• Influenza Information

• Commencement 2009
• Commencement A-Z
• Procession Map
• Diploma Ceremonies
• Storm Plan
• Commencement Traditions
• Parking and Shuttle Info
• About Providence

• Commencement Forums

• Graduate School
• Overview
• Schedule of Events
• Registration
• Awards and Honors
• Photographer
• Medical School
• Schedule of Events

• Documents (PDF format):
• Commencement Program

• Press Releases:
• An overview of Brown’s 241st Commencement Weekend
• 39th annual Commencement Forums offer 16 sessions, 50th reunion reflection
• Fareed Zakaria to deliver Baccalaureate Address Saturday afternoon
• Alpert Medical School to confer 90 M.D. degrees
• Brown to confer eight honorary degrees Sunday afternoon
• Charles Carpenter, M.D., to receive Rosenberger Medal

Commencement Information: H1N1

Brown continues to closely monitor the H1N1 influenza and follow recommendations and guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH).

At present, the CDC and RIDOH do not recommend that institutions cancel large gatherings.

Given what the CDC and RIDOH do know about the spread of H1N1 influenza, and to help prevent spread of the disease, the agencies suggest that persons with influenza like illness (ILI) should stay at home and not attend large gatherings. Persons who are sick should limit their contact with other people and stay home from work, school or events.

Some specific recommendations include:

• Visitors to campus who become sick with ILI while traveling, or after they arrive at Brown should self-isolate (i.e., stay away from others) and contact their health care provider to report the illness.
• Persons at high risk of complications from H1N1 influenza infection should consider their risk of exposure if they attend public gatherings in communities where H1N1 influenza is circulating. Persons considered at high risk include those:
  • with certain chronic medical conditions
  • less than 5 years
  • 65 years or older
  • pregnant women
• Students with ILI should self-isolate (i.e., stay away from others) and seek medical care by contacting Health Services at 863-1330 or by email before seeking care.

Recommended protection steps include:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the used tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you are symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.