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Message from the Deans

Dear Students,

Living off campus is a privilege which carries with it important responsibilities. If there are complaints about behavior at your residence, you can be moved back on campus and will not be granted off-campus permission again during your enrollment at Brown. In addition to revoking your off-campus permission, the university’s response to violations can include a judicial record at Brown. We expect you to take the ordinances below seriously.

As a Brown student living in an established neighborhood, you represent the University. Your actions and conduct will have an immediate impact on your neighbors and will reflect back upon Brown. This year we have already had some complaints about the behavior of Brown students in neighborhoods surrounding the campus. Some Brown students have received fines from the Providence police and judicial sanctioning at Brown for hosting loud parties. This letter is to remind you of your obligations as residents of Providence and also to make sure that you understand that Brown University, the Department of Public Safety, and the Providence Police Department will all take action if you violate the city ordinances explained below. You can face disciplinary action at the University and legal action from the city if you do not regulate your behavior and the behavior of friends visiting you at your residence.

Undergraduates have lived off campus for many years and our neighbors have usually enjoyed a positive relationship with students. The neighborhoods around Brown have established lifestyles with expectations of reasonable quiet in the evening hours, property maintenance and trash pickup, and general consideration of others.

Students are usually temporary members of a neighborhood, but the quality of life for all residents of a neighborhood can be greatly influenced by the style of living and sense of citizenship exercised by student residents. When students take their neighbors seriously and regard them with respect, the neighborhood becomes a more pleasant place to live for everyone.

Things to keep in mind:

  1. Noise: The City of Providence has a noise ordinance. This noise ordinance stipulates that noise must be greatly reduced between the hours of 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM. The Providence Police and Brown University Police enforce the law and will respond to complaints from your neighbors. Families living in the neighborhoods around our campus have a right to enjoy a reasonable level of peace and quiet, including nights and weekends.
  2. Trash: As a tenant you are responsible for putting out your trash. Oftentimes trash is put out over the weekend causing an unnecessary eyesore and nuisance. The city trash ordinance stipulates that trash cannot be put out before dusk on the day preceding pickup. Violations of the city trash ordinance are punishable by a fine. Be sure to secure your trash so that it doesn’t blow away. Please remove trash containers from the street the same day as your pickup and as soon after the pickup as possible.
  3. Recycling: Your landlord must provide each apartment unit with one blue bin for recycling materials (glass, plastic containers, aluminum cans and newspaper). Your participation in recycling both on and off campus is extremely important. Please be sure to secure your recyclables when you place them at the curb.
  4. Parties: Neighbors on the East Side expect some social activity from students. What they are “against” is late night rowdiness, public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and large groups of people partying outside with loud amplified music late into the night.
  5. Registering your off campus address: The University must have up to date contact information available on file. Please ensure that your student contact information is up to date with the University. Failure to do so will block your Spring Registration Process.

Off-campus parties may be popular, but party hosts are putting themselves in jeopardy when they or their guests act irresponsibly. You assume all the risks associated with state and city laws regulating consumption of alcohol, noise ordinances, and public safety when you sponsor a party at your off-campus apartment. As a Brown University student, you may also be subject to the University’s disciplinary system if a serious incident occurs off campus.

Please remember that the Principles of the Brown University Community and the Standards of Student Conduct apply to students in their off-campus lives. Complaints from our neighbors will result in a Providence Police and/or Brown Police response as well as consideration of University disciplinary action.

Please take the responsibility of representing Brown in the community as a serious one.

Sincerely,

Margaret Klawunn
Vice President for Campus Life & Student Services        

Richard Bova
Senior Associate Dean

J. Allen Ward
Senior Associate Dean