Division of Campus Life
Residential Life

About

Learn about our priorities, programs, staff, and how to be in touch with us!

At Brown, we recognize that a large part of personal growth and development inevitably takes place outside of the classroom. This is the result of intentional programs and services as well as myriad interpersonal interactions with members of the Brown community. As such, living on campus is critically important to the overall Brown experience. Students benefit from guidance and support from their interconnected community of peer scholars as well as several peer counselors and Master's-prepared professional staff who live in the residence halls to create a vibrant living and learning environment.

Residency Requirement

In order to benefit fully from Brown's exceptional learning environment, undergraduates are required to live in on-campus housing through semester 6. Exceptions to Brown’s residential policy are granted in 12-month increments to Resumed Undergraduate Education (RUE) students, married students living with their spouse locally, and students living with their parent(s) locally. Undergraduate students who fall into these categories and intend to live off-campus must complete a non-resident intent form and submit supporting documentation.

Our Mission

The Office of Residential Life creates a meaningful, holistic residential experience where students can share a sense of belonging to the Brown community, practice and expand what they are learning in their course of study, be supported in the development of healthy practices, and cultivate connections with their fellow students. The Office of Residential Life advances inclusive communities that promote student growth, wellness, and development to support a holistic residential student experience.  

Our Work

Staff members in the Office of Residential Life...

  • Provide educational programs and support to promote student learning and holistic development -- from New Student Orientation, to residence hall councils and programming, to the BLOC good neighbor program for students who choose to move off campus toward the end of their Brown journey;

  • Select, train, and supervise over 250 paraprofessional student staff members who create engaging and respectful campus environments that enhance the student experience;

  • Facilitate the daily operations and renewal/renovations of 47 residence halls housing students throughout the academic year, Summer Session and Wintersession;  

  • Manage all aspects of housing assignments, early-arrivals, break housing, extended housing, and off-campus permissions;

  • Facilitate housing accommodations in conjunction with Student Accessibility Services (SAS); and

  • Participate in a year-round 24-7 on-call emergency-response rotation to provide crisis and after hours support to all Brown students.