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Providence, Rhode Island 02912
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AICU Language Consortium Program

The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island (AICU Rhode Island) offers this program to students currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at one of Rhode Island's private institutions of higher education:

  • Brown University
  • Providence College
  • Bryant University
  • Roger Williams University
  • Johnson and Wales University
  • Salve Regina University

This program is intended to enable students at AUCI Rhode Island institutions to advance their knowledge in foreign languages and to extend their participation in courses focused on second language acquisition. Only in instances when a course is not offered at a student’s home institution, may he or she seek enrollment in a language course at another AICU Rhode Island institution.

At Brown University, first priority for enrollment must be given to Brown degree candidates – and thus AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium program students may not be able to enroll in "limited enrollment" courses or in most "special permission required" courses.

Each Brown course carries 4 semester credit hours. Fall and Spring semesters are each 12-13 week terms with an additional period of approximately two weeks for reading period and final examinations. The Summer term is not part of the Consortium agreement.

Grade Options

Language Consortium students may enroll in courses either for grade or Satisfactory/No Credit.  AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium students should be aware of the grading policy of their instructor and at Brown.

Grade:

  • Courses selected for grade option offer only A/B/C and no-credit. 
  • Taking a course for credit means that the student must meet all the course requirements as specified by the instructor.
  • Satisfactory/No Credit: What other universities commonly call Pass/Fail is the S/NC option at Brown.
  • Auditing: Auditing a course is not an option within the Language Consortium.

Transcript

  • Upon completion of each course, students may request their Brown transcript from the Registrar’s Office and submit it to their home institution for grade and credit transfer. 
  • Brown University is not responsible for the student’s home institution’s policies on transfer credit or for providing specific course information to the home university.

Which Courses are available to AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium students?

The exact courses available each semester are subject to change. Enrollment in courses beyond the 0100 level will be determined by completion of the language placement procedure. All courses require approval and signature of the instructor in order for students to register. (See below for course placement information in How to Apply).

Year-long Courses at Brown:

  • For courses identified as "year-long,” enrollment for two semesters is required and grades and credit are awarded at the completion of the second semester. 
  • For students who do not complete the second semester of the "year-long" course, credit and grades for the first semester are forfeited. 
  • In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted to the second semester of a "year-long" course and will earn credit for the one semester.

Language Consortium eligible courses typically offered each semester.

Language Consortium students are expected to follow Brown academic policies:

  • Taking a course for credit means that the student must meet all the course requirements as specified by the instructor.
  • Students are also subject to the same academic policies regarding course prerequisites, grading options, extension of work, etc. as any other Brown student.
  • Enrollment in a course assumes that the student will attend the class and the scheduled exams, including any final exams. Students should be aware of the course and exam schedule and should make arrangements to meet the expectations of the course.
  • Students requesting additional time to complete a final paper or assignment must obtain a form of incomplete.  This form is available in the Registrar's Office. It must be submitted to the Registrar by the faculty member. 
  • All incomplete course work must be finished within one year for Fall or Spring semester courses.
  • These policies are outlined on the University Registrar’s web site.
  • Excuses from final examinations require the permission of a Brown University academic dean. (See the Dean of the College website)

Students can view the Banner Schedule to see up-to-date enrollments, limits, instructors, and meeting times in any of the language courses.  https://selfservice.brown.edu/ss/twbkwbis.P_GenMenu?name=homepage (choose Class Schedule)

How to Apply

Enrollment as an AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium student must be approved on a semester-by-semester basis. Enrollment does not imply admission to candidacy for a Brown University degree. Students must be in good academic standing at their home institution.

Applications for enrollment as an AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium student are due at least one month prior to the start of the term.

Application Process

  1. Complete the Special Student application form (with specific course # and title indicated)
  2. Fax current transcript(s) from the college/university which you are attending to Continuing Education/Brown attn: RI Language Consortium. Fax #: 401-863- 3916.
  3. Submit a letter on your university’s letterhead from your Dean indicating that the course you are requesting is not available at your home institution and that you are approved to enroll in this course and to transfer the credit

** For International Students enrolled in a degree program on an F-1/J-1, you must be mindful of your lawful nonimmigrant status.  You must, therefore, in advance obtain a letter of concurrent enrollment authorization from your International Student Advisor at your U.S. home institution (who issued your I-20/DS 2019).  Submit a copy of that letter to Brown’s Continuing Education with your enrollment materials.

Application materials should be sent to:
Continuing Education
Brown University
200 Dyer Street
Box T
Providence, RI 02912

For Admitted Students of the AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium Program

After you receive an email confirming that you have been admitted into the program, please follow these steps:

  • Schedule a registration advising appointment with a Brown University Continuing Education Program Director by emailing Laura Duphily at Laura_Duphily@Brown.edu. Indicate "Special Student Appointment" in the subject line. 
  • Registration advising appointments will take place a few days before the semester begins.
  • If you are seeking enrollment in a course beyond the 0100 level, you must schedule and complete the language placement procedure.  You should coordinate this assessment with the Language Resource Center at Brown or by meeting with the designated faculty member in the language department for an assessment interview. 
  • Complete the Registration forms you receive at your advising session,
  • Obtain the required faculty signature. All classes require signed permission from the instructor. Please keep in mind that registration in some courses is limited because of space. 
  • Submit the completed forms to the Registrar’s Office, which is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located in J. Walter Wilson Hall, 3rd Floor, room 318. The building is located at the corner of Brown and Waterman Streets.

Please note that AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium students register after matriculating students, and all AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium students must obtain the instructor’s permission no later than the third class meeting in order to finalize their registration. The Brown University BANNER Course Schedule will indicate which courses have limited enrollment and what the enrollment to date is.

Student enrollment will be confirmed with the Dean of your home institution.  Although the enrollment deadline for Brown courses is the end of the 4th week of classes, most language instructors will not allow students to add the course after the first three class meetings.

AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium students enrolled through the RI Language Consortium agreement will receive:

  • A Brown ID,
  • A Brown email address,
  • And will be able to access libraries and on-line course materials.

AICU Rhode Island Language Consortium students do not have access to meal contracts, Health Services, or other services provided specifically for undergraduate students (tutoring, academic resource office, Writing Center, etc…).

Study at the University is governed by the academic and social policies stipulated in the Brown University Academic Code and Non-Academic Conduct policy.