Brown/RISD Dual Degree Program Handbook
Download the handbook as a PDF document.
Campus Life
Students enrolled in the Brown/RISD Dual Degree Program are considered active students at both institutions throughout their five years. As noted in “Access to Facilities and ID Cards” on the next page, students will be issued ID cards for both schools that will grant access to the resources and services of both institutions. Program students may also access support resources at either institution, including the support of staff members in the Office of Student Life at Brown or the Office of Student Affairs at RISD. At Brown, deans in Student Life can assist with personal/family issues, health or emotional concerns, and to some degree academic struggles, and they will direct students to other resources when appropriate. At RISD, the Office of the Associate Provost for Student Affairs can direct students to appropriate support from a number of offices within the Division of Student Affairs, such as Counseling and Student Development, Academic Advising, Health Services, Residence Life, and Student Life. Both the Brown Student Life Office and the RISD Student Affairs Office oversee their respective institutions’ non-academic judicial systems and can answer student code of conduct or procedure questions. At both institutions there is always someone available during the day for crisis appointments and at other times through a staff on-call rotation schedule. For urgent situations, students may reach Brown’s administrator-on-call (401 863-3322) during evenings and weekends. At RISD, the Department of Public Safety (401 454-6376) will be able to reach the appropriate staff member to assist you during an emergency.
BROWN: Office of Student Life, 20 Benevolent Street, 863-3145,
http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Office_of_Student_Life/
RISD: Office of Student Affairs, 20 Washington Place, 1st floor, 454-6600,
http://intranet.risd.edu/SiteMap/Default.aspx (see Student Affairs)
Residence Life
Program participants will be housed at RISD during year one of the program and Brown during year two. During year three, students will need to satisfy Brown’s residency requirement by living on campus, but this may be accomplished by residing at either Brown or RISD, according to individual preference and availability.
Year One: During the first year of enrollment in the Dual Degree Program, all students will reside in RISD housing. At RISD, all first-year students live together. In addition, Dual Degree Program students will be housed together within the first-year buildings to provide an additional opportunity for mutual support.
Year Two: Students will live in Brown housing. They will participate in Brown’s housing lottery in the spring of year one and will have an opportunity to select housing through the same process as all Brown rising sophomores.
Year Three: Students must be in residence on campus at either Brown or RISD. During year two, students should express their preference on the campus of their choice prior to the start of the housing selection process. For RISD housing, this is accomplished by paying the housing deposit before the advertised deadline.
Years Four and Five: Students can live on- or off-campus (with permission) for years four and five. For off-campus permission, they must get approval through Brown’s Office of Residential Life. For on-campus housing, they would participate in the housing lottery through the campus of their choice.
Although Dual Degree students may be residing on one campus or the other throughout their enrollment, they always have access to all campus facilities at both schools.
Access to Facilities and ID Cards
Students in the Brown/RISD Dual Degree Program have access to the buildings, facilities, and grounds at both schools in the same way as other undergraduate students at either institution.
Students will be issued ID cards from both schools that will reflect their status as Dual Degree Program students. ID cards are used for access to buildings, library privileges, and dining services. When at either campus, students should use the card relevant to that school, as the Brown-issued card will work only at Brown and the RISD-issued card will work only at RISD. Students should carry their ID cards at all times when on campus and present their IDs when requested to do so. To avoid fraudulent card use, lost or stolen ID cards should be reported to the Department of Public Safety and/or Card ID Services at both institutions. Card replacement fees will be handled independently by each institution.
Both Brown and RISD will send ID forms to students before school begins. Students can return them with photos, and their ID cards will be ready upon arrival.
Brown ID card: The Brown CardDeclining Balance Account is an optional debit account that allows students to use their Brown IDat the Brown Bookstore, Computer Store, Campus Shop, campus dining centers, and snack locations.
Using a Card Value Center (CVC) machine, students can transfer funds from their declining balance or add cash directly to their Brown ID card to take advantage of vending options on campus, including snacks, beverages, laundry, and copy machines.
RISD ID card: In addition to building access, library privileges, and dining services, the RISD ID card is encoded to work like an ATM or credit card for debiting a prepaid dining option or at the RISD Store. Cash-to-card machines allow funds to be deposited for vending, laundrymachines, copy machines, and printing.
BROWN: Card Office, J. Walter Wilson Hall, 69 Brown Street, 863-2273,
http://brown.edu/Administration/Financial_Services/Browncard/
RISD: Campus ID Card Services, 48 Waterman Street, 454-6664,
http://intranet.risd.edu/SiteMap/Default.aspx (see Campus ID Card Services)
Disciplinary Codes and Processes
Students in the program will be subject to and responsible for the academic and non-academic codes for student conduct at both Brown and RISD at all times and so should acquaint themselves thoroughly with both sets of expectations and protocols. Although there are many areas of overlap and commonality between the two sets of codes, there are also areas of divergence, and Dual Degree students will be expected to understand and adhere to both.
Brown Principles of the Brown Community and Academic Code:
www.brown.edu/Administration/Dean_of_the_College/curriculum/principles.php
RISD Conduct and Disciplinary Code and Procedures:
http://intranet.risd.edu/SiteMap/Default.aspx (see Student Affairs); also see RISD Student Handbook
Any infractions of academic policy will ordinarily be addressed by the school at which the offense is said to have occurred, regardless of where the student is aresident. Any infractions of non-academicpolicy will ordinarily be addressed by the school at which the student is a resident, regardless of where the infraction is said to have occurred. Students will live at RISD in year one, at Brown in year two, at the institution of the student’s choice in year three, and at the institution of the student’s choice or off-campus thereafter. A student who chooses to live off-campus will be deemed for this purpose to be a resident of Brown during year four and a resident of RISD during year five. The relevant offices of Brown and RISD that handle disciplinary matters will consult and coordinate with one another as necessary and appropriate.
Disciplinary actions taken by either school will be accepted by the other. For example, a student suspended by Brown is suspended from RISD on the same terms and for the same length of time. A student dismissed from RISD is similarly dismissed from Brown. A prior offense at either school may be considered in subsequent disciplinary proceedings by the other school if and to the extent permitted under the other school’s disciplinary rules.
Disciplinary Records: Brown will keep case materials for incidents handled at Brown, and RISD will keep case materials for incidents handled at RISD, but those materials arefully available to appropriate officials at the other institution upon request. This includes the outcome and any sanctions. Students are required to give consent to this in writing as a condition of their enrollment.
Transcript notations initiated by one institution will appear on that institution’s transcript only. However, one institution may have a notation on its transcript to refer to the other institution’srecord.
Public Safety
Students may use the public safety services of either institution, regardless of where the student resides. If a crime or incident occurs on either campus, students are advised to call the public safety office or department where the crime or incident occurs.
Brown Department of Public Safety
Faunce House Arch, 75 Waterman Street
863-3322, x3-3322, 24 hours a day, seven days a week
http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Public_Safety/
RISD Department of Public Safety
30 Waterman Street
454-6376, x4848 or x6376, 24 hours a day,seven days a week
http://intranet.risd.edu/SiteMap/Default.aspx (see Public Safety)
Health and Counseling
Students may use the health and counseling services of either institution regardless of where the student resides. Students will pay Brown’s health services and health insurance fees. Student health and counseling information at each school will be accessible to the other school and employees of its health and counseling services staff. Students are required to give consent to this in writing as a condition of their enrollment.
BROWN: Health Services, Andrews House (Brown and Charlesfield streets), x3-3953 (863-3953), www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Medical_Services.htm
Psychological Services, J. Walter Wilson, x3-3476 (863-3476), www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Psychological_Services/
Brown Crisis Services, Office of Student Life (OSL) provides crisis services 24 hours a day for students with personal or family emergencies. Dean of the day (8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.), 863-3145; and dean on call (evenings and weekends), 863-4111, www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Office_of_Student_Life/support_services
Psychological Emergencies and Sexual Assault Crisis Support: 863-3476 (business hours), 863-3953 (after hours)
Sexual Assault Advocates: 863-1781.
Discrimination/Harassment by faculty, staff, or other students: contact dean for student life, 863-3529; director of student life, 863-3145; or director of institutional diversity, 863-2617. When a student is harassed by another student, contact a dean in the Office of Student Life, 863-3800.
RISD: Health Services, 55 Angell Street, 454-6625
Emergencies: call Department of Public Safety, x4848 (277-4848) or x6376, http://intranet.risd.edu/SiteMap/Default.aspx (see Health Services)
Counseling and Disability Services, Student Development Office and Counseling Services, College Building, first floor, 454-6637. Emergencies during non-office hours, call Department of Public Safety, x4848 (277-4848); officer on duty will notify appropriate RISD staff member. E-mail: counserv@risd.edu. Visit http://departments.risd.edu/depts/counsel/.
Day One: Sexual Assault and Trauma Resource Center, 421-4100 for confidential support and an advocate to meet you at hospital or police station.
Disability Support Services
Students may use the disability support services of either institution, regardless of where they reside. Disability support information at each school will be accessible to the other school’s disability support employees. Students are required to give consent to this in writing as a condition of their enrollment.
BROWN: Disability Support Services, 20 Benevolent Street, 863-9588,
www.brown.edu/dss
RISD: Counseling and Disability Services, Student Development Office and Counseling Services, College Building, first floor, 454-6637,
http://departments.risd.edu/depts/counsel
International Students
Immigration and student visa issues are handled through Brown’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services. Visit www.brown.edu/Administration/OISSS/
Transportation
A full range of transportation options makes it easy to get around the campuses and Providence without a car.
SafeRIDE (Brown) – Brown operates a shuttle transportation service known as safeRIDE, free to Brown and RISD IDholders. SafeRIDE operates day and night-time transport around campus and across downtown Providence. For available services and schedules, visit www.brown.edu/Administration/Finance_and_Admin/saferide/
RISD Rides – RISD operates an evening transportation service called RISD Rides, providing fixed route service for RISD and Brown ID holders from 7 p.m. to mid-night. Late Night To-Your-Door service is available for RISD ID holders. For more information and route maps, visit http://intranet.risd.edu/SiteMap/Default.aspx (see Transportation).
RIPTA – Students may ride RIPTA trolleys and regular route buses free, year-round, with their RISD or Brown ID. For schedules and more information, call 401 781-9400, or visit www.ripta.com.
ZipCar – Zipcar vehicles are available for hourly rental by Brown ID holders who are 21 years of age or older. For more information on this nationally known service, please visit www.zipcar.com/brown.
Parking – Brown and RISD are located in the heart of a densely populated residential area with little available parking. Overnight parking is not permitted on Providence streets, and private parking in the vicinity of the campuses is both scarce and expensive.
BROWN: Freshmen and sophomores may not bring automobiles to campus. Juniors and seniors may participate in the parking lottery to obtain one of the limited number of off-campus parking spaces that are accessible by safeRIDE and/or RIPTA.
RISD: On-campus parking is limited to faculty and staff.
Bicycles – RISD and Brown recommend that all bicycles used on campus be registered with the Department of Public Safety. For more information:
BROWN: www.brown.edu/Administration/Public_Safety/programs/operation.html
RISD: http://intranet.risd.edu/SiteMap/Default.aspx (see Transportation)
Walking – Brown provides Safewalk, a student-run service providing on-campus point-to-point walking escorts for Brown community members.
Student Government
Dual Degree students are entitled to participate in the student government of both institutions without restriction.
BROWN: Brown Undergraduate Council of Students (UCS)
http://brown.edu/Students/UCS/home
RISD: RISD Student Alliance Association
http://alliance.risd.edu
Clubs, Organizations, and Activities
Students will have access to all student activities at both schools at all times during the program. Student groups are identified at the following sites:
BROWN: http://mygroups.brown.edu
Student Activities Office: www.brown.edu/Administration/Student_Activities/
RISD: http://intranet.risd.edu/SiteMap/Default.aspx (see Student Involvement)
Athletics
All athletic opportunities are available to Dual Degree students. Students may participate in intercollegiate varsity athletics at Brown while they are enrolled in the Dual Degree Program. Eligibility is governed by NCAA and Ivy League rules; for example, students are eligible to play for four years only, commencing in the first academic year of enrollment; must be enrolled in 12 semester hours of courses credited toward the Brown degree; and must pass a minimum of 12 semester hours of credit each semester. In cases of conflict with academic scheduling, such as RISD Wintersession, the academic program will take precedence over the sport. Students interested in participating in intercollegiate varsity athletics should contact the associate director for student services in Brown’s Department of Athletics and Physical Education for further information, www.brownbears.com or 401 863-2211.
Communication Services
Students in the program will have access to all computing and electronic services available to students at both institutions, including online storage, library e-resources, and more. In addition, students will be provided with e-mail addresses from both institutions, and institution-sponsored communications will be delivered to those addresses; therefore, students will be responsible for checking both e-mails routinely. If desired, students can forward e-mail to either institution or to another service external to both institutions.
COMPUTING RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
BROWN: Computing and Information Services, CIS Help Desk, located in CIT, Room 101, 401 863-HELP (4357), www.brown.edu/cis/index.php
RISD: Refer to the Office of Information Technology for all communication and computing information: http://intranet.risd.edu/SiteMap/Default.aspx (see Office of Information Technology)
TELEPHONE
BROWN: Campus and local calling (Providence area) will be available to students in residence halls upon arrival; the cost is included in the room rate. Long-distance service is available (at a cost) through a long-distance provider. www.brown.edu/Facilities/CIS/Communications/Voice/stuphone.html
RISD: On-campus RISD students receive local and 800 telephone access free of charge. Long-distance service is available (at a cost) through a long-distance provider – www.campuslink.paetec.com, 800 962-4772. Visit http://intranet.risd.edu/SiteMap/Default.aspx (see Office of Information Technology)
Students will receive mail at Brown and RISD but will identify a primary mailbox (likely the residence location) at one institution. All mail communications will be forwarded to the primary mailbox.
Alumni Services
Dual Degree students may use the alumni services of both institutions.
BROWN: http://alumni.brown.edu/
RISD: Alumni Relations and Special Events, Woods-Gerry Building, 62 Prospect Street, 401 454-6794, www.risd.edu/alumni.cfm