Arrival Guide

New England weather can be unpredictable. Our summers can be very hot and humid, and we sometimes get heavy rain. Pack lightweight clothing, a windbreaker or jacket, walking shoes, and an umbrella or raincoat. Bring clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty as you work with messy materials such as charcoal.
 

Bring debit/credit cards for personal or supply purchases you may need to make while here. RISD cannot cash checks. ATMs are available within walking distance of RISD, in the RISD Store and The Met dining hall. You may also choose to open a prepaid RISD Bucks debit account. RISD Bucks offers a convenient and safe way to pay for printing, laundry, and items at the RISD Store.

Below is a list of items you must provide, along with a list of suggested items that past students have told us they were glad to have brought with them.

Required items:

• Sheets (custom, extra-long 80" twin)*
• Pillows
• Pillowcases*
• Blankets*
• Towels*
• Alarm clock
• Smartphone with a U.S. number

Suggested items:

• Refillable water bottle
• Mattress pad
• Desk lamp (halogen lamps are not allowed)
• Fan
• Comfortable walking shoes (there are many hills in Providence!)
• Flip-flops/shower sandals
• Shower caddy
• Sunscreen
• Key chain
• Earplugs (the city can be noisy)
• Hangers

*If you would prefer, bedding and linen rentals and a laundry service can be arranged through E&R Campus Laundry. You can sign up for the service ahead of time (select “RISD Summer School”), and E&R Campus Laundry will also be present on Check-In Day. 

Each of your three studio courses will have its own supply list, while your Critical Studies in Art course requires only a textbook. Supply lists will be available approximately two weeks before the first day of classes, published to each course’s Canvas homepage.  Certain supplies may be used in multiple courses and appear on multiple supply lists. These items only need to be purchased once.

We’ve compiled a general supply list that includes the most commonly required items for the Foundations courses. A pre-assembled Supply Starter Kit containing these items is available for purchase from the RISD Store, or students can bring these items from home. You will need to purchase additional materials based on the specific supply lists for your courses.

Most supplies can be purchased on campus at the RISD Store or the RISD Store 3D. If items are not available at our stores, your supply lists include links to recommended sources. Course supply lists include items that all students will need for the first day of classes. You will likely need to purchase additional supplies throughout the program.

We recommend that all residential students clearly label all luggage so it can be easily retrieved from the drop-off point. We suggest packing everything in suitcases, bags, and boxes, as unpacked items become tough to manage.

Residential students may have boxes or luggage shipped to them before arriving on campus. On Check-In Day, the packages will be available for students to pick up in the Check-In area.

Packages should be labeled with the following address and MUST include the student’s assigned mailbox number, which will be emailed to students prior to the start of the program.

Student’s first and last name
Pre-College, Rhode Island School of Design
20 Washington Place # [Assigned Mailbox Number]
Providence, RI 02903

• International students can ship starting May 31.
• Domestic students can ship starting June 13.
• Students ordering from Amazon or another retail business can ship starting June 20.

Items shipped during the program are to be picked up at Mail and Receiving Services, which is located at 20 Washington Place.

Keep all tracking information related to orders and shipments until your shipment arrives.

Located about 10 miles south of Providence, T. F. Green Airport (PVD) is Rhode Island’s largest airport, with direct flights to and from many cities around the US. It also services a few international destinations. Transportation options from the airport to Providence include taxi and car sharing services.

Logan International Airport (BOS) in Boston, MA is approximately 50 miles north of Providence; however, it often offers more frequent and more direct flight options (potentially resulting in lower airfares). Peter Pan bus company provides Logan travelers with bus transportation to downtown Providence.

Amtrak and the Metro Boston Transit Authority provide train transportation via Providence Station in downtown Providence. Taxi and ride sharing options are available just outside the station.

From the north or south: From either I-95 South or I-95 North, take Exit 37B Downtown, Memorial Boulevard. Continue straight (onto Memorial Boulevard) to the fourth traffic light, and turn left onto Washington Place. Continue straight through the second traffic light (Washington Place becomes Waterman Street) to 30 Waterman Street (on your left).

From the east: Follow I-195 West to Exit 1C (South Main Street). Follow South Main Street to the intersection of South Main and Waterman streets. Turn right onto Waterman Street and proceed to 30 Waterman Street (on your left).

From the northwest: Follow 146 to I-95 South. Once on I-95 South, follow the North and South directions above.

If your family’s visit involves more than a day trip, check the RISD accommodations portal for reduced rates at selected hotels in downtown Providence.

You are required to arrive on Saturday, June 27 between 8:30 am and 12:30 pm to attend check-in and orientation. You will be contacted by Residence Life regarding your scheduled check-in appointment time. If you’re traveling internationally or a long distance, you can request permission to arrive early on June 26. An additional fee will apply and must be paid in full by June 12. Once you are accepted, additional arrival information will be shared along with instructions on how to complete your housing application.

Due to the intensive nature of the coursework and the amount of information provided at orientation, we typically do not permit students to start the program late. If you have a scheduling conflict with school, we suggest you ask if your school can make arrangements for you to complete the requirements early. If you need a letter documenting your attendance for school officials, email us for assistance.

To complete the program, you must attend each class through the end of the final day on Friday, July 31. Students must officially move out between 5:30 pm on Friday, July 31 and 12 pm on Saturday, August 1. For travel purposes, if students who would like to move out after class on Friday, July 31, they must notify Residence Life.

Welcome materials will be available as Pre-College 2026 Check-In Day approaches.
 

All Pre-College students (residential and commuting) are required to attend Check-In and Orientation on Saturday, June 27. Specific arrival and check-in instructions will be sent to you prior to the start of the program, but here’s more about what you can expect: 

At Check-In you will receive:

• your residence hall room assignment and access card
• ID card
• registration and class schedule, which may include some specific course supply lists

Campus partners will be available at the Resource Fair to answer any questions, including staff members from Health Services, Public Safety, laundry service and the RISD Store.

Check-In Day schedule (subject to change)

8:30 am–2:30 pm: Check-in, Resource Fair and art supply kit pick-up

10 am–2 pm: Brunch

3–5:30 pm: Student orientation (mandatory, students only)

3–4:15 pm: Parent and Family Meet & Mingle (optional)

6:30–7:30 pm: Commuter student social

7–8:30 pm: Residence Life orientation (residential students only)

You can use the RISD Mobile app for live walking directions on campus, calling a RISD Ride, receiving notifications for trip sign-ups, and more. Available for iPhone or Android. 

Pre-College Students can access the Pre-College Student experience by logging in with your RISD credentials.

You’ll be in class all day, every day of the final week—presenting your work, giving and receiving critiques and having individual meetings with instructors. Plan to be on campus until the end of classes on Friday, July 31. You are not allowed to leave any of your final classes early, and you must collect your artwork from the exhibitions between 2:30–5:30 pm. Artwork may not be removed early.

Schedule subject to change

Majors Exhibition Opening Reception
Thursday, July 30, 5–8 pm
Exhibition hours: Thursday, July 30, 9 am–8 pm; Friday, July 31, 9 am–2:30 pm
Woods-Gerry Gallery
62 Prospect St

Foundations Exhibition Opening Reception
Thursday, July 30, 5–8 pm
Exhibition hours: Thursday, July 30, 9 am–8 pm; Friday, July 31, 9 am–2:30 pm
Washington Place Gallery
20 Washington Pl

Film and Animation Screening
Thursday, July 30, 5:30–7 pm (limited seating)
Friday, July 31, 10 am–5 pm (open seating)
Chace Center/RISD Museum
20 North Main Street

Fashion Show
Thursday, July 30, 6 pm
RISD Auditorium
17 Canal Walk

There will be a campus shuttle available Thursday, July 30, 5–9:30 pm, and Friday, July 31, 9:30 am–2:30 pm. The shuttle will operate on a loop, stopping at the following locations:

• Woods-Gerry Gallery
• 55 Angell Street (Quad)
• Chace Center and RISD Auditorium
• 20 Washington Place
• 30 Waterman Street (Quad)
• 68 Waterman Street (North Hall)

Interactive campus map

If you or someone in your party will need accommodations due to a physical disability, you can contact Disability Support Services with any questions regarding accessibility concerns on campus and any other questions you may have at 401 709-8465 or disabilitysupportservices@risd.edu.

The final class meetings are some of the most important. Students will be doing final presentations and participating in final critiques. If your family or friends come to campus for exhibitions, remember to keep your attention on completing your coursework. If you leave early or skip your final classes, you’ll put yourself in jeopardy of failing your course(s) or the program.

Friday, July 31, 2:30–5:30 pm 

You’re responsible for picking up your final work at the close of the exhibitions. Artwork may not be removed from the gallery prior to the start of the pickup time of 2:30 pm on Friday. Any artwork that is not picked up by 5:30 pm will be discarded, unless you have arranged pickup/shipping with UPS. Parents or friends may pick up artwork for you by presenting a note from you authorizing the pick-up as well as a photo ID.
 

Early departures after class on Friday, July 31 can be coordinated by the student’s approved parent noting an early departure via the parent registration form on the Housing Portal. All students must complete an express check-out via the Housing Portal after they have finished moving out. Any questions regarding closing and move-out can be sent to precollegehousing@risd.edu.

UPS will be on campus July 30–August 1 to help you with your shipping and packing needs during residence hall move-out. They are also available to pick up, pack, and ship artwork from the galleries upon request.

Arrangements to have artwork picked up from the galleries (and shipped) can be made by contacting a UPS Store associate either in person or by calling 401-751-6245. Parents/students must place orders with UPS directly for artwork shipping. When placing your order, please describe the artwork in very specific detail so it can easily be located in the gallery. UPS will pick up artwork from galleries in the morning on Monday, August 3. (Note: UPS is a third party vendor and all transactions are independent of RISD.)

The UPS Store
11 South Angell Street, Providence, RI 02906
Phone: 401 751-6245

A certificate of completion will be issued to all students who successfully complete the program. Successful completion of the program requires that each of the following have been met:

• Participation in the Majors Exhibition, Fashion Show, or Screening, depending on your major.
• Attending through the last day of each class without withdrawal or dismissal.

RISD Pre-College fosters artistic and intellectual freedom, but also offers a structured campus environment. Further details of conduct expectations and attendance, residence hall, and curfew policies are included in the Pre-College Student Handbook.

Violations of college policies and regulations may result in such sanctions as a warning, probation, or dismissal. All policy materials must be read and acknowledged prior to the start of the program.

Classroom conduct expectations:

• Review the guidelines for classroom behavior and academic performance as outlined in each instructor’s syllabus. Seek clarification if there is anything you do not understand.
• Actively engage in each class. Stay focused on your work and participate in critique.
• Submit all coursework on time.
• Treat people, spaces, and equipment with respect.

As RISD Pre-College follows college curriculum and standards, you will need to:

• arrive on campus on time and attend all student orientations
• arrive to each class on time and prepared with your supplies and any work that is due
• attend all five weeks through the last hour of your final class
• participate in the final exhibition that is relevant to your major

Absences

Students who incur three absences may be dismissed. Absences for medical reasons are included in this policy. Late arrival to class counts towards a half day’s absence, except for Critical Studies in Art classes, for which it will count for a full day’s absence. There are no excused absences, including those due to travel plans.

Absence during class for family events such as weddings, birthdays, vacations, or other social engagements are not permitted. However, residential students may attend these or other events (with parental permission) on evenings up until curfew or for the entire weekend (Friday evening up until Sunday curfew) on an approved Weekend Away. Weekend Away forms are provided along with housing forms in April. An approved Weekend Away does not grant approval for any absence from class.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shifts toward the endemic stage of COVID-19, RISD has adjusted our protocols to stay consistent with sustainable health practices.

Visit RISD’s COVID-19 page for information and protocols pertinent to the in-person Pre-College program. Topics include respiratory illness guidelines, isolation protocol, missing class, testing, and vaccination.

To officially withdraw from Pre-College prior to the start of classes, submit written notification to precollege@risd.edu. Failure to properly withdraw from the program results in a failing grade. See the Leaving Campus Early section of the student handbook for more details. 

Students who do not complete the required vaccinations and health requirements before arriving on campus may be denied entry to the program with no refund provided.

Refunds for voluntary withdrawal after a student has been accepted are granted. Amounts vary based on the time of withdrawal. 

Reference the “Early Departure” section of the Student Handbook for procedure details of students being dismissed. Tuition and fees are not refunded to students who are asked to leave for violation of RISD policies. Students who withdraw for any reason are also subject to the Withdrawal and Refund Policy and schedule.

RISD is committed to creating and providing a learning, living and working environment free from sex-based discrimination. Sex-based discrimination, including, but not limited to, sexual assault, stalking, dating and domestic violence, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation committed by members of our community, guests, and visitors will not be tolerated. All members of our community, including guests and visitors, are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others.

RISD complies with all applicable state and federal statutes, including Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex under any education program or activity receiving federal financial aid.

Any student, faculty or staff member who has concerns about sex-based discrimination, including any concerns pertaining to sexual misconduct, is encouraged to seek assistance from our Title IX coordinators (listed below).

Emily Gleason
Title IX Coordinator
20 Washington Place, room 346
egleason@risd.edu

Jasmine Mahoney
Title VI, VII, and ADA/504 Coordinator
Deputy Title IX Coordinator
20 Washington Place, room 348
jmahoney@risd.edu 

Coordinators can provide information about resources for assistance and options for addressing concerns. Those options may vary depending on the nature of the complaint, whether the complainant is a student, faculty or staff member, the wishes of the complainant regarding confidentiality, and whether the complainant prefers to proceed formally or informally. Together, these coordinators play an integral role in fulfilling RISD’s commitment to provide a positive learning, teaching, and working environment for the entire community.

The Equity & Compliance office is on the third floor of 20 Washington Place, in Suite 321. The team is on-call 24/7 at 401-454-6666. 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords you certain rights with respect to your education records.

These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review your education records (with certain limited exceptions) within 45 days of the day RISD receives your request for access. You should submit any such request to RISD Continuing Education in writing, identifying the records you wish to inspect. RISD Continuing Education will make arrangements for access and notify you of the time and place where the records may be inspected. Records that are customarily open for student inspection will be accessible without written request.
2. The right to request the amendment of your education records if you believe them to be inaccurate. You should submit any such request to the RISD Continuing Education in writing, clearly identifying the records that you want to have amended and specifying the reasons you believe them to be inaccurate. RISD Continuing Education will notify you of its decision and, if the decision is negative, of your right to a hearing regarding your request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to you at that time.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in your education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One such exception permits disclosure to “school officials” with “legitimate educational interests.” A “school official” is any person employed by RISD in any administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support Staff position (including public safety and health services Staff); any person or company with whom RISD has contracted to provide a service to or on behalf of RISD (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); any person serving on RISD’s Board of Trustees; or any student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a “legitimate educational interest” if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill the official’s professional responsibility. Another such exception permits RISD to disclose, to anyone within the RISD community and to the general public, your “directory information” consisting of the following:
   • your name
   • local, home, and e-mail addresses
   • local and home telephone number
   • major field of study
   • enrollment status/rank (e.g., undergraduate or graduate; full time; first-year, sophomore, junior, or senior; first-year, second-year, or third-year)
   • dates of attendance
   • anticipated degree and degree date
   • degrees, honors, and awards received
   • participation in officially recognized activities
   • student ID number, user ID, or other unique personal identifier used by the student for purposes of accessing or communicating in electronic systems
   • most recent educational agency or institution attended
   • photograph

Students who wish to have their directory information withheld must notify the RISD Continuing Education in writing. (Please note that such a notification will prevent RISD Continuing Education from providing your directory information to your friends, prospective employers, arts organizations, and others with whom you may wish us to share such information, so make your decision carefully.) You may give such notification at any time, but it will be effective only prospectively.

Upon request, RISD also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll or where the student is already enrolled so long as the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer. Information on other such exceptions is available through the RISD Continuing Education office.

At any point, new students as well as continuing students may access Workday to Manage their Privacy Settings (to determine whether or not they wish to be included in the public directory), as well as Assign or Remove Third Party Access (to provide parents/guardians/third-parties access to select parts of their financial and academic record). If you choose not to provide third party access, you are urged to inform your parents of your decision. Third party users will receive credentials to access the system directly.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by RISD to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Student Privacy Policy Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.

RISD Pre-College is oriented toward young people who are ready to practice being independent. Pre-College students are responsible for their meals, laundry, rest, and coursework, and have periods without supervision. They will be challenged to balance extensive homework assignments with time for events and activities. Students may travel freely on and off campus after class and before curfew; however, the expectation that students be on time for curfew and class is strict.

Students are also responsible for seeking out information and guidance from instructors, Residence Life, and other appropriate staff to resolve any issues.

During the application process

• At the point of application, students are asked to use their primary email address to create an account within the Application Dashboard. Once accepted, all required forms and documents must be submitted online with parent or guardian signatures. Please work with your child to complete the application process together.
• The parent/guardian email designated as the primary point of contact in the application will be contacted by Residence Life to complete a Parent/Guardian Housing Application. This short application is where the parent/guardian indicates important dates and information to Residence Life. This information helps us keep your student safe and accounted for during curfew checks. The application is mandatory for all parents/guardians of students who are residing on campus during Pre-College.

During the program

Staff and instructors will communicate directly with students via email or phone—not with parents, guardians, or other third parties. Unless a student has incurred a serious infraction, parents and guardians are not necessarily informed when students receive an academic warning, attend a disciplinary hearing, or violate policies. In this way they can learn to take personal responsibility and self-correct in order to succeed.

We will keep parents and guardians informed about important program details through family newsletters. If you have questions, contact us at precollege@risd.edu.

Pre-College students are permitted to have approved guests who are immediate family members age 16 and older visit the residence halls anytime outside of curfew hours. Curfew hours are 10 pm–5 am on days preceding class and 11 pm–5 am on days not preceding class.

Pre-College students must accompany their approved guest(s) at all times when they are in the residence halls. Prior to entering the residence halls, Pre-College guests must check in with Public Safety and follow the steps below:

Guest expectations

• Parents/guardians must submit the names of all approved visitors in the Housing Portal–Parent/Guardian by June 27. Only guests on the approved visitors list will be permitted to enter the residence halls (with the exception of move-in/move-out days).
• Upon arrival, the student and their guest must check in with the Public Safety office (30 Waterman Street). The student must accompany their guest when checking in at the Public Safety office.
• Guests should present a legal ID to the Public Safety officer at the desk.
• Once Public Safety confirms that the guest is on the approved visitors list, the guest will receive a visitor sticker with the visitation date.

Student Life Housing Portal–Parent/Guardian

Pre-College students are permitted to spend weekends away from campus. Weekend away requests must be approved and on file with Residence Life in order to leave for the weekend. Weekend away requests may be for an entire weekend (e.g. Friday night through Sunday by curfew) or for a single day/night. If a student does not request a weekend away, and/or is not approved, they may not leave the campus overnight.

Approval for a weekend away is for safety purposes only. It does not provide authorization to miss any classes.

How to request a weekend away

A student’s approved parent/guardian can request a weekend away in the Housing Portal–Parent/Guardian. Parents/guardians may change this as many times as they’d like prior to the start of the program or by noon on the Thursday prior to the weekend away.

How to request a last-minute weekend away or make changes to a weekend away request

If a parent/guardian wants to make changes to their student’s weekend away request, they must contact Residence Life no later than by noon the Thursday before the requested weekend away. They can adjust and resubmit the request in the Student Life Housing Portal–Parent/Guardian.

Weekend away timeframe: Friday evening through Sunday evening

Weekends away may be for a single day—for example, from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. The student must return before curfew check (Friday–Saturday by 11 pm and Sundays by 10 pm).

Pre-College student responsibilities for weekend away

Students must:

• Confirm with their RA that they are on the approved weekend away list on the Thursday evening prior to leaving campus.
• Leave campus prior to curfew.
• Return to campus prior to curfew the evening they are required to be back.

Housing Portal–Parent/Guardian

We take the safety of Pre-College students seriously. That’s why we offer many services, tools, policies, and procedures to help maintain a safe environment on campus. The Public Safety office and the security desk are staffed 24/7 to ensure the general welfare and security of all Pre-College students. We implement a curfew every night, and check that the students are all in their rooms by that time.

RISD Public Safety (includes annual security and fire safety report)

RISDAlerts

The RISDAlert emergency notification system sends time-sensitive information to students, instructors, and staff members.

Students are automatically subscribed to RISDAlerts. Parents/guardians can opt in by texting “RISDALERT” to 226787. Visit RISD Emergency Information for more details.

Authorized family members can add funds to a student’s RISD Bucks account by visiting risdbucks.risd.edu. Family members can log in using the student’s last name, ID number, and date of birth.