The College

Dean's Notes, Exam Excuses and Incompletes

Occasionally an undergraduate may experience personal, health, or other circumstances that impact their ability to complete academic work. The policies and options available to students vary depending on the nature of the student's situation and the timing and kind of academic work in question.

Conflicts During the Semester

Dean's Notes

Faculty have jurisdiction over academic practices within their courses. However, Deans of the College and Student Support Services may at times provide dean's support notes on behalf of students who are experiencing personal or health circumstances that impact their ability to complete academic work. Students should consult course syllabi and speak with their instructors about their individual circumstances before reaching out to a dean. Students must request notes from a meeting with a dean -- either during the College's academic advising hours or by meeting with a dean in Student Support Services.

Dean's Notes Guidelines

In the unfortunate event that a student has experienced the passing of a loved one, our colleagues in the Student Support Services office can send a bereavement notice to all the student's instructors and their assigned advisor. (The University holds a weekly non-clinical, non-religious Bereavement Group that students may attend at any time.) A student may request that a bereavement notice be sent to their instructors by writing to StudentSupport@brown.edu.  

During the Finals Period

Exams and Other Kinds of Assessments