The University Community Academic Advising Program (UCAAP) has been designed for students who want community service and social change work to be a central part of their Brown experience.  UCAAP has three main components:

• Institute on Service and Community – All UCAAP students participate in a pre-orientation program that introduces them to the resources of Providence and the Swearer Center.  The Institute also strives to build a learning community dedicated to exploring issues of social transformation, leadership skills for social change, and the nature of service and social change.  In 2011 the Institute will take place August 31-September 2. There is no fee to participate.
• Academic Advising – Each UCAAP participant is matched with an academic advisor who, in addition to regular course consultation, encourages conversation about the connection of academic study with work and service in the community.
• UCAAP Seminar – UCAAP students participate in monthly programs that are designed to deepen the conversation about public service and activism.  The not-for-credit seminar creates an active space for individuals committed to community work to share their insights and come together with other students, staff, faculty and community members to further explore the values of community and social change work.

UCAAP is a program for first-year students.  You have the option of continuing with your academic advisor sophomore year.  There are UCAAP opportunities in the second year as well, though it is primarily a first year program. Open to all incoming students, the program is especially suited for students who have had prior community service/social justice experience. For the 2011-2012 academic year, there were over 200 applications for 50 UCAAP slots.

Brown's culture of independent and integrated learning supports moments of powerful and transformative learning that occur outside the classroom or laboratory. Building on the freedom of Brown's curriculum, and the tendency toward activist involvement that is another distinctive feature of Brown’s educational culture, UCAAP has been organized to:

• Challenge students to think comprehensively about community work, social change and justice, and their goals for their Brown education; and encourage students to examine and articulate the moral convictions that will guide them through life.
• Encourage students to design meaningful experiences that integrate study and community work that makes a positive difference not only for themselves but for the world they live in.
• Create a learning community of students dedicated to exploring issues of social transformation, leadership skills for social change, and the nature of service and social change.
• Introduce students to social issues in Providence and Rhode Island, as well as key organizations, leaders, advocates, organizations, and residents involved with those issues; and introduce students to community work at Brown, especially the resources and opportunities of the Swearer Center for Public Service.

However, unlike the CAP program, no academic credit is offered for participation in UCAAP.

Apply online to the 2012-2013 UCAAP program. The deadline for the 2012-2013 academic year is June 15 at 5 PM EDT. (You must have a Brown network login to access the application. If you haven't activated your Brown network ID, click here.)

Q: What is UCAAP?

The UCAAP Program is an academic advising option like the Curricular Advising Program (CAP). UCAAP participants are matched with academic advisors who encourage them to think about the connection of academic study with work and service in the community. (PLME and Engineering students are invited to participate in UCAAP, though those programs will assign academic advisors to them.)

Q: Who is eligible to participate in UCAAP?

A: Once accepted to Brown, students may apply to be part of UCAAP. Though open to all incoming students, the program is especially suited for students who have had prior community service/social justice experience. Each year, 45 UCAAP participants are selected through a competitive process.

Q: Do I get credit for being in UCAAP?

No academic credit is offered for UCAAP participation.

Q: How does participating in UCAAP affect my first-year experience?

A: Prior to Orientation, UCAAP students are required to participate in a two and one-half day Institute on Service and Community, as well as monthly seminars throughout the academic year. The UCAAP Institute and subsequent seminar series will create an active space for individuals committed to community work to share their insights; come together with other students, staff, faculty and community members to further explore the values of civic engagement; and serve as a resource for others within the Brown community in the furthering of the role of service in a liberal education.

Concurrent community service involvement is strongly encouraged, though a specific service requirement is not part of UCAAP.

Q: How do I apply?

A: Apply online to the 2012-2013 UCAAP program. The deadline for the 2012-2013 academic year is June 15 at 5 PM EDT. (You must have a Brown network login to access the application. If you haven't activated your Brown network ID, click here.)

Q: I still have questions. Who should I contact?

A: For more information about UCAAP, contact Alan Flam.