Health Survey
New air purifiers in the Grad Lounge
In an effort to ensure safety of graduate students when indoors during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the GSC has worked with the School of Public Health to install 3 Corsi-Rosenthal Cubes in the Grad Lounge to provide filtered air:
You are welcome to run these filters while you use the space, and are encouraged to leave the exterior doors propped open if comfortable. Please turn off the cubes when you are done and treat them with the same care you do for other communal resources. While you can rearrange them, please do so carefully and do not remove them from the Lounge. If you would like more information about these cubes or how to build your own, please see this FAQ.
Open University Committee Positions – Apply Today!
The Grad Student Council is looking for graduate students to serve on University committees for the coming academic year. It’s a great way to get involved and build that “service” section of your CV. Details about openings and links to apply are below.
We’ll review applications on a rolling basis, so if you’re interested get your applications in soon! Email the Chair of Nominations with any questions.
Grad Student Faculty Meeting Observers
This is an important and interesting opportunity to watch faculty communicate about a variety of issues and understand a broader perspective on university structure and function. Graduate student observers also bring back issues to the GSC when needed. This is a nonspeaking role at the meetings (though the current Chair of the Faculty says “Students do not have voting privileges, but they are welcome to participate in discussions” so there may be opportunity to offer input). Regardless, student observers provide valuable information to the GSC about the current line of thought of the faculty and receive an interesting look at faculty governance for anyone interested in an academic career.
Student Conduct Board
The Student Conduct Board, comprised of students, faculty, and deans or administrators, hears matters involving prohibited conduct that may result in separation from the University and/or a transcript remark. Cases before the Student Conduct Board may involve serious prohibited conduct in a single incident or a persistent pattern of less severe prohibited conduct.
Honorary Degree Committee
𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. This committee operates at the very beginning of the fall semester, so the position must be filled well in advance. The Advisory Committee on Honorary Degrees seeks nominations for honorary degrees from faculty and students and prepares a list of candidates for honorary degrees during the fall semester each year and submits it to the Board of Fellows for consideration.
Title IX Council
The Title IX Council is comprised of undergraduates, graduate and medical students, staff, and faculty members, and is housed within Brown’s Title IX and Gender Equity office. The Council is a pool from which panels of three members will be created. The panel’s role is to analyze the investigation report and, if necessary, convene with the investigator and/or parties to determine whether there is sufficient information to support a finding of responsibility for various alleged policy violations. If there is a policy violation, the panel will also determine an appropriate sanction.
Information about Free Tests and Masks
Given the unprecedented current caseload of COVID-19 in Rhode Island and globally, we want to make you aware of multiple options for procuring free tests and high-quality masks. This information is available under COVID-19 > Resources > Tests and Masks and will be updated with additional information as available. Please also consult the latest updates at Healthy Brown and contact Health Services with any medical concerns.
Free Tests
1) Brown University Local Distribution
Rapid antigen test kits and KN95 masks will be available to Brown students, faculty and staff for pick-up at Alumnae Hall and One Davol Square. You must have your Brown ID card with you to pick up supplies. Each community member will be given two (2) rapid antigen tests and a pack of ten (10) KN95 masks.
2) U.S. Government Mail Distribution
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests online. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
3) Insurance Reimbursement of Locally-Purchased Tests
Starting January 15, most people with a health plan can go online, or to a pharmacy or store to purchase an at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 rapid antigen diagnostic test authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at no cost, either through reimbursement or free of charge through their insurance. Maximum reimbursement is 8 tests per month at $12 per test ($24 for a 2-pack).
The SHIP provided by UHCSR allows you to get at-home COVID-19 tests at no upfront cost if purchased at an in-store Walmart Pharmacy or in-store Rite Aid Pharmacy counter with your health insurance member ID card. For tests purchased at any other in-store or online retailer, you must submit a receipt for reimbursement online at uhcsr.com/MyAccount along with the completion of a reimbursement form.
4) State-Run Testing Sites
Schedule a free test for yourself or a dependent child at a State-run COVID-19 test site. All Rhode Islanders can schedule a test online at portal.ri.gov or by calling 401-222-8022. You do not need an appointment to get tested at a mobile test site in your community.
Massachusetts Residents: Testing for COVID-19 is widely available in Massachusetts. Find a testing location near you. You are also eligible to get free PCR tests by mail through a state-sponsored program with Labcorp – visit this website for details.
Free Masks
1) Brown University Local Distribution
Rapid antigen test kits and KN95 masks will be available to Brown students, faculty and staff for pick-up at Alumnae Hall and One Davol Square. You must have your Brown ID card with you to pick up supplies. Each community member will be given two (2) rapid antigen tests and a pack of ten (10) KN95 masks.
2) U.S. Government Local Distribution (Coming Soon)
The Biden administration will make 400 million N95 masks available to Americans for free starting next week, a White House official told CNN, the latest federal step aimed at reining in the US’ Covid-19 surge. The masks — which are coming from the Strategic National Stockpile — will be made available at a number of local pharmacies and community health centers, the official said, adding that the program will be “fully up and running by early February.” “This is the largest deployment of personal protective equipment in US history,” the official said. People looking to pick up the free masks will be limited to three per person, a White House official said.
Distinguished Speaker Series Fall ’21
On Saturday, December 11, 2021 (5:00PM) join the Brown Graduate Student Council (GSC) for the 3nd Annual Distinguished Speaker Series featuring Jonny Sun.
Please RSVP here – bit.ly/gscjonnysun for the zoom link and to submit your questions.
Jonny will be attending virtually but the event will be broadcasted at a venue on a big screen (tentatively LIST 120). You’ll get to ask your questions/thoughts yourself to Jonny on zoom if you consent on the form. You can also ask a moderator to ask your question for you. Hope to see you there as we wrap our Fall semester!”