Members of the Brown Community,

The University is carefully and thoughtfully considering the implications for non-degree visiting and exchange students, visiting faculty and researchers, and general visitors in its plans for the 2020-21 academic year. 

Brown continues to value the contributions that Brown’s visiting and exchange programs bring to our academic community, but the pandemic and related public health actions have significant implications for successfully hosting non-degree visiting and exchange students, visiting faculty and researchers, and general visitors at Brown for the coming year. Consequently, the following temporary operational changes related to these visitors are in place for Fall 2020. 

With the exception of those who are teaching in the Fall 2020 semester, or who are required for essential onsite research, lab and instructional duties:

• Non-degree, visiting undergraduate, graduate and medical students (domestic and international) will not be allowed to attend in person in the Fall 2020 semester. (Note: This restriction does not apply to initiatives of the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership, undergraduate cross-registration programs with Wheaton College and RISD, graduate cross-registration programs with Harvard University and RISD, The Graduate School Exchange Scholar Program, or participants in the Employee Education Program or those approved for essential research.)
• Visiting and adjunct faculty, and postdoctoral scholars who are teaching in the fall and other individuals required for/involved in essential research should limit their time on campus to the hours required for classroom instruction office hours, and/or research activities if either are being held in person. The University has established detailed policies for on-campus operations for individuals with roles or work designated as “essential.” Visiting and adjunct faculty, postdoctoral scholars and other individuals required for/involved in essential research who are authorized to be on campus will need to comply with University safety policies regarding COVID-19, complete any required training related to those policies, and may be subject to mandatory testing for COVID-19 depending on the nature of their role and amount of time on campus. Amid the uncertainty of the pandemic, please be aware that Brown may need to make adjustments to these guidelines if public health guidance changes. For more information on designated essential roles, visiting and adjunct faculty,  postdoctoral scholars and other individuals required for/involved in essential research should consult their department chair and dean, as well as the FAQ for Staff & Managers, and Faculty.

Requests for required essential on-campus research in the fall 2020 by visiting and adjunct faculty,  postdoctoral scholars and other individuals required for/involved in essential research must be submitted by the department chair/center director to the Research Continuity Committee in the Office of the Vice President for Research via the process outlined on the Resuming Research web page. The University will continue to monitor the evolving circumstances and will provide further guidance and updates to visitors regarding the spring semester as more information becomes available. 

Sincerely, 

Richard M. Locke
Provost