What should I do if I receive an inquiry from a government agency?

Any community member who receives a request for information or a site visit – for instance, pertaining to citizenship status or other information about any Brown community member – from a government regulatory or investigative agency must notify the Office of General Counsel (OGC) immediately at (401) 863-3122. The OGC will determine whether the request or visit is legally valid, coordinate the University’s response, and notify appropriate senior officers. Refer all representatives of regulatory authorities or the government (including attorneys) to the OGC. If a contact from a government agency occurs after hours, call the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (401) 863-4111, and the DPS will notify the OGC.

What should I do if someone tries to serve a summons, subpoena, or other legal notice?

If someone attempts to hand-deliver an official legal document to you, you should inform the individual that you do not have authority to accept service of the document on behalf of the University, and that the document should be taken instead to the OGC, which will determine whether it can be accepted by the University. The OGC is located in South Street Landing at 350 Eddy Street and can be reached at (401) 863-3122.

Whenever official legal documents come into your possession other than hand delivery, you should forward them immediately to the OGC as they typically have short deadlines to respond. Examples include subpoenas requiring the University to produce copies of records in court proceedings and summonses notifying the University that a lawsuit has been commenced against the institution.

Does the University participate in law enforcement investigations of immigration status?

Brown will only share information with law enforcement regarding the immigration status of community members under a valid subpoena. DPS does not inquire about or act on information related to immigration status, and does not partner with federal or state agencies to do so.

What should I do if I become aware that a DACA, undocumented, or international student needs monetary assistance, housing, or other support?

Brown provides multiple sources of support for all students, including DACA, undocumented, and international students. The Seek Support section of the Campus Life website contains comprehensive information on support services and resources available to students. Should unanticipated financial stressors emerge, all students may view potential sources of support for which they may be eligible via UFUNDS, which is Brown’s platform for accepting applications for available funding or other opportunities.

Brown’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) provides resources for students with questions or concerns about their immigration status, ranging from in-person consultations and informational handouts to a list of immigration attorneys and other resources.

The Undocumented, First-Generation and Low-Income Student Center (U-Fli Center) is a communal, learning, and advocacy center for members of the Brown community who identify with the undocumented, first-generation college, and/or low-income student experience. The Undocumented Student Program (USP) of the U-FLi Center provides holistic advising and leadership development support for undocumented students. 

The Global Brown Center for International Students (GBC) develops programming to support and engage the undergraduate and graduate international community. The GBC offers a comfortable space designated for international students and student organizations to gather called the Global Brown Lounge, known among Brown students as "The Globe."