Residential Life

Designing a Living Experience as Unique as Our Curriculum

The open curriculum gives our students the right to choose, the right to fail, and—above all—the freedom to direct their own educations. For more than forty years, this independence has defined Brown's place in the landscape of undergraduate education. In turn, we are committed to providing a residential life experience that mirrors the educational one.

Creating a Community

At the heart of this extensive overhaul of our residential living system is the creation of two first-year-only housing areas: Keeney Quad and Pembroke Residence Halls. When completed, all first-years will live in small, close-knit “units” in two-person (double) rooms complemented by communal lounge areas and small kitchens where students can prepare snacks and enjoy informal gatherings.

Supporting Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

After listening to our students, we designed a program and facilities that fit Brown and build on our unique undergraduate curriculum.
— Margaret Klawunn, vice president for campus life & student services

Sophomores—frequently housed in widely-scattered areas across campus—will now be consolidated on central-campus with appropriate advising and other programmatic support. Refurbishing Hope College and Hegeman Hall will yield single rooms as well as doubles and reclaim space for study and lounge areas and seminar rooms.

Juniors and seniors typically look beyond the boundaries of College Hill and their independence is reflected in their housing choices—singles, suites, and apartment-style living. To support them, we are renovating 315 Thayer Street to yield 14 suites, adding roughly 60 beds.

A Brown Hallmark

Investing in the Residential Life Project is an opportunity to ensure that the Brown undergraduate living experience continues to be a distinctive hallmark of a Brown education.  For more information, please contact Anne Carlson at +1 (401) 863-6766.