Hello Students,

As we move closer to the conclusion of another spring semester at Brown, I wanted to take a moment to share some exciting news about what’s on the horizon to enhance your residential experience for the 2023-2024 academic year.

New Residences and Renewal Updates

In partnership with the Facilities Management (FM) division, we are excited to open the doors to two new residential buildings--Chen Family Hall (250 Brook Street) and Danoff Hall (259 Brook Street)--adding 351 additional beds to our housing inventory.  The buildings will also house our newest theme communities - Sustainability, Interfaith, and Civic Engagement. Additional information about the Brook Street residence halls can be found on our website. 

We are also pleased to share another project with FM - Graduate Center renewal.  This summer, Graduate Center C will be taken offline for renovations that will enhance the residential experience for students living there. All common area kitchens will be redesigned, creating more open space to gather together for a meal or simply to be in community with one another. Bathrooms en suite will receive upgrades - new flooring, fixtures and longer doors to create greater privacy in the restroom. The other Graduate Center Towers will receive similar updates over the next few years. A mock-up of the renovations will be displayed in our office (Graduate Center E) if you would like to get a sneak peek of the changes. 

Future of Laundry

At the start of the spring semester, we announced that laundry services would continue to be complimentary, and continue for the upcoming academic year.  We are pleased to share that students will not be charged for laundry services for the foreseeable future. We will be introducing a new mobile application to make your use of the laundry machines easier to manage.  The app will allow you to see what machines are available for use, as well as track how much time remains on the machines you are using. You will also be able to submit service requests directly from your phone, and link to resources to learn about the proper use of the machines. The app will also allow you to activate a machine without the use of your ID card and the laundry kiosk.

Dining Enhancements

In addition to the exciting changes in Residential Life, Dining Services is embarking on a few new initiatives that you should be aware of. The University has begun construction in the Sharpe Refectory to create a new Kosher Kitchen; a dedicated, enhanced Halal Station, and an Allergy-Friendly Kitchen. Both the Kosher Kitchen and Halal Station come as part of Brown’s commitment to supporting community-building among students who represent a wide range of religious identities and cultural backgrounds. We know that the shared experience of gathering for meals is tremendously important in creating connections among community members.

The Allergy-Friendly Kitchen will be located on the main level of Sharpe Refectory, designed to prepare and serve fresh meals for students with food allergies and other specific dietary requirements. All meals prepared in the kitchen will be free of the nine most common food allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy, fish, shellfish, soy, sesame and gluten. This facility is a full kitchen that will include separate cookware, utensils, pots, pans and designated cooking equipment. These projects will be complete for the start of the 2023-2024 academic year. 

We hope that you are as excited as we are about these enhancements,which are a direct result of your feedback about ways the University can enhance your experience and strengthen your connection to the Brown community.  If you have any questions about what we’ve shared, please contact us at res_life@brown.edu.

Best,

Dean Brenda Ice
Office of Residential Life