Summer@Brown: A Note to Parents

Pre-College Programs at Brown University – Summer 2009

A Note to Parents:

We look forward to welcoming your student to campus for Summer@Brown. Please review the information below, and do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns.

Is Summer@Brown the right fit?

Brown’s Pre-College Summer program is a unique opportunity for bright, motivated, responsible young people to live and work in a university environment with minimal supervi­sion. Students take charge of their own experiences and are expected to manage their academic and social lives. The combination of challenging academics and personal independence has been a successful formula for pre-college students at Brown.

Supervision

Students are expected to manage their time appropriately and make good choices. However, a team of carefully selected and trained Residence Directors (RDs) and Resident Advisors (RAs) live in the residence halls. These skilled and caring live-in professionals enforce policies and help students balance the competing demands of academic and social life. Residential staff are a student’s resource for everything from assisting with roommate conflicts to guiding you through the campus system.

Participation

Summer@Brown is first and foremost an academic program. When students are not in class, they are encouraged to take advantage of a full calendar of co-curricular activities and social events. Although participation in extra-curricular activities is not mandatory, it is our expectation that pre-college students enrolled in our programs take advantage of as many workshops and activities as their schedule will allow.

Maturity and Independence

Participation in Summer@Brown requires a certain level of maturity and independence. Students are expected to manage their time appropriately and make good choices. The residential staff's emphasis on community-building and individual responsibility encourages students to develop the skills required for an enjoyable and successful pre-college experience, and promotes the development of strong friendships among the program's participants.

Independence is central to the Brown summer experience - for many students, this level of independence will be a new experience. It may help parents to view Summer@Brown as a unique opportunity for bright, motivated young people to practice managing their daily lives in a supportive environment.

It is our belief that this combination of rigorous academics and personal independence prepares pre-college students for the challenges of college life. Students and their parents have said that the best part of the summer program was balancing academics with personal growth, including opportunities to socialize with students from around the world. When pre-college students complete a Summer@Brown program, they emerge with renewed confidence that they will be able to make a successful adjustment to college life.

Contacting Your Student

Telephone service is available in all rooms, but students must bring your own telephone and answering machine. Many students find that cell phones are a more convenient alternative. Summer@Brown staff cannot honor requests to track down a student except in emergency situations. 

Emergency Contact: Brown Department of Public Safety: (401) 863-3322

Policies

Specific policies apply to aspects of academic and residence life, including class attendance, plagiarism, curfew, quiet hours, and disruptive behavior. A Code of Conduct Agreement is sent to all families and students for your consent and signature at the time of admission. General policies may be reviewed in the Policy section of this site.