We recognize that there is no “right” mindset for returning to campus, and each person will react to being back at Brown in their own way. Some students may feel ready and eager to return, while others may feel anxious, distracted or unsure — and all of those responses are normal. We don't expect students to have all of the answers in the first few weeks, because we know that adjustment and healing take time. Recovery is a gradual process. Some students may experience a delayed reaction, such as difficulty with concentration or motivation, as they get more deeply immersed in classes and activities on campus. A broad range of resources are available to support students both immediately and throughout the semester. Detailed information and specific supports are outlined on the Brown Ever True Roadmap to Recovery website.

The University has increased police and security staffing and expanded patrols, supported through ongoing coordination with local and federal law enforcement agencies. We also have implemented physical security enhancements that directly affect academic and administrative facilities, as well as residential life. This includes expanded card-access systems, integrated cameras at blue light phones, installing additional security cameras in key areas, and expanded panic buttons in key locations. This work is supported by an expedited physical security review of all Brown-controlled buildings, including residence halls, which will continue to inform ongoing enhancements to academic and residential spaces. More detailed information is available on the Brown Security and Access Updates FAQs webpage.

Brown is deeply committed to advancing students’ educational experiences and academic goals. This semester, we recognize that students’ needs may vary widely in the wake of the tragic acts of violence on Brown’s campus on Dec. 13, 2025. Neither the path nor the pace of recovery is the same for everyone, and our approach to academic support will continue to be grounded in the flexibility embedded in Brown’s Open Curriculum.

Our strategy for academic support this semester emphasizes early advising conversations, normalizing the spectrum of emotional responses, and promoting early intervention for students to adjust their schedules, grading options or workload, as needed. The University will continue to maintain its rigorous academic standards and expectations while strategically supporting students to access the range of resources that are available.

Detailed information on academic support is available on the Academic Support FAQs page on the College website.

A wide range of support services are available to Brown students. 

• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides confidential, individual psychotherapy, medication management and crisis services. The first appointment at CAPS is a triage designed to help students create a treatment plan. To schedule an appointment, students can call CAPS at 401-863-3476. CAPS also accepts walk-ins for crisis appointments at 450 Brook St. In addition, students have access to the CAPS on Demand 24/7 crisis service. To access CAPS On Demand, students can call 401-863-3476 and follow the prompts.
• Student Support Services (SSS) provides strengths-based case management support to students who may be in distress or in need of support. During individual meetings, deans provide education, guidance and connection to appropriate resources on campus and in the Providence community. Students can contact SSS at studentsupport@brown.edu or by calling  401-863-3145 to schedule a meeting in person or over Zoom. Families can submit a care referral for their students if they have concerns about their well-being by visiting the Student Support Services website or calling the office at 401-863-3145.
• The Administrator on Call (AOC) is also available to support all Brown undergraduate, graduate and medical students who need immediate assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Students can access the AOC by calling 401-863-3322 and asking to speak with the Administrator on Call.
• For students seeking community-based support, Brown’s Division of Campus Life offers a network of identity and cultural centers. For students seeking spiritual support, the Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life provides confidential pastoral care and spiritual support for students of all religious and non-religious backgrounds. All of the Division of Campus Life centers, departments and offices offer spaces for belonging, peer mentoring and holistic personal development.
• Additional information on support resources for Brown students during times of crisis is available on the Division of Campus Life website.

No. These Brown resources are available for all students at any time. 

• For urgent support at any time, students and parents can contact the Administrator on Call (AOC), which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 401-863-3322. The AOC is staffed by professionals in the Division of Campus Life, who can help coordinate immediate support, connect students with resources and respond to urgent concerns.
• For emergency medical care, students should call 911 or contact the Brown Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management at 401-863-4111.
• For urgent mental health consultation, CAPS on Demand is a 24/7 crisis service that is accessed by calling 401-863-3476 and following the prompts.
• Additional information on support resources for Brown students during times of crisis is available on the Division of Campus Life website.

CAPS understands that students’ needs will evolve over time, and its team of professionals is attentive to that fact. CAPS is ensuring that there is adequate staffing to support students. The University is also partnering with Family Service of Rhode Island to expand the number of clinicians on site to support students.  Additionally, students will continue to have access to TimelyCare, a telehealth platform that serves as an extension of the services at CAPS.  To learn more about TimelyCare, please visit TimelyCare.com/Brown.

CAPS is also collaborating with various offices within Health & Wellness and across the University to create opportunities for non-clinical community-building engagements in which students can connect with each other. Examples of non-clinical community engagements include workshops, pet assisted therapy and ear acupuncture.    

Brown is also offering training opportunities for community members to support impacted students. Those programs include Psychological Health First Aid for staff and faculty and Resilience After for student leaders.

Brown provides teletherapy options for students through TimelyCare. In addition to scheduled therapy sessions through that service, students also have 24/7 access to a library of digital self-care resources. TimelyCare is free to all enrolled students. To access TimelyCare, students will need to register on the platform. More information about TimelyCare can be found at TimelyCare.com/Brown.

For students who are studying abroad and are experiencing a non life threatening emergency or are in need of medical assistance, including mental health resources, call International SOS at +1-215-942-8478. The group membership number for Brown students abroad is 11BSGC000031.

Student Health Services provides confidential, 24/7 nursing advice. Students can call 401-863-3953 to reach these services. For emergency medical care, students should contact the Brown Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management at 401-863-4111.

Student Support Services maintains close contact with individuals in student-facing roles across Campus Life, academic offices, athletics, the Graduate School, and the School of Professional Studies, including through daily and weekly meetings. Staff take a proactive and coordinated approach to identifying concerns early, developing outreach strategies and collaborating across departments to ensure that students are connected with the right resources at the right time. Any member of the Brown community, including family members, can complete a Care Referral if they are concerned about a student. 

SSS staff members have been assisting the entire Brown community and will continue to conduct outreach to students who were known to be in close physical or social proximity to the events of Dec. 13, 2025, to ensure awareness of available resources. 

The Office of Parent and Family Engagement is the dedicated point of connection between the University and students’ families. We see families as partners in supporting our students. If a parent or family member is worried about a student or unsure what the next step should be, we encourage them to reach out to family@brown.edu, or submit a Care Referral with Student Support Services. For immediate safety concerns, they should contact Brown’s Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management at 401-863-4111.

Students can request disability-based academic accommodations for their courses by contacting Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at sas@brown.edu or 401-863-9588.