings. Students can find the building and room assignments via Banner.
Research at Brown Research at Brown reflects the innovative and interdisciplinary character of the University. Cutting- edge work happens here, from interdisciplinary study of the human brain to discoveries in planetary science. Brown faculty are that rare academic combination – talented teachers and dedicated researchers. From scientific breakthroughs to major archaeological digs, our faculty are making front-page news, redefining fields, and turning Brown research into solutions for real-world problems. The Office of the Vice President for Research advances the research enterprise at Brown by: • Fostering an environment conducive to research and the creation of knowledge; • Developing and supporting major, cutting-edge research programs; • Providing effective infrastructure for research and development, administration of research projects, and dissemination of research results; and, • Collaborating with hospitals, industry, government laboratories, and universities. Brown graduate and undergraduate students have a powerful opportunity to become part of this vibrant and exciting research enterprise. Students who perform research at Brown find an open and encouraging environment that welcomes creative and entrepreneurial thinking. The scale of the institution fosters thoughtful relationships among collaborators, mentors, and students. Concepts developed in the course of research can lead to more opportunity, at Brown and beyond.
Centers and Institutes Brown is home to many centers and institutes devoted to specific fields of research, or to initiatives that bring different areas of inquiry together. A few of these centers are highlighted below. Visit the Brown or Graduate School websites for links and more information.
Alfred Taubman Center for Public Policy and American Institutions Th e Taubman Center is devoted to interdisciplinary research, teaching, and service on a wide range of policy issues such as public opinion, e-government, freedom of information, children, the future of higher education, the community of Providence, and welfare.
Center for Advanced Materials Research Th e Center for Advanced Materials Research coordinates and facilitates research and education in materials sciences across the campus, and fosters interinstitutional scholarship and study of modern materials by advanced experimental and theoretical tools.
Guide to Brown ACADEMICS AND RESEARCH 10 Artemis and Martha Sharp Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World Est ablished in 2004, the Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World brings together faculty whose work employs archaeology as a fundamental tool of inquiry and may include researchers from Classics, Egyptology and Ancient Western Asia, History of Art and Architecture, Anthropology, Religious Studies, and other fields.
Center for Computation and Visualization Th e long-term research goal of the Center for Computation and Visualization is to develop human-centered, powerful, and interactive 3-D graphics tools for modeling, scientific visualization, tele collaboration, and interactive illustrations.
Cogut Humanities Center The Cogut Humanities Center, supports collaborative research among scholars in the humanities. Through working groups, symposia, seminars, lectures, and screenings, the center focuses on interdisciplinary and comparative work across cultural and linguistic boundaries.
Environmental Change Initiative The Environmental Change Initiative supports research addressing emerging environmental science and policy questions and trains new generations of students in research in environmental change.
Center For Fluid Mechanics, Turbulence, and Computation The Center for Fluid Mechanics, Turbulence, and Computation promotes research in fluid mechanics, the study of turbulent flows and transition phenomena, the use of scientific computation in fluid mechanics research, and topics of related scientific interest.
International Health Institute International Health Institute was founded in 1988 to promote, develop, and coordinate the international health activities of Brown University, its faculty, and its students by applying an interdisciplinary approach to the development of research, education, and training.
John Nicholas Brown Center for the Study of Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage Th e John Nicholas Brown Center is dedicated to advancing scholarship and education in American Civilization.
Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies The Center for Latin American Studies at Brown University offers a flexible, multidisciplinary undergraduate concentration that promotes an understanding of the culture, history, and contemporary problems of Latin America.
Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research on Women Est ablished in 1981, the Pembroke Center looks at the complex ways differences of gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, and religion are produced and reproduced culturally and socially.
Population Studies and Training Center Th e Population Studies and Training Center was formally established in 1965 to promote and enhance research and training in population studies, to develop cooperative arrangements between departments, and to co ordinate activities with related cross-disciplinary programs.
Guide to Brown ACADEMICS AND RESEARCH 11 Libraries Brown students have a wealth of information at their disposal. These resources come in all shapes and forms – from traditional books and journals, to original manuscripts and photographs, to full-text databases and digital images. The physical collections at the Brown University Library are housed in six on-campus buildings and at the nearby Library Collections Annex. In addition, the collections of the John Carter Brown Library, an independent research institution located on the Brown campus but not affiliated with the University Library, are available to students. General computer clusters are located in the Rockefeller and Sciences libraries; a cluster for the exclusive use of graduate students is located on the second floor of the Rockefeller Library. All the libraries accommodate wireless technology and have direct network connections for laptops. Study carrels are available at the Rockefeller, Sciences, and Orwig libraries; please inquire at the Rockefeller circulation desk. The starting point for finding material in the Library’s collections is the Library’s website (http://library.brown.edu). The website offers an array of search tools and links to provide 24/7 access to Brown’s ejournals, ebooks, and research databases. If connecting from off-campus, be sure to see off-campus login options at http://library.brown.edu/offcampus. Josiah, the Library’s online catalog, provides the call number and stack location for the books and other tangible materials in the collections and also links directly to ejournals, ebooks, and other electronic resources available from the Library. Brown also has a growing number of digital collections for teaching and scholarship; these are based on the Library’s unique special collections as well as faculty projects. See a list of projects at the Center for Digital Technology’s website: http://library.brown.edu/cds/projects. In addition to the extensive resources available directly from the Brown University Library, students can place direct online requests for books from the collections of Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale, as well as indirectly to several thousand research libraries worldwide. Use easyBorrow http://library.brown.edu/borrowing/easyBorrow.php to request books that Brown does not have or that are already checked out from the Library’s collection. Brown graduate students also can visit and borrow from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) library (http://library.brown.edu/catalogs/chil) and other RI academic libraries (http://library.uri.edu). And if you need an article from a journal that Brown does not subscribe to, use the Illiad system (https://illiad.brown.edu/illiad/logon.html) to request a copy through interlibrary loan. Library staff can assist you both as a student and as a teaching assistant. Information about the Library’s Course Reserves via Online Course Reserves Access (OCRA) system, to place on reserve text, audio, and video materials for classes, is available at http://dl.lib.brown.edu/reserves. Staff in all of the libraries can assist with a wide range of library services. Subject librarians are available for individualized research consultations to help you take full advantage of the rich collections available, to assist in formulating the most effective strategy for identifying and locating materials, and to help with other library and information needs. Find your subject librarian at http://library.brown.edu/about/specialists.php.
John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library Th e John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, otherwise known as “the Rock,” is the primary teaching and research library for the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Reference services, interlibrary loans, and reserve items are available on the entrance level (Level 1). The graduate student computer cluster on Level 2 is a refuge of peace and quiet in the midst of what can be a very busy place. Please see http://library.brown.edu/about/rock/ for hours and more information about the Rock.
Guide to Brown ACADEMICS AND RESEARCH 12 The Sciences Library The tallest building on campus at 14 stories, the Sciences Library (SciLi) supports research in medicine, psychology, neural science, environmental science, biology, chemistry, geology, physics, engineering, computer science, and mathematics. The Friedman Study Center, located on Level A of the SciLi, includes computer clusters, library services, and popular DVDs for overnight check-out. For information on hours of operation please visit the website at http://library.brown.edu/about/friedman.php.
John Hay Library Bui lt in 1910, the John Hay Library houses the Library’s special collections. Material in the Hay is not available for circulation, but the stately reading room is open to the entire Brown community for study and research during service hours. The Hay’s collections total more than a half-million items and include several hundred named collections of books, manuscripts, and prints. The Library owns a number of world renowned collections including those in American literature and popular culture, political and diplomatic history, the history of science, book arts and graphics. For a complete list of special collections, see http://library.brown.edu/collatoz. For hours and more information about the Hay Library, please see http://library.brown.edu/about/hay.
Orwig Music Library The Virginia Baldwin Orwig Music Library houses the general music collection on campus: books, scores, periodicals, compact discs, DVDs, and microforms. DVDs and CDs are circulated to faculty and graduate students only. Graduate students can borrow these materials for a period of one week. Orwig includes ample study space convenient to East campus residents. For hours and more information about the Orwig Library, please see http://library.brown.edu/about/orwig.
Art Slide Library Located on the fourth floor of the List Art building, the Art Slide Library provides access to digital and slide images covering the areas of art, architecture, and archaeology. Digital image collections include the ARTstor and Luna Insight databases, and staff can offer advice on finding images from other sources as well. For more information about the Art Slide Library, please see http://library.brown.edu/about/asl.
The Annmary Brown Memorial Th is unique building is both a museum and a mausoleum, and its distinguishing architectural features are the imposing bronze doors featuring allegorical representations of Art and Learning. The memorial exhibits American and European paintings from the 17th through the 20th centuries, a collection of British swords, and personal effects of its founder, General Rush C. Hawkins, and those of the Brown family. For more information about the Annmary Brown Memorial, please see http://library.brown.edu/about/amb.
Library Collections Annex This high-density storage facility with a capacity of 1.5 million volumes is located approximately 4 miles from campus. Material shelved at the Annex can be requested using Josiah (the Library’s online catalog) for retrieval and use on campus. Journal articles from titles shelved at the Annex can be scanned and delivered electronically to your desktop. For more information about the Library Collections Annex, please see http://library.brown.edu/about/annex/index.php.
John Carter Brown Library An independently administered and funded center for the advanced research in history and the humanities, the John Carter Brown Library (JCB) houses an internationally renowned collection of primary historical sources pertaining to the Americas, both North and South, before 1825. For more information about the JCB, please see www.brown.edu/Facilities/John_Carter_Brown_Library.
Guide to Brown ACADEMICS AND RESEARCH 13 Professional Development
Professional development is an integral part of graduate education. In coordination with offices and centers across campus, the Graduate School helps graduate students develop the skills they need to succeed in both the academic and non-academic worlds. The University provides abundant opportunities for students to develop as teachers, scholars, speakers, and researchers.
Career Development Center Th e Career Development Center is a valuable resource for graduate students in all departments and at all stages of their course of study. The center offers individual counseling services and Career Development Center extensive programming for those seeking career information and job search assistance. Services are geared to both masters and doctoral students. Brown University Box 1907 167 Angell St. Entering graduate students may be interested in the center’s professional development programs Providence, RI 02912 such as Positioning Yourself for Success and Jobs and Visas for International Students. For those (401) 863-3326 ready to seek a job, program offerings include: The Academic Job Search; Finding a Post-Doc; [email protected] The Job Search for Masters Students; and Strategies for the Non-Academic Job Search. The Career Development Center also offers regular skill-building workshops, including interview techniques, www.careerdevelopment. CV and cover letter writing, resume writing, and networking. brown.edu Students can take advantage of the Career Development Center offerings by speaking to a professional career counselor about their needs. Be assured that counselors are aware that graduate students’ needs are different from those of undergraduates and are sensitive to their situations. All sessions are confidential. The Career Library includes guides to surviving graduate school, and academic and non-academic job search books. The graduate student section of the Career Development Center website links to many resources for career exploration, skill development and specific interest areas.
Teaching Brown considers teaching an integral part of doctoral education. Whether graduate students pursue careers inside or outside of higher education, they still need to develop the skills necessary to communicate their knowledge, ideas and research to others. The University offers a wealth The Sheridan Center of support and assistance to graduate students as they develop their classroom and for Teaching and Learning communication skills. 96 Waterman Street Brown University Box 1912 The Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning Providence, RI 02912 As teaching assistants, presenters of research at conferences, future professors, community leaders (401) 863-1219 or project leaders, graduate students need to develop the skills to communicate to diverse [email protected] audiences. The Sheridan Center was established in 1987 with the goal of supporting the ongoing www.brown.edu/sheridan_center/ professional development of graduate students and faculty at Brown through a wide variety of programs, consultation services, and publications and resources. The Center has developed a comprehensive website with up-to-date information, teaching tips, and publications available 24/7 (www.brown.edu/Administration/Sheridan_Center).
Guide to Brown PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 14 The Sheridan Center is located in Lippitt House at 96 Waterman Street and has a resource library of books, journals, and videotapes about teaching and communication. Among the Sheridan Center’s programs, services, and publications for graduate students are: • Orientation for new teaching assistants held each September • Teaching Certificate programs • Consultations on classroom and laboratory teaching • Consultations for academic conferences and interview presentations • Consultations for the academic job market • Consultations for education/outreach components of grant or fellowship applications • Discipline-specific services through the departmental graduate student and faculty liaison network • Teaching handbooks, teaching tips, and The Teaching Exchange newsletter
The Brown/Wheaton Faculty Fellows Program A collaborative program involving the Brown Graduate School, the Sheridan Center, and Wheaton College offers semester and one-year teaching fellowships for qualified students. During their appointments at Wheaton, graduate students are responsible for all aspects of teaching a course of their own proposing. They work with a faculty mentor at Wheaton and are remunerated at the same stipend level as Brown teaching assistants. Wheaton is a selective, coeducational liberal arts college of 120 full-time faculty and 1,500 students. Located in Norton, Massachusetts, Wheaton has a national reputation for excellence in teaching. The campus, just eighteen miles from Brown, provides a collegial and congenial atmosphere in which Brown graduate students can gain mentored teaching experience in a liberal Office of arts college setting. Continuing Education For more information on the Brown/Wheaton program, visit the Graduate School’s website. Brown University Box T Providence, RI 02912 Continuing Education and Brown Teaching Opportunities (401) 863-7900 (401) 863-3916 Br own’s Office of Continuing Education runs a variety of on-campus credit-bearing and non-credit academic programs during the fall, spring, and summer terms. Continuing Education also offers [email protected] non -credit pre-college courses throughout the year. Every year Continuing Education recruits www.brown.edu/scs graduate students and faculty to teach these programs. These teaching appointments provide graduate students with an opportunity to design and implement their own courses, an invaluable experience for future professors. They are also paid appointments and can be an effective way for students to supplement their summer support from the Graduate School. A wide range of disciplines is represented in their curriculum, which are structured both to allow students to gain course credit in the summer and to expose pre-college and adult audiences to the rich intellectual resources of the University. Course proposals may be submitted online www.brown.edu/ce.
Guide to Brown PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 15 Financing Graduate School
The Brown University Graduate School makes every effort to provide its students with adequate financial support. Incoming doctoral students are guaranteed five years of financial support, which includes a stipend, tuition remission, and a health-insurance subsidy. Financial aid for master’s students is not centrally managed and varies among programs. If you are interested in a master’s program and have questions about financial aid, please contact the program’s director of graduate study. Students’ official letters of admission provide details of their funding packages (i.e., the number of years and levels of support). All promises of student support are subject to students’ making satisfactory academic progress as determined by their programs of study. All funding decisions beyond Office of Financial Aid the first year are made at the departmental level and depend on students’ academic progress. Brown University Box 1827 All students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens and wish to receive financial support Providence, RI 02912 from the Graduate School are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (401) 863-2721 (FAFSA). Financial information about individual students is treated confidentially. (401) 863-7575, fax Students with questions or concerns regarding their funding should address them to their [email protected] department’s director of graduate studies. www.financialaid.brown.edu Expenses for 2010–2011 Brown University requires payment of tuition and fees by August 1 for first-semester obligations and by January 1 for second-semester obligations. Students who fail to make payment in full by these deadlines will be assessed a late-payment charge. Outstanding balances greater than $1,000 will prevent students from pre-registering for the subsequent semester. Students will receive notification of such balances via the monthly student account statement.
Tuition (full-time, annual) $39,928 (part-time – per course) $4,991
Health Services Fee $650 Health Insurance (student only) $2,348 Student Activity Fee $40
Billing and Payment Information The University Bursar is responsible for handling all student-billing questions. For information, deadlines, or forms related to tuition, billing, payment plans, and refund policies, refer to the Brown University Student Billing Guide, available on the Bursar's website: www.brown.edu/Administration/Financial_Services/Bursar/forms_and_publications.html.
Financial Aid Awards Approved financial aid awards, except for stipends, reduce the amount of the required payment of tuition and fees. Therefore, students with approved financial aid awards, except for stipends, will not be assessed late charges provided their balance due after these awards is remitted on time. No scholarships or subsidized loans can be used to pay late payment charges.
Loans Approved federal loans borrowed through Brown University and/or private educational loans borrowed by the student that have been certified will appear as authorized or memo credits on the tuition bill. (The topic of student loans is covered in greater detail below.)
Billing Credits Actual credits, authorized financial aid, and memo items on the student account reduce the balance due. Any Brown funding administered by the Graduate School appear as actual credits on the student account statement as these items represent paid items.
Guide to Brown FINANCING GRADUATE SCHOOL 16 Any authorized financial aid received from a source other than the Graduate School but that has been verified to be forthcoming is posted as an authorized credit in advance of payment. This form of credit disburses to the students account when classes begin. Authorized credits include Federal Direct Stafford, PLUS, and Perkins loans. Until the student has completed all loan requirements, such as entrance counseling and completion of promissory notes, the authorized credit will not be disbursed into the student’s account. Since the time to obtain a loan approval varies with the type of loan, students are encouraged to apply for loans well in advance of student billing due dates. Loan applications submitted after the semester payment due date will not result in the waiver of late payment charges. Memo items do not disburse to a student’s account until the student takes action to expedite payment, or resolve the issue delaying payment. Approved private student loans and installment payment plan commitments will appear as memo credits on the student’s account. Private loans will disburse to the Bursar’s Office account when the funds are received by the Bursar’s office, and loan checks are signed (if necessary). Brown University Box 1839 Also appearing as a memo item are unsigned loans and awards requiring additional student action. Providence, RI 02912 Outside scholarships known to the office of Financial Aid can be listed as a memo credit on the (401) 863-2484 student account, in advance of payment. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid to (401) 863-7518, fax report the resource so it can be properly posted as a memo credit on the bill. [email protected] www.brown.edu/Administration/ Student Loans Financial_Services/Bursar To supplement the other forms of support they receive from Brown, graduate students may also be eligible for federal student loans. Student loans for graduate and undergraduate students are initiated through the Office of Financial Aid. To be considered for any student loans, domestic students are required to submit a FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov), a Brown Graduate Supplemental Financial Aid Application available at www.financialaid.brown.edu, and the student’s most recent federal income tax return before the loan application can be processed. The Federal Direct Stafford Loan program provides loans in amounts up to $20,500 per year to eligible applicants. International students are not eligible for these loans. Brown University also has a limited number of federal Perkins loans available. These are awarded based strictly on financial need and are available only to selected master’s candidates who receive no University funding. The maximum borrowing eligibility is $8,000. A FAFSA must be on file for the student to be considered for these funds. Details about all available loans, other financing options, and external funding sources are available from the Graduate Student link at www.financialaid.brown.edu.
The Student Account Statement The student account statement for semester I is produced and mailed in late June, and for semester II is produced and mailed in mid-November. The student account statement lists the student account activity for the current semester and itemizes all charges and/or credits submitted by University departments. Subsequent monthly statements identify the previous balance outstanding and itemize charges and/or credits applied during the statement period. Anticipated funding is represented by “authorized” or “memo” credits. These items, such as loans, scholarships, or Brown funding, represent expected student aid not yet received but is allowed to reduce the student account balance due.
Employment Eligibility Verification Form All students entering the Graduate School with any form of financial support are required to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9). This form must be completed in person at the Graduate School admission office located on the ground floor at 47 George Street. Stipend payments will not be disbursed until an I-9 form has been completed, so it is imperative students comply as soon as they arrive on campus. Please note: The I-9 cannot be completed without a valid social security number or a receipt proving that a social security number has been applied for. International students are strongly encouraged to bring their passports and the I-94 and I-20 forms issued by the University. For a copy of the form, instructions, and lists of acceptable documents, see the Graduate School’s website: www.gradschool.brown.edu/go/studentpayroll.
Guide to Brown FINANCING GRADUATE SCHOOL 17 International Students
Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) is a resource for admitted international students with questions – even before they arrive on campus. On behalf of Brown University, OISSS issues applicable immigration documents to international students and scholars and guides them through processes such as employment, taxation, Social Security card and driver’s license applications, all of which require dealing with various governmental agencies. In addition, OISSS offers assistance with the navigation of the geography and culture of the University and the exploration of the many places and ways of life that make the United States unique. The Office Office of maintains close relationships with the Graduate School, the Career Development Center and the International Students Office of Student Life. Externally, OISSS is regularly in touch with government officials to keep and Scholar Services abreast of policy and regulatory changes affecting its international clientele and to address J. Walter Wilson, Suite 510 specific issues. 69 Brown Street Brown University Box 1906 OISSS provides a special orientation for incoming international graduate students and sponsors Providence, RI 02912 informational programs throughout the year. The office works closely with the International (401) 863-2427 House of Rhode Island, whose program activities includes a weekly lunch for international students, (401) 863-7543, fax scholars, and their families and regular social activities throughout the year. [email protected] Students are encouraged to set up an appointment by calling 863-2427 or to stop by the OISSS [email protected] office during the open advising hours for brief consultations (Monday through Thursday from 1:30 p.m to 3:30 p.m.). For further information and upcoming events please visit the OISSS website. www.brown.edu/oisss
English for International Teaching Assistants The English for International Teaching Assistants (ITA) program evaluates the English language proficiency of non-native English speaking graduate students who have been awarded teaching assistantships. If a student’s English language skills do not meet the minimum standards English for International of certification, provisional approval of the appointment may be made on the condition that the Teaching Assistants student enroll in an English-language training course during the first semester of the appointment Brown University Box 1982 and be assigned to other duties that will prepare them for teaching. Providence, RI 02912 During the academic year, the ITA program offers non-credit ESL courses (English for Internationals) (401) 863-3043 that are designed to improve the spoken English language skills of international graduate students. (401) 863-2551, fax The ITA program is a part of the Center for Language Studies (CLS). CLS also oversees the www.brown.edu/Departments/CLS Language Partners Program, a conversation exchange program in which students whose first language is not English are paired with native English speakers so that both can develop their second language skills.
NOTE: Students who have not been certified at the appropriate level for the classroom or laboratory will not be supported as teaching assistants during the first year. International House of Rhode Island, Inc. International House of Rhode Island, Inc. 8 Stimson Avenue Located just a few blocks from the Brown campus, International House of Rhode Island, Inc. is Providence, RI 02906 an independent, non-profit, community-based organization run largely by American volunteers, (401) 421-7181 whose purpose is to encourage friendship and understanding between citizens of Rhode Island and (401) 751-9733, fax international visitors. International House offers English language classes and tutoring, foreign [email protected] language classes, orientation to activities, and social events. The International Friendship Program pairs international visitors with an individual or family host in Rhode Island, who can help get http://members.cox.net/ internationalhouse people settled, learn about American customs and culture, and get a good start in Rhode Island. For an application and information about this program and others, please contact the International House of Rhode Island, Inc. by phone or email.
Guide to Brown INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 18 Campus Offices and Services
Computing and Information Services
Brown Account Activation As a graduate student, you will have access to electronic services that require a Brown account. Account activation sets your authentication password, establishes your official Brown email address, and allows you to choose where you would like your official Brown email delivered. You will need your Banner ID number to set up your account. Your unique Banner ID is printed on your official admission letter, which was mailed to you. For more information or to get started in setting up your account, go to: http://activate.brown.edu/files/activate. After you activate your account, please be sure to print for your records the page with your Brown username, email address, and the Google username and temporary passkey.
Instructional Technology Group The mission of the Instructional Technology Group (ITG) is to support teaching and learning at Brown through researching and promoting new technologies and providing consultation on effective pedagogical practices. The group offers course management support, workshops, showcases, and consultation to faculty and graduate students interested in exploring how technology might enhance their teaching and learning practices. Additionally, ITG collaborates with the Student Technology Assistant Program to design and develop digital projects with faculty and graduate students to meet their instructional goals.
Course Management The campus course management system, MyCourses, allows faculty to extend the classroom experience online. MyCourses enables faculty to quickly and easily create course web sites where they can post syllabi, electronic readings, online assignments and assessments, and links to course-related resources, multimedia and online-discussion and chat groups giving students 24/7 access to course resources.
Academic Multimedia Program Th e Academic Multimedia Program facilitates the integration of multimedia assignments into courses across multiple disciplines and departments at Brown Computing Policy University. AMP will provide resources, support, training, and technology Brown University requires that all community to faculty and students who are participating in the program. members behave responsibly and legally in their use of the University’s computing Multimedia Lab resources. To activate an account, a student must agree to comply with the Acceptable Th e Brown University Multimedia lab offers students access to the best Use Policy and the Copyright Infringement equipment available for experimenting with the production of audio, video, Policy. To use a computer on the network and still images, and for authoring hypertext and multimedia projects. in the residence halls, a student must agree Our hardware and software are consistently evaluated in the face of industry to comply with the Network Connection Pol- trends, academic needs, and artistic exploration. To find out more icy. These policies, and other policies that information, please visit the following website: www.brown.edu/mml. govern specific services, can be found on the web at www.brown.edu/cis/policy. Students Language Resource Center who do not comply will be held personally re- The Language Resource Center (LRC) actively supports and promotes sponsible for violations, including those asso- language, literature and culture instruction at all levels at Brown University. ciated with illegal downloads of copyrighted The LRC is committed to providing technical assistance, digital media and materials. tools, informational outreach, training and curricular support to Brown faculty, students and staff engaged in the learning and teaching of languages, literatures, and cultures. www.brown.edu/Departments/LRC.
Guide to Brown CAMPUS OFFICES AND SERVICES 19 Computer Education Computer Education provides free computer training to all students, staff, and faculty. Training and support are available on a variety of software packages including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Dreamweaver, and Photoshop. Graduate students are welcome at both the student training sessions offered through the Professional and Academic Skills for Students (PASS) program (see below) and at faculty sessions as appropriate. One-on-one training and consultation is also available upon request.
Professional and Academic Skills for Students To gether with the library and the Writing Center, CIS offers a program called Professional and Academic Skills for Students (PASS) to both graduate students and undergrads. Workshops on research, writing, and computer skills are offered throughout the semester. Computer workshop topics include photo manipulation, web publishing, video editing, desktop databases, Excel, and PowerPoint. Information about PASS and a class schedule can be found on the PASS website or you can email [email protected].
Help Desk Th e CIS Help Desk staff provides the Brown Community assistance with information technology. Their customer friendly approach ensures a positive experience and a speedy resolution resulting in the efficient use of technology tools for our academic setting. There are several methods for obtaining technical guidance from CIS which can be found at www.brown.edu/cis/support/help_desk.
Software CIS provides a wide variety of software packages for use by the Brown community. Details regarding restrictions and support levels are available for each product. Brown’s collection of software available runs the gamut from anti-virus to computational. The complete listing of available software can be found at http://software.brown.edu/dist/index.html.
Computing Clusters and Kiosks Several computing clusters are available around campus. Those located in the CIT and SciLi are open 24 hours a day (except for Friday and Saturday); the remaining clusters are open 12 to 16 hours a day. CIS provides computers running both Windows and Macintosh platforms. There is a dedicated computing cluster restricted to graduate students located on the second floor of the Rockefeller Library. Students must use their Brown Cards to gain access to this cluster. It contains two Macintosh and Ten Windows computers in addition to a high-speed laser printer. There are also six Internet kiosks in convenient locations on campus so students can quickly check email or a particular website.
Printing Printing is provided in the CIT and library computing clusters; color printing is available in the main computing clusters. All students can send documents from their residence hall rooms, or from a Brown secure wireless connection to the print queues and release them for printing in the clusters. Starting in September when students log in to any of the printer release stations for the first time, they will be allocated their annual printing quota. Once the value of the quota has been used, students can use the vending stripe on their Brown IDs to pay for printing.
Network Access Campus buildings, including all residence halls, are connected to a private campus network and to the Internet. Wireless networking is available at various locations across campus, including the CIT and a number of academic buildings. A complete listing of wireless locations can be found from the main CIS site: www.brown.edu/cis. For graduate students living off campus, the Brown Computer Store offers discounted high-speed Internet access through Cox Cable.
Guide to Brown CAMPUS OFFICES AND SERVICES 20 The Brown Card
All students, faculty, and staff are required to obtain a Brown Card. The Brown Card is the official Brown University identification card and your passport to everyday student life at Brown. The Brown Card is used mainly for identification, to open secure doors in buildings on campus, for checking out materials from the Brown libraries, and for RIPTA bus access. The Brown Card can also serve as a campus debit account for making purchases on campus and as a charge card for a Brown Bookstore Charge Account. If students submit the required information ahead of time, they may pick up their Brown ID card at the Brown Card Office when they arrive on campus. Students will be required to show photo Brown Card Office identification (e.g., driver’s license or passport) when they pick up their card. Please sign the ID J. Walter Wilson, 69 Brown card as soon as you receive it, and keep it secure. Street While on campus, carry the Brown Card at all times. The card will be valid as long as a student Brown University Box 1884 remains enrolled at Brown. Do not attach anything to the Brown Card, such as stickers or key chains. Providence, RI 02912 Attachment of foreign objects to the physical card or punching holes in it will cause damage (401) 863-2273 to campus card readers. (401) 863-1233, fax If a Brown Card is lost, stolen, or damaged, it should immediately be reported to the Brown Card [email protected] Office during regular business hours or to the Department of Public Safety during non-business www.brown.edu/Administration/ hours. Stolen, malfunctioning, or accidentally damaged Brown Cards are replaced free of charge. Financial_Services/Browncard/ Lost cards will be replaced at a cost of $10 for the first replacement, with subsequent increases of $10 each time a card is replaced, to a maximum of $50.
The Declining Balance Account The Brown Card Declining Balance Account is an optional, University-maintained debit account designed to provide a convenient and safe way to make purchases and access services on campus by eliminating the need to carry cash, coins, checks, or credit cards. To use the Brown Card as a debit card, you must open a Brown Card Declining Balance Account. This can be done in person at the Cashier’s Office at 164 Angell Street, 2nd floor. The Declining Balance Account can be opened with a $25 minimum, $7,500 maximum deposit. Further deposits may be added at any time, either through the mail or by appearing in person at the Cashier’s Office at 164 Angell Street, 2nd Floor. The Declining Balance Account functions much like any other bank debit account, with two major differences: funds deposited into this account may be used only at on-campus sites, and cash withdrawals are prohibited. Present the Brown Card at any of the following locations to purchase goods or services, and the amount will be automatically debited from your Declining Balance Account: All Dining Services dining centers and snack locations on campus for food, beverages, and snacks; at the Hour Glass Café, a student-run food and beverage location; at the University Bookstore, Campus Shop, and Computer Store for the purchase of supplies, computer repairs, books, campus clothing, etc.; at the Registrar’s Office for the purchase of transcripts. The Brown Card Office will issue monthly statements of usage of the Declining Balance Account. Any balance remaining in the account at the end of a semester will automatically be rolled over to the next semester. Any balance remaining in the account will be refunded in full following graduation, separation, or withdrawal from the University. Card Value Center machines or CVC’s, are similar to bank ATMs and are conveniently located around campus. CVC’s may be used to check the cash balance of the Declining Balance Account, to transfer funds to the vending stripe account, or to deposit cash directly to the vending stripe account. Unlike ATMs, however, CVC’s do not offer cash withdrawals.
Guide to Brown CAMPUS OFFICES AND SERVICES 21 The Vending Stripe Program The Brown Card Vending Stripe Program eliminates the need for individuals to carry small amounts of cash or coins to use in on-campus vending machines, thereby increasing safety and convenience. A maximum of $50 may be maintained on the vending stripe. Students who have a Declining Balance Account may use a Card Value Center (CVC) to transfer funds to the Vending Stripe. Students who do not have a Declining Balance Account, but wish to use their Brown Card in vending machines must deposit funds directly into a CVC machine. The vending stripe option may be used for snack and beverage vending, at self-service laundry machines, at self-service printers and copiers throughout campus.
University Mail Services All University incoming U.S. mail is accepted by University Mail Services at the J. Walter Wilson building, 69 Brown Street, where mail is distributed via academic department mailboxes. Graduate students are assigned mailboxes in their home departments for final distribution of incoming mail. Graduate students receiving U.S. mail that requires a signature to complete delivery will receive an email from Mail Services with collection instruction. The common carriers FedEx, United Parcel Service – UPS, Airborne Express, and DHL make direct deliveries to departments. To receive University Mail Services U.S. mail or common carrier items, follow the addressing formats below. Brown University Box 1822 U.S. MAIL COMMON CARRIER ITEMS (401) 863-2900 Your Name Your Name Brown University Brown University [email protected] Department Name & Box Number Department Name www.brown.edu/Administration/ Providence, RI 02912 Department Street Address Finance_and_Admin/Mail Providence RI, 02912 More detailed service information is available at Mail Services’ website: www.brown.edu/Administration/Finance_and_Admin/Mail.
News and Events As a research and educational institution of international standing, Brown is often in the news and has a variety of mechanisms for promoting its campus events as well as the achievements of its faculty and students. The primary internal source of information and events at Brown is the Office of Media Relations, which also maintains an online calendar of campus events that are open to the public, and distributes email summaries of its materials to anyone who registers on its distribution list.
Other publications about Brown produced by or at the University include the Brown Alumni Magazine (BAM), a bimonthly magazine published by Brown that features content about University alumni as well as current news about campus. The BAM is available online at www.brownalumnimagazine.com. The Brown Daily Herald (BDH), the campus’s daily undergraduate newspaper, is available online at www.browndailyherald.com.
Brown University Bookstore Bookstore Brown University Box 1878 Providence, RI 02912 The Brown Bookstore at 244 Thayer Street, on the corner of Thayer and Angell streets, provides students with a convenient, one-stop shopping center for books, computers, software, supplies, (401) 863-3168 electronics, dorm furnishings, personal care products, posters, prints, greeting cards, collegiate (800) 695-2050 wear, class rings, gifts, and general merchandise. The store includes a wonderful café and offers (outside Rhode Island) wireless throughout the store. (401) 863-2233, fax Services include year-round used-book buyback and special book-order service. Textbooks, www.shopbrown.com school supplies, and course-related materials are exempt from sales tax for Brown students. Please present your Brown ID at time of purchase. Students may order course books online through the Brown Bookstore. Go to http://bookstore.brown.edu and click on “Book Reservation.” For information on the Textbook and Course Pack Return Policy visit http://bookstore.brown.edu and click on “Returns.”
Guide to Brown CAMPUS OFFICES AND SERVICES 22 Brown Dining Services Dining Services offers flexible eating plans, a variety of facilities, and really good food. More than just nourishment, Dining Services provides a place to relax and meet your friends. BDS specializes in meeting a variety of dining needs related to students’ tastes, preferences, and hectic lifestyles. There is a registered dietitian on staff who plans menus and advises students with special dietary needs.
Meal Plans Dinin g Services offers a choice of meal plans and a number of service locations. Plans provide you with wide-ranging daily meal options from more traditional “all-you-care-to-eat” service to à la carte dining at retail cafés and casual restaurants around campus. (For more information about the different dining venues, see “Where to Eat,” below.) You can also take your meal to go if you’re in a hurry. What’s more, each meal plan comes with FlexPlus Points that you can use as dollars to purchase food at all our eateries, coffee carts, and convenience stores. Dining Services also offers kosher/halal meal-plan options that enable observant Jewish and Muslim students to adhere to dietary laws while enjoying all the benefits of meal-plan participation. No matter your schedule, your dietary needs, or your meal preferences, BDS meal plans can usually accommodate you.
Where To Eat Dining Services operates two all-you-care-to-eat dining centers. Sharpe Refectory on Wriston Quad is the larger and more traditional of the two, while Verney-Woolley (the “V-Dub”) offers a more intimate and contemporary setting on the Pembroke Campus. Both dining centers serve at least two entrées at each meal. The Refectory also offers grilled chicken, burgers and sandwiches, Brown Dining Services pizza and pasta, and, at the “Roots and Shoots” line, vegetarian and vegan items often prepared Brown University Box 1936 with locally grown produce. The V-Dub features make-your-own waffles at breakfast, fresh stir-fries, Providence, RI 02912 and a self-serve deli with a panini grill. Both locations also offer hearty, homemade soups and (401) 863-3343 breads, as well as extensive salad bars. www.brown.edu/food A variety of retail snack bars offer additional dining options • Josiah’s in the Thayer Street Quad is best known for grilled sandwiches, charbroiled specialties, pasta, quesadillas, and Make-Your-Own-Chopped Salad. • The Gate in lower Alumnae Hall is the source for the best pizza on Providence’s East Side, as well as delicious soups, subs, and panini sandwiches. • The Ivy Room on the lower level of the Refectory features hot entrées, grilled sandwiches, and homemade soup and bread at lunch. It is exclusively vegetarian in the evening and features falafel sandwiches, a burrito bar, pizza, and smoothies. • The Blue Room in Faunce House serves great soup, focaccia sandwiches, New York-style bagels, fresh-baked cookies, and gourmet fair-trade coffee. • The coffee carts , located in the lobbies of the the Sciences Library, the Rockefeller Library, and the Barus and Holley building satisfy your need for a quick coffee, snack, or sandwich break. • Campus Market (on the lower level of Faunce House) and L’il Jo’s (insi de Josiah’s) are mini-convenience stores and additional campus resources for provisions.
Guide to Brown CAMPUS OFFICES AND SERVICES 23 Health Services Brown University Health Services is a wellness center as well as a place for students to come when they are ill. A staff of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses provide daytime medical care by appointment. Call ahead and get an appointment the same day or at a more convenient time. Medical advice is available 24/7 during the school year. Students should call first for advice on what to do if they are ill or have medical questions. All incoming students are required to complete an online Health History Form. Students must also download and return the Brown Immunization Record and the TB/Tuberculosis Screening Form. All forms can be accessed on the Health Services website: www.brown.edu/health. For continuity of care, we request that students forward their medical records for any chronic, serious medical condition. We also recommend that students have a thorough dental and eye examination before Brown University coming to campus. Health Services Health Services records are confidential and are not released (e.g., to parents or faculty) without 13 Brown Street written authorization from the student. There are exceptions when the release of specific information Brown University Box 1928 without a student’s expressed consent is necessary in emergencies or is required by law. Providence, RI 02912 (401) 863-4111 Immunizations for emergency care Brown University requires incoming students to provide written documentation of the following (401) 863-3953 immunizations, in accordance with Rhode Island state law: for scheduling appointments • – two doses; one on or after 12 months of age (401) 863-1330 MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine for medical advice and the second at least one month after the first dose (or two individual doses of each vaccine) • (401) 863-7882 Tetanus/Diphtheria (or Tdap) booster within the past 10 years for pharmacy • Hepatitis B vaccine – three doses (must have started series with at least one dose) [email protected] • Varicella (chickenpox) – history of disease or vaccine, two doses www.brown.edu/health • PPD (Tuberculosis) skin test within the past six months (required for some students as indicated on the Tuberculosis Screening Form) The Rhode Island Department of Health and Brown Health Services recommend that college students living in residence halls be vaccinated against meningococcal disease if they have not already been vaccinated. College students have a greater risk of meningococcal infection than the general population because of activities that are often a part of college life.
Medications A pharmacy is located at Health Services that carries many prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter products. The pharmacy can fill your prescription as long as it has a written or telephone prescription from your provider, or it can transfer refills from the pharmacy that originally filled the prescription. You may also be seen by a provider at Health Services to obtain a prescription.
Health Services Fee Stu dents should make every effort to address health problems through Brown Health Services before consulting with a private physician. Full-time students are billed a Health Services fee that covers use of the facility and its services during the academic year. This fee is separate from the student health insurance charge. Students already receiving full financial support from the University usually receive the Health Services fee for the fall and spring semesters as part of their support. Brown Health Services charges a separate fee for summer coverage; all students on campus during the summer are individually responsible for the fee.
Guide to Brown CAMPUS OFFICES AND SERVICES 24 Health Insurance All Brown students are required to show proof of health insurance while they are enrolled at the University. All registered students, are automatically enrolled in the University’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). The plan has an annual premium of $2,348 for the 2010–2011 academic year for continuing students or those who matriculate in the fall of 2010; the deadline for waiving SHIP for the 2010–2011 academic year is June 1, 2010; academic-year coverage is effective from August 15, 2010, to August 15, 2011. The plan’s spring-semester premium (for students who matriculate in the spring semester of 2011) is $1,396; the deadline for waiving for the 2010 Spring semester is January 1, 2011; spring-semester coverage is effective from January 15, 2011, to August 15, 2011. Students may waive SHIP coverage by presenting proof of adequate outside coverage to the University’s Insurance Office.
Insurance Office Many doctoral students who are financially supported by the University will automatically be granted a health insurance subsidy and do not need to submit an application for one unless Brown University Box 1848 Providence, RI 02912 the subsidy does not appear on their University bill. All other doctoral students can apply for the subsidy through the Graduate School using the application. However, students supported by (401) 863-1703 outside fellowships or grants to conduct research and attend classes will be given the highest priority. (401) 863-1566, fax Normally students who are not receiving support from Brown or from outside fellowships or Brown_Insurance_Office grants will not receive the health insurance subsidy. Subsidy applications will be reviewed on @brown.edu an individual basis. www.brown.edu/insurance Dependents Students’ dependents may be enrolled in SHIP at an additional cost. Eligible dependents include a legal spouse or domestic partner, unmarried children under the age of 19 or a full-time student up to the age of 23, or a newborn infant born while the student is covered by SHIP. A spouse or partner is generally expected to be living with the covered student in order to be eligible for coverage. Students who receive health coverage through their financial support packages from the University will need to cover the cost of adding dependents to the plan.
Health Insurance Waiver/Buyout We urge graduate students who are covered by another comparable health insurance plan to waive the University plan. Choosing the waiver enables the Graduate School to use its resources to cover those without access to another plan. If students waive the University plan and are eligible for the subsidy, they will receive a buyout of $400 ($200 for spring-semester coverage) from the Graduate School. This buyout will be distributed through the student account system. If students have a credit balance on their student account at the time the buyout is disbursed, they will be able to request a refund from the Bursar’s Office. If they do not have a credit balance at this time, the $400/$200 will be applied to their student account. Students can find out if they were automatically enrolled in the University plan by checking their student account statement for a “Health Insurance Fee.” Again, if students do not wish to participate in SHIP, they must waive by the deadline. If after reviewing the tuition bill, a student finds that he or she was not enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan, he or she is still eligible to participate. Please contact the Insurance Office for waiver instructions. Students who choose coverage through both the University’s health insurance plan and an alternate plan should be aware that the University plan includes a “Coordination of Benefits” provision. A student may want to contact his or her other insurance company to inquire about a similar provision in that plan. “Double Coverage” may affect the timely processing of claims between the two plans.
Guide to Brown CAMPUS OFFICES AND SERVICES 25 Public Safety Brown University Department of Public Safety (DPS), an internationally accredited police agency, is responsible for the safety and security of more than 10,000 students, staff, faculty, and guests, and is governed by its code of ethics. With a jurisdiction including all University property and adjacent city streets, the department is responsible for 235 buildings over an area in excess of 140 acres. The DPS Communication and Information Center is open and staffed 24 hours a day. Department headquarters is located at 75 Charlesfield Street. Police and security officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week in patrol vehicles and on foot. Please do not hesitate to approach an officer if you are lost or need assistance. If you are living off campus, please call the Providence Police Department for emergency response by dialing 911. Department of Public Safety 75 Charlesfield Street DPS provides the following services for students Brown University Box 1842 Providence, RI 02912 Safewalk: Th is student-run safety service provides on-campus point-to-point walking escorts for Brown community members. Each two-person escort team also patrols the campus, acting as (401) 863-4111 additional eyes and ears for campus safety. The teams can be identified by their distinctive neon police, fire, medical emergencies vests and photo IDs. This service is available Sunday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. (401) 863-3322 during the academic year. Call (401) 863-1079 to request a Safewalk. routine response Ema il alerts and notifications are sent by the Department of Public Safety (401) 863-3103 Campus Watch: administrative office to students, faculty, staff, campus agencies, and local businesses about any major or significant crimes or criminal incidents that occur on or nearby campus. Emails are sent to all those that have (401) 863-1079 an active brown email account. to request a Safewalk escort (401) 863-2542 Weekly Incident Summaries: A weekly summary of incidents and crimes reported to DPS is for SVU services available on the DPS website. (401) 863-1740 TDD Special Victims Unit: Adv ocacy and support services to include safety planning, court (401) 863-1438 accompaniment, assistance with obtaining protective orders, review of victim rights, and women’s Residential Assessment self-defense programming. and Property Engraving Bike and Laptop Registration: This engraving service protects and, in the event of theft, helps [email protected] recover students’ bicycles and laptops. The engraving can be done by appointment or during bike www.brown.edu/publicsafety registration week, when information on proper bicycle locks is also provided and a bike safety check is performed. Note: Cable bike locks are strongly discouraged because they are too easily cut. Our department recommends that you purchase a steel horseshoe-shaped bike lock. The proper use of this lock is demonstrated at bike registration week, or you may make an appointment with the DPS crime prevention officer.
Rave Guardian: Th e Rave Guardian service offers a cell phone speed-dial option to students, faculty and staff at Brown. Using Rave Guardian, supplied by Rave Wireless (ravewireless.com), the Brown Department of Public Safety can respond to panic calls and precautionary timer alarms activated by community members who are registered with the service. The system is an “opt-in” system, meaning the process of notification to Public Safety is activated only by the user in a case of an emergency.
Residence Security Assessments: DPS offers home security assessments for graduate students living nearby in off-campus housing. For more information, please call the DPS Crime Prevention Unit.
Card Access: a campus-wide card-access system has been installed in all residence halls and in several administrative buildings on campus. There is 24-hour monitoring of the system, and an officer is dispatched if a door is propped or held open too long or is forced open. As with all technology, the system is not infallible, and students are advised to remain vigilant and to make sure that doors are closed and locked behind them. Do not prop doors open.
Guide to Brown CAMPUS OFFICES AND SERVICES 26 Psychological Services Students make use of Psychological Services when they are experiencing significant difficulty coping, faced with making difficult decisions, or managing other mental problems. The department Psychological Services offers short-term individual counseling, crisis, consultation, and medication management as J. Walter Wilson, Room 516, appropriate. Services are short term and are not meant to replace long-term care; for long-term 69 Brown Street care a Brown counselor can provide a referral to a Providence-area therapist. Records are confidential Brown University, Box 1960 and are not made a part of a student’s medical record. There is no charge for any of these services. Providence, RI 02912 To make an appointment or to reach the on-call clinician outside the regular office hours phone (401) 863-3476 the number below. www.brown.edu/Student_Services/ Psychological_Services Disability Support Services Disability Support Services (DSS) coordinates services for students with physical, psychological, and learning disabilities. Students requesting an accommodation or services due to a disability should contact Disability Support Services. Requests for accommodation are evaluated individually and must include a DSS Registration Form as well as current documentation of the area of disability. Disability Support Services To start the registration process, please email [email protected] or call (401) 863-9588. Students Brown University Box P are encouraged to register by July 1, 2010, especially if they will need accommodations that require Providence, RI 02912 advance planning. (401) 863-9588 (v/TTY) (401) 863-1999, fax Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life [email protected] Brown’s multi-faith team of chaplains support the diversity and practice of the University www.brown.edu/dss ommunity including several traditions of Judaism at Hillel; a lively, liturgy-based Roman Catholic community; Protestant worship in both ecumenical and African American traditions; daily prayer at the Muslim Student Center; weekly Hindu prayer; the silence of Quaker meeting; daily Zen meditation; the Orthodox Christian Association, and many Evangelical fellowships. Graduate and medical students are active in all these settings and occasionally organize groups and projects in partnership with OCRL. Continuing a tradition of more than four decades, the Chaplain of the Office of the Chaplains University, the Reverend Janet M. Cooper Nelson, hosts Thursday Interfaith Supper (TNS) to and Religious Life welcome students from all reaches of the University for a casual supper and faculty-led conversation J. Walter Wilson on topics related to religion, spirituality and ethics. A weekly TNS email notifies interested 69 Brown Street, Suite 410 participants of the topic. The chaplains are always available for support and counsel – especially Brown University Box 1931 in bereavement, and are available to perform rituals as needed. The Chaplains Discretionary Fund Providence, RI 02912 provides modest, confidential assistance in exigent situations. (401) 863-2344 (401) 863-9359, fax Student Activities Office www.brown.edu/ocrl The Student Activities Office leads campus efforts to support student organizations and their leaders. In addition, the office is responsible for managing and coordinating several facilities that serve the Brown community, including Faunce House, which is undergoing renovations in summer 2010 to create the Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center and T.F. Green Hall, a center for student art and performance. For information about Brown’s 400+ student groups, myGroups (http://mygroups.brown.edu) is a useful resource. While a majority of the groups listed are Student Activities Office primarily undergraduate groups, membership in most groups is open to all students. The SAO Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center also supports Brown Student Agencies (BSA), a student-run operation that provides a variety Room 228 of services for comfortable living, including a laundry and dry-cleaning service, fan and refrigerator Brown University Box 1930 rentals, and linen sales. New service ideas and proposals are always welcome! Visit Providence, RI 02912 http://bsa.brown.edu for more information. (401) 863-2341 (401) 863-1155, fax [email protected] www.brown.edu/sao
Guide to Brown CAMPUS OFFICES AND SERVICES 27 Writing Center Staffed by graduate students from a variety of academic disciplines, the Writing Center is a free academic support service available to all members of the Brown community. Staff associates are experienced writers and teachers who participate in ongoing training in composition and Writing Center theory and practice. In addition to holding one-on-one conferences, Writing Center Associates offer various workshops on writing for interested groups. Writing Center Writing Center conferences generally last an hour. Experienced as well as inexperienced writers J. Walter Wilson, 69 Brown Street, Room 213 are encouraged to come to the center with their writing concerns. Writing Center associates Brown University Box 1956 are prepared to discuss all stages of the writing process, from finding a topic up through revision Providence, RI 02912 and editing strategies. Associates can help writers deal with writer's block, audience awareness, (401) 863-3524 argumentation, organization, grammar, research skills, the conventions of academic writing, English as a Foreign Language, and issues of clarity and style. [email protected] The Writing Center is located in J. Walter Wilson 213, 69 Brown Street. The hours are Sunday www.brown.edu/Student_Services/ Writing_Center 3-9 p.m., and Monday–Thursday 12-9 p.m. To set up an appointment, please send an email to [email protected]. This information and more can be found at www.brown.edu/ Student_Services/Writing_Center. The website also provides an extensive list of resources for writers in every discipline and writing-related resources such as departmental style guides and other materials.
Athletics & Physical Education Brown graduate students have free access to the University’s recreational athletics facilities and are admitted to home sporting events free of charge with their Brown ID. Information about purchasing guest passes or memberships for spouses, partners, and children is available at: www.brown.edu/Athletics/Recsports/membership.html. Below you will find a listing of our recreational offerings as well as our facilities on campus. Additional information is available through the websites provided. A Brown student ID is required to access all campus facilities.
Department of Athletics Intramural Sports and PE The intramural sports program offers team, dual, and individual activities to more than 5,000 Olney-Margolies Athletic Center participants in the Brown community. Sports include flag football, soccer, basketball, softball, Box 1933, 235 Hope Street ice-hockey, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, tennis, squash, and badminton. Special events include Providence, RI 02912 a golf scramble, Hasbro Olympics, Rock-Papers-Scissors, Trivia Bowl, and Family Feud, as well (401) 863-3537 as tournaments in dodge ball, kickball, whiffleball, and outdoor volleyball. Teams and free agents www.brown.edu/recsports are encouraged to participate. More information can be found at www.brown.edu/im. www.brownbears.com Club Sports Club sports are student led and compete at various levels. Most teams practice 2-3 times a week and compete in weekly tournaments or in league competition. Currently we offer field hockey (w), ice hockey (m), lacrosse (m/w), rugby (m/w), sailing (w/co), skiing (m), soccer (m/w), tennis (m/w), ultimate Frisbee (m/w), and volleyball (m/w). More information can be found at www.brown.edu/clubsports.
Physical Education Gr aduate Students can take advantage of more than 64 physical education courses offered in the fall and spring semesters as well as sessions during our winter and summer breaks. Class offerings include body sculpt, cardio kick, hip-hop dance, pilaties, spinning, step & sculpt, yoga, zumba and more. We also offer instruction in ice skating, tennis, and squash. For a complete course listing visit www.brown.edu/physed. Personal training sessions and golf lessons are also available.
Guide to Brown CAMPUS OFFICES AND SERVICES 28 Satellite Fitness Centers In addition to the fitness facilities in the OMAC, three satellite centers are available for use: the Bear’s Lair (located in the Graduate Center Tower E), the Bigelow Facility (located in Keeney Quad), and the Emery Facility (on the ground level of Emery Hall). There is no card access outside of the posted operating hours. These facilities are only available to students.
The Olney-Margolies Athletic Center (OMAC) The OMAC serves as the main recreation facility on campus. Here you will find three basketball courts and 2 badminton courts in addition to a volleyball court, 200-meter track, dance studio, spin room, weight room and 2,550 square-foot fitness corner. The OMAC is also the home site of Brown Bears field hockey, fencing, and indoor track & field. The hours of operation for the OMAC are: Monday–Thursday 6 a.m.–midnight, Friday 6 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m., and Sunday (Seasonal Break hours: Monday-Friday 6 a.m.–8 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday noon-5 p.m.). For announcements and updates, visit www.brown.edu/Athletics/Recsports/omac.html.
Aquatics Bubble The Aquatics bubble was completed in December 2007 as a temporary training facility for the men’s and women’s water polo and swimming and diving teams. Recreational swim hours are also offered: Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday 7:30–10:30 p.m., and Sunday 3–6 p.m. (Summer break hours: Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday 4–7 p.m., and Sunday 1–4 p.m.) For announcements and updates, visit www.brown.edu/ Athletics/Recsports/temp_pool.html.
Pizzitola The Pizzitola Sports Center provides an intercollegiate competition court for men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, wrestling, and gymnastics with bleacher and balcony seating of 2,800. Pizzitola is also home to men’s and women’s tennis and squash. The five squash courts and four tennis courts are available for students to use by reservation, by calling (401) 863-1313. Tennis reservations can also be made online at www.browntennisreservations.com.
Meehan Auditorium Meehan is the venue for intercollegiate, club, and intramural ice-hockey, and holds regular open ice hours Monday–Thursday noon–2 p.m., and Sunday 2–3:30 p.m. For announcements and updates, visit www.brown.edu/Athletics/Recsports/meehan.html.
Brown Stadium Home of Brown football, the stadium’s current capacity is 20,000, although a record crowd of 33,000 witnessed Brown face Colgate on Thanksgiving morning, 1932, with portable bleachers being brought in for the game. Members of both the Brown community and Providence at large flock to the stadium each fall to see the Brown Bears. The stadium is located at 400 Elmgrove Avenue, one mile northeast of the Erickson Athletic Complex.
Guide to Brown CAMPUS OFFICES AND SERVICES 29 Beyond the Gates
An Introduction to Rhode Island Rhode Island was the first of the thirteen colonies to declare independence from England and has historically fostered a strong spirit of independence among its citizenry – the majestic State House is topped with a statue of “the Independent Man.” Brown is proud to claim four of the state’s top office-holders as alumni. Governor Donald Carcieri ’65, Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts ’78, Attorney General Patrick Lynch ’87, and Providence Mayor David Cicilline ’83. Rhode Island’s representatives in the U.S. Senate are Democrats Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and the congressional representative for Brown’s district is Democrat Patrick J. Kennedy, who is not seeking reelection. Democrat James R. Langevin is the state’s second representative. Brown’s medical school, founded in 1975 and renamed the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, helps attract world-class doctors and significant federal research dollars to Rhode Island. Brown, the third largest employer in the Providence area, also helps to develop new businesses through various partnerships with the state. Brown also works closely with leaders of Providence’s public education system and human service agencies to leverage the resources of the University’s centers and programs in support of our city’s citizens. The Annenberg Institute for School Reform, the Education Alliance, and the Institute for Elementary and Secondary Education are among the many Brown-affiliated organizations that offer assistance and resources to public schools. The following pages offer a brief overview of your new home.
Providence and Beyond Even the most involved, excited, and intellectually intrigued students often need to leave the confines of the campus. A place to wander for a sunny afternoon, a private spot to picnic, and a campsite for a long weekend are resources not usually mentioned by academic advisors and course guides. Don’t worry, Rhode Island is perfect for students who need a break and for people who like to explore on their own.
Facts about Rhode Island You may wish to explore many of the historic sites and national parks of the region. A favorite Saturday getaway is Newport, Rhode Island, with its waterfront Founded: 1636 nightlife and its many restored historic mansions. Block Island, Cape Cod, Founder: Roger Williams Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket Island are perfect weekend retreats. Boston, Declared Independence only 50 minutes away, has something for everyone: the Faneuil Hall Marketplace from Great Britain: May 4, 1776 area, the New England Aquarium, the marvelous Museum of Fine Arts, the Miles of coastline: 400 Boston Museum of Science, the traditional history of the Freedom Trail, and Symphony Hall. Nature lovers and skiers will head for Vermont and New Hampshire State bird: Rhode Island Red (chicken) for the foliage, the snow, the maple syrup, even the apple-picking. Tourist guides State tree: Maple can be found in the Brown Bookstore. State flower: Violet The Providence Phoenix and other local free alternative papers carry listings State mineral: Bowenite (similar to jade) of movies and musical and dramatic performances, as well as articles of general State stone: Cumberlandite interest. Copies can be picked up in the Brown Post Office and several Thayer (found only in Rhode Island) Street establishments; be on the lookout. If you subscribe to the Providence U.S. Senators: Sheldon Whitehouse, Journal, check out its LifeBeat section. Rhode Island Monthly magazine is also Jack Reed a good bet. U.S. Representatives: Patrick J. Kennedy, Keep an eye on kiosks, telephone poles, and the bulletin boards at places like James R. Langevin the Brown Bookstore; local organizations usually include the Brown campus in Governor: Donald Carcieri ’65 their postering. If you are wondering about a specific event, call the Rhode Island Mayor of Providence: David Cicilline ’83 Tourism Division, (800) 250-7834, or visit the website: www.visitrhodeisland.com. The agency maintains and publishes a year-long calendar of events taking place throughout Rhode Island.
Guide to Brown BEYOND THE GATES 30 Thayer Street and Beyond Brown is nestled in the midst of some interesting neighborhoods. College Hill, located on the East Side of Providence, is known for its large, historic homes and pretty residential streets. It’s a great place to bicycle, jog, or just take a walk. Blackstone Boulevard, about a mile east of the campus, is a wonderful place to run (1.7 miles one way); a packed soil walking and jogging path runs the length of the street on the landscaped center median. Fox Point, south of the campus, has a strong Portuguese identity and character. The Wickenden Street area, rapidly moving upscale, is the heart of this community and offers a variety of stores in which you can buy fresh Portuguese sweet bread, antiques, coffee, and hardware supplies – or eat at an eclectic assortment of eateries.
Outdoor Recreation Rhode Island offers 100 miles of sandy beaches along 400 miles of coastline; world-class tourist attractions and historical sites such as the seaside city of Newport; and breathtaking scenery. Bike paths, downtown Providence kayaking, numerous nature preserves, several state parks, and even a downhill ski resort – Yawgoo Valley – provide something for almost everyone who wants to get outside and enjoy the New England landscape. You might want to contact Brown’s Outing Club for ideas and scheduled activities. Visit the Rhode Island tourism website for other specific attractions: www.VisitRhodeIsland.com.
Banking
BankRI Ban kRI has a branch office near Eastside Marketplace, about a half-mile east of campus.
Citizens Bank Th ere is a branch located at the corner of Brook and Waterman streets, just east of the main campus. They offer two ATMs at this location, as well as one at Tedeschi on Thayer Street.
Bank of America The nearest branch is located at 457 Angell Street, about a half-mile east of campus.
Sovereign Bank There is a branch in close proximity to the main campus at 272 Thayer Street, with an ATM outside the building offering 24-hour access. An ATM is also located at the CVS/Pharmacy at 291 Thayer Street.
Shopping
Near Brown Thayer Street, the East Side’s “Main Street,” runs through the middle of campus. Lining the street and those nearby is a variety of small shops, restaurants, and banks. Wayland Square is about a half-mile east on Waterman Street and contains small specialty stores and cafés. Wickenden Street, just to the south of campus, offers an eclectic blend of funky, old-fashioned, and upscale shops and coffee bars, as well as a full-service hardware store. North Main Street, at the foot of the Hill, stretches north to Pawtucket. South Main Street, which becomes North Main, has chic stores and restaurants. The Providence Place Mall is one place to shop downtown. It features 150 department and specialty stores, a variety of restaurants, a multiplex cinema, and an IMAX theater. Two other large malls are located in Warwick, Rhode Island, only 15 minutes southwest of the Brown campus off of I-95.
Guide to Brown BEYOND THE GATES 31 Grocery Stores
Whole Foods Two locations: 1) About a mile east of campus on Waterman Street. 2) North of College Hill on North Main Street. The stores feature natural and whole foods, quality seafood and meats, organic fruits and vegetables, vitamins and natural supplements, an extensive takeout selection, and hearty breads.
Eastside Marketplace Hea d east on Waterman Street from anywhere on the Brown campus, and then make a right onto Butler Avenue just past Whole Foods. The parking lot will be straight ahead. On Wednesdays a Brown Card gets you 5% off your total order. In the same shopping complex are a Rite Aid drugstore and a dry-cleaner.
Super Stop & Shop Go north on North Main Street, turn left at the Branch Avenue intersection, cross over the freeway, and it will be on your left. It’s got everything, with a special emphasis on ethnic foods serving the local Portuguese, Latino, African, and Asian populations. Open 24 hours on weekdays, until midnight on weekends.
How to Get Around A car is useful, but not necessary. Brown’s campus is small, and Providence has a fairly extensive and reliable public transportation system. If you don’t have a car and neither feet nor bicycle wheels will do the trick, take a look at the following:
Rhode Island Public Transit Authority RIPTA operates buses throughout the state and in Providence; service is dependable and all Brown students ride free. Check schedules at www.ripta.com.
Interstate Buses Peter Pan and Greyhound have a shuttle service from Kennedy Plaza downtown to the main terminal at exit 25 off I-95 North; buses run regularly to most points out of state.
Train Rail service to and from Boston and New York (as well as points in between) runs through the Amtrak station next to the State House.
Guide to Brown BEYOND THE GATES 32