The Brown University Graduate Student Council invites all graduate students (incoming and returning) to the first social of Fall ’21. As always, graduate students (with valid Brown IDs) and their one guest will be provided with appetizers, 2 drink tickets, a DJ, and great company.
Come ready to have a good time with your fellow grad students as the school year officially kicks off, and email GSC_VPSocial@brown.edu if you have any questions!
When the University announced its student COVID-19 vaccination requirement in April 2021, we promised to share additional information over the summer on implementing the requirement. We write today with a series of updates. These include information about the timeline and process for requesting an exemption, an Aug. 1 vaccination deadline for Fall 2021 students, and information about health measures for the fall.
These updates apply to all undergraduate and graduate students at Brown who will be on campus or engage in any level of in-person instruction, whether in the U.S. or abroad. Leaders at the Warren Alpert Medical School will continue to communicate directly with Brown’s medical students. As has been the case since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to monitor public health guidance and provide updates if the pandemic prompts any need to adjust or add to these plans.
STUDENT VACCINATION DEADLINES: JULY 1 (SUMMER) AND AUGUST 1 (FALL)
As the University communicated in May, all Brown students engaged in on-campus activities this summer — education, jobs, research, or engaging in any in-person education or work with other Brown employees, students or visitors — were required to receive the final dose of their COVID-19 vaccine by July 1, 2021. We are pleased to have reached a 95% vaccination rate among these students — any remaining students should upload their vaccination cards as soon as possible.
For the Fall 2021 semester, Brown will require COVID-19 vaccines for all students who will be on campus or engage in any level of in-person instruction, whether in the U.S. or abroad. To achieve near-universal vaccination before fall semester activities begin, we are requiring all students to receive their final dose and upload their vaccination card by Aug. 1, 2021.
Detailed instructions on how to upload your vaccination card are available at http://brown.edu/go/verify. For students receiving a two-dose vaccination, please upload your card once the first COVID shot is received and the completed vaccination card once the second shot is received.
MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION REQUESTS DUE JULY 15
Students may request a medical or religious exemption to Brown’s student vaccination requirement. To do so, contact University Health Services at nursing@health.brown.edu to request an exemption form, and complete and submit that exemption form for review by Thursday, July 15.
Requests for medical exemptions will be reviewed by University Health Services clinicians, and decisions will be based on science and on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Rhode Island Department of Health guidelines. For any request denials, the student will be notified as to why it was declined with scientific citation / CDC guidance supporting the decision. There will be no appeals. Requests for religious exemptions will be reviewed by University Health Services as well.
All questions about exemptions for students should be directed to University Health Services at nursing@health.brown.edu.
FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: VACCINATION GUIDELINES AND RULES FOR VACCINE INTERCHANGEABILITY
To satisfy Brown’s vaccination requirement, students must submit documentation of a COVID-19 vaccine for which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (FDA-EUA) or a COVID-19 vaccine for which the World Health Organization has issued an Emergency Use Listing (WHO-EUL).
For international students vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines not authorized in the U.S., Brown has established requirements for accepting international vaccinations that closely follow CDC guidelines, as well as protocols for interchangeability of vaccines. International students vaccinated with non-FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccines may revaccinate with FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccines 28 days after their last vaccination.
While students who are unvaccinated with FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccines will be able to schedule vaccination upon their arrival to campus, they will be required to adhere to Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) quarantine guidance, including quarantine for seven days with a negative COVID test result on Day 5. Students are strongly encouraged to factor this quarantine period into their travel plans and recognize that they will be unable to participate in any in-person activities until the completion of this period. In addition, until they are 14 days past their final dose of an FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccine, they will also be required to wear masks indoors when with other people and outdoors if unable to maintain 3 feet of social distance.
These guidelines for receiving international vaccinations apply to all students who will be on Brown’s campus or participating in a Brown-administered program. Additional details are available on the Healthy Brown website: https://healthy.brown.edu/vaccinations/eligibility
FALL 2021 CAMPUS ARRIVAL PROTOCOLS
Quarantine and Isolation: Given the expectation that Brown will achieve a near-universal vaccination rate among students and employees, plans at this time are for no formal Quiet Period for the greater Brown student population. Individuals who have received an FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccine will not be required to observe a travel quarantine, but may be required to take a COVID test on Day 5 following their arrival.
Unvaccinated travelers — or those who received a non-FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccine — will be required to quarantine for seven days and take a COVID test on Day 5. Students are strongly encouraged to factor this quarantine period into their travel plans and recognize that they will be unable to participate in any in-person activities until the completion of this period. In addition, until they are 14 days past their final dose of an FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccine, they will also be required to wear masks indoors when with other people and outdoors if unable to maintain 3 feet of social distance.
Required Health Measures for Students with Approved Exemptions: Unvaccinated students who have approved exemptions will not be excluded from campus. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on an individual basis and generally, unvaccinated students will be required to wear a mask when in public settings and within indoor classrooms and outdoors whenever physical distancing of at least 3 feet cannot be maintained. The University is still assessing whether unvaccinated students will be enrolled in asymptomatic COVID testing.
On-Campus and Local Vaccination Clinics: Students who are unable to access a COVID-19 vaccine or who are vaccinated with non-FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccines will be able to access the vaccine soon after arrival at Brown either on campus or at local vaccination clinics. Those who do not have approved exemptions and are not planning for or in the process of vaccination or revaccination will not be permitted to access campus.
We are excited to welcome students back for the Fall 2021 semester and look forward to returning to more traditional in-person operations. We ask that any questions regarding the information shared here be directed to University Health Services at nursing@health.brown.edu.
Best regards,
Eric Estes, Ph.D Vice President for Campus Life and Student Services
Andrew G. Campbell, Ph.D. Dean of the Graduate School
Vanessa Britto, M.D., M.Sc., FACP Associate Vice President for Campus Life
Graduate Student Council – Master’s Advocacy Chair We are looking to fill a position on the Graduate Student Council. Master’s Advocacy Chair is involved in representing the Masters Student Body and speak on behalf of the needs and issues that the Masters Students at Brown University are facing. In addition to the description of the position included at this link, the Masters Advocacy Chair will also be involved in overseeing the Produce Initiative to provide fresh produce to Graduate Students in need. This position is a single semester term. All Graduate Student Council members are given an honorarium per semester for their work in the council. See Position Description & Responsibilities
Please contact the current Master’s Advocacy Chair Brielle Scuteri at this email if you are interested: brielle_scuteri@brown.edu
On Campus Job Opportunity The Graduate Student Council (GSC) Produce Initiative Assistant will work closely with GSC leadership to manage the list of graduate students who have signed up for the produce initiative each week. The Assistant will coordinate with Dining Services to create a distribution plan for the weekly produce students will pick up. The Assistant will staff the pick up location each week and manage the daily operations. They will also coordinate, potentially with other GSC members, the student list each week and send the updated student numbers each week to Dining Services on the prior Thursday.
This is an onsite position that begins immediately through August 31, 2021. For a full list of requirements and to apply, students can access the job posting via Workday. REQ: REQ169875
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Brittany Leclerc, brittany_leclerc@brown.edu, from the Graduate School for assistance.
The Summer 2021 COVID Fellowships will provide $2,000 to any PhD or MFA student whose stipends for June, July, and August total less than $9,126. The fellowships are intended to support continued progress toward completion of the degree and can be used to support research or conference travel, as long as that travel is approved by the University.
Eligibility: All stipended PhD and MFA students, including those on COVID Appointment Extensions, whose stipend for June, July, and August totals less than $9,126.
Apply: A brief application will be available in UFunds (https://ufunds.brown.edu/) under “Graduate School COVID-19 Summer Positions”
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.
Graduate Library Advisory Committee (Social sciences and humanities students)
The Graduate Library Advisory Committee facilitates direct dialogue between graduate students and library staff (subject librarians) pertaining to graduate student needs. Topics include the effectiveness of current library collections, services and spaces and suggestions for improvement. Meeting times and frequency are set by committee members, looking for a graduate student in the social sciences. More info & apply here
Brown University Community Council
The Brown University Community Council (BUCC) serves as a university-wide representative forum for discussion, debate, and advisory recommendations on a wide spectrum of issues and concerns. It may, at its discretion, consider and advance questions of University community policy, the governing of the University, and issues related to the overall welfare of the University; and to make recommendations regarding any such matters to the appropriate decision-making bodies of the University or to the appropriate officers of the University.
Graduate students on the committee serve a two-year term. The BUCC meets three times per semester. More information & apply here
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 . 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. More info & apply here
Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Board
The Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Board (DIOB) serves to strengthen and streamline oversight of diversity and inclusion initiatives. The DIOB assesses progress related to goals set forth in the university-wide Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP).
In order to achieve its goal, the DIOB has a variety of charges:
Meeting regularly with the Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity along with ex-officio members to review and comment on early iterations of the annual DIAP report
Inviting senior leaders to DIOB meetings to discuss progress and opportunities related to specific goals (i.e. the Dean of the Faculty, the Dean of Admissions, the Office of Institutional Research, the Provost)
Reviewing the ‘monitoring progress’ webpage and ensuring current data is populated and available to the Brown community
Annually author a memo to the president and provost highlighting key areas that require the University’s close attention as it pertains to DIAP initiatives
Graduate students on DIOB serve a flexible term, with a minimum of a one-year commitment. Both Master’s and PhD students are represented on the Board
This exceptionally important committee determines the budget allocations of the university for the following fiscal year.
The committee will meet from 3-5pm on Mondays from September thru the first week of December with a possible lunch meeting on Friday, December 7th. The committee will then end with a final short meeting in late January to approve the report followed by a small reception to thank them for their work. That’s about 25 hours in meetings. The term runs for 2 years.
The committee members do not have to prepare for the meetings. However, they are sometimes asked to review materials in advance which can take about 15 to 45 minutes depending on the topic.
Charge: a. The Committee shall serve to review, to analyze, and to offer recommendations to the President on all budgetary plans, proposals, and priorities, both current and future, affecting the University. b. The Committee shall be responsible for maintaining a level of awareness of budgetary matters throughout the University that will encourage the development of informed opinions and the articulation and discussion of issues. c. The Committee shall review, analyze and make recommendations regarding the allocation of University resources for the coming fiscal year and for long-range plans developed by the administration or by other duly constituted committees. d. The Committee will conduct its business in closed session. The Committee will, however, host University-wide forums as necessary and appropriate to allow the Committee to hear the concerns and priorities of the University community. e. The Committee shall, at appropriate points during the preparation of the University budget, report in written form to the President its analysis and its policy recommendations concerning the allocation of resources within the University.
