Student Life
What goes on outside of the studio is just as important as what goes on inside. We encourage our students to attend supervised weekend and evening trips to explore Providence and beyond. You will also have freedom to explore the RISD neighborhood—and all that Providence has to offer—on your own.
Housing
Most students opt to live on campus in the residence halls. Residence Life provides safe and inclusive social activities throughout the five weeks. Live-in professional staff and student resident advisors (RAs) supervise the residence halls as well as mentor and support you along the way.
Students will have the opportunity to live in single-sex rooms within mixed-gender floors, gender-inclusive floors, and single-gender floors. Single, double, and triple rooms are available. You will be able to indicate your preference in the housing application, although preference is not guaranteed. If you’re interested in gender-inclusive housing options, email the Residence Life office at precollegehousing@risd.edu. Once accepted, you’ll receive instructions on how to complete the online housing application.
If you need specific housing accommodations due to medical or religious needs, you’ll be asked to fill out a request through Disability Support Services or Equity & Compliance. Additional documentation, such as a letter from your physician, may be requested at the time of submission.
Residential students are expected to remain on campus for the duration of the program with the exception of an approved “Weekend Away.” These must be approved through the Housing Portal before the program starts. An approved “Weekend Away” does not give you approval to miss class.
If you have any other questions regarding Pre-College housing, contact the Residence Life office at precollegehousing@risd.edu.
Learn more about Pre-College Housing
Roommates
One of the most valuable parts of the Pre-College experience is making new connections. To nurture new friendships, roommates are assigned based on the lifestyle preferences shared in your housing application. We do not give the option of requesting a specific roommate. Due to the short nature of the program, room change requests will not be available.
Cars on campus
Students living in the residence halls may not operate motor vehicles (including scooters and motorcycles) while in residence on campus.
Commuting
If you choose to commute, you’ll need to balance home life and your studies. At the same time, you’ll want to develop new friendships and be an engaged member of the RISD community. We encourage you to take part in all Pre-College events and weekend trips. You may visit residential students and work in the common work spaces in the residence halls (following visitor guidelines). Commuting students must leave the RISD campus before the Residence Life curfew time.
Parents/guardians and students are responsible for arranging transportation to and from RISD. On-street parking is available but can be limited around RISD’s campus. If no on-street parking is available, you may park in garages or municipal lots nearby. RISD parking permits are not available to students.
Any student living off campus must be housed with a responsible adult over the age of 18 for the duration of the program. Students found to be living without a responsible adult are required to make alternative arrangements to rectify the situation within 24 hours. Commuting students who are unable to make suitable living arrangements for the duration of the program may be dismissed. Parents/guardians are solely responsible for their student and their student’s actions while off campus. RISD will not provide supervision of these students off campus.
Commuting students receive a 25-meal dining plan and are able to purchase additional meals on a cash basis. Contact Dining with your questions at 401-454-6642.
Lockers in some academic buildings are assigned by priority to instructors and commuting students. Students are required to bring their own lock for use. The Pre-College Summer Office can provide students with the location and availability of lockers near their class.
Students who live off campus are subject to the academic policies and Pre-College Code of Conduct at all times, including when they are off campus (as is true for students who live on campus).
Dining
Using the freshest ingredients, RISD’s Dining and Catering professionals serve nutritious and delicious meal options. Our team serves dishes that reflect our community and highlight ingredients sourced from New England. At the Metcalf Refectory (or simply, “The Met”) you can enjoy vegetarian and vegan specials, globally inspired entrées, special-diet meals, an artisan pizza oven, and homemade desserts and pastries.
The full dining contract is required for all residential students. The commuter cost includes a 25-meal dining plan.
If you have further questions about dining plans, contact Dining at 401 454-6642.
Health and wellness
The following campus services are available to support your overall health and wellness whenever you need it.
Fitness center
The Catanzaro Student Fitness Center is home to two cardio and weight rooms, two group fitness rooms, space to stretch, locker rooms, and more. Use of fitness center facilities requires a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Health Services
Health Services is a medical clinic staffed by nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, and office administrators. Health Services is an ambulatory care setting (i.e. sick visits and minor injuries). Routine medical care is not provided to Pre-College students (i.e. physical exams and medical screenings) unless to support a chronic medical condition while present on campus. Health Services is available to all RISD Pre-College students and is included in the Health Services Fee paid with tuition. This fee allows all Pre-College students to receive medical care from Health Services, regardless of personal insurance. However, a US-based health insurance plan is required to attend as this is needed for any medical services received outside of Health Services. This includes laboratory testing, x-rays, prescriptions, and emergency care.
RISD requires vaccinations that align with the requirements of the Rhode Island Department of Health. For the health and safety of our students, all health records and vaccinations must be completed prior to arrival on campus or dismissal from the program may occur.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Therapists at RISD’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) are available to meet for individual counseling (parent/guardian consent is required if you’re under age 18). CAPS can also provide emergency evaluations, urgent assessment, and triage for Pre-College students experiencing a psychological emergency. If off-campus care is needed or desired, Pre-College therapists can help you connect to local mental health resources. While CAPS does not offer psychiatric medication management services during the summer, CAPS staff can share referral recommendations for local medication providers if needed.
For parents and guardians
To support a healthy environment during the program, we recommend you review the following considerations with your student and/or health care providers:
- Stay current with all medications, treatment, and self-care practices as prescribed by the student’s healthcare professional.
- Make a plan on how your student will successfully manage their own medications. This may include working with outside health care providers or pharmacies, local to RISD, to provide additional support.
- If your student is currently engaged in a therapeutic relationship, maintain those relationships and/or contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) to arrange for counseling sessions during the program.
- Create a proactive plan for managing new stressors and when/how to seek support if needed.
Students are responsible for any transportation costs to clinicians off-campus, as well as any psychological services received off-campus. For more information, contact CAPS at counseling@risd.edu or 401 454-6637.
Disability Support Services
The Disability Support Services (DSS) office assists students who have cognitive (learning), psychological, physical, and chronic medical disabilities. If you need accommodations to participate in any class, program, or event, contact Disability Support Services before submitting your application. They can share what accommodations can and cannot be provided during the program. Students should reach out as early as possible to ensure accommodations are in place before your first day of class. Modifications cannot be made to the program structure, academic requirements, or course curriculum.
The Pre-College accommodation request process differs from the K–12 accommodation process. In K–12 schools, parents/guardians are often the primary advocates for students, and teachers may approach students if they suspect a disability. However, in Pre-College, it is the student who is responsible for self-identifying and contacting Disability Support Services. The student must provide documentation for eligibility and request accommodations for each class before the program starts.
Disability Support Services will meet with you to discuss the request. If approved, they will develop an accommodation letter based on your documentation. Once approved, you will receive a letter or email outlining the accommodations. You will need to communicate with each instructor about how the accommodations will work for each class. You will also be given the option to have letters sent to your instructors by Pre-College staff. Accommodations cannot be made retroactively.
Contact Disability Support Services by email at disabilitysupportservices@risd.edu, or phone at 401 709-8465.
Neighborhood
Known as Rhode Island's "Creative Capital," Providence has a thriving arts scene, great restaurants, historic architecture, and plenty of green space. Its relaxed pace and walkable scale make it easy to get to know.
On weekend field trips, you’ll have the chance to discover all Providence has to offer, including museums, art galleries, and RISD’s very own beach at Tillinghast Place.
Public Safety
RISD’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) works with the Providence Police and Brown University Police departments to maintain a safe campus environment and support the educational mission of the college. You can find them patrolling campus on foot, bike, and in distinctively marked cruisers. Members of RISD’s Public Safety team—also trained as EMTs—work 24/7 to maintain a safe environment.
Hear from our team
As a Pre-College student at RISD, you’ll be supported throughout by knowledgeable staff dedicated to helping you make the most of your experience.
In the videos below, you’ll hear from two members of our team: Noah Frase, a Pre-College alum who recalls firsthand how the program prepared him for both college and his career as an illustrator; and Associate Director for Student and Operational Success Kristina Byrne, who points out the resources you’ll find here to help guide and support you.