Policies and Disclosures

Institutional policies

RISD maintains two major online libraries of Institutional policies and procedures. Student academic policies can be found at risd.coursedog.com, our online course catalog. Student life policies, and all institutional governance and operational policies, procedures and forms, are found at policies.risd.edu.

The goals of all RISD’s policies are to

  • clarify the institution's expectations of its individual members
  • increase transparency in our relations with all constituents
  • provide management and visibility into areas of risk and compliance
  • enhance efficiency
  • ensure compliance with laws and regulations
  • guide us in fulfilling our philosophy and reaching our goals as set forth in our mission statement.

View the RISD Policy and Procedure Library  
View RISD’s Academic Policies

Non-discrimination and Title IX notice

RISD is committed to creating and providing a learning, living, and working environment free of discrimination and harassment for all students, faculty, and staff. Discrimination and harassment are contrary to the standards of RISD’s community and goals towards creating an inclusive environment. Discrimination and harassment impedes educational opportunities and equal employment. Discrimination and discriminatory harassment on the basis of any protected characteristic under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process within the institution, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and/or other human/civil rights agencies, will not be tolerated.

Protected characteristics include age, citizenship, color, disability, ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, pregnancy and related conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by law.

RISD does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of actual, perceived, or association with people with protected characteristics. This Policy covers nondiscrimination in both employment and access to educational opportunities. Therefore, any member of the RISD community whose acts to deny, deprive, unreasonably interfere with, or limit the education or employment, residential and/or social access, benefits, and/or opportunities of any member of the RISD community, guest, or visitor on the basis of that person’s actual or perceived protected characteristic(s), is in violation of this Policy.

Inquiries about sex-based discrimination and Title IX may be referred to RISD’s Title IX Coordinator and/or the U.S. Department of Education. RISD’s Title IX Coordinator may be reached by contacting Emily Gleason; egleason@risd.edu; 401 454-6341; visiting 20 Washington Place, room 346; or by submitting an online reporting form.

Inquiries about all other forms of discrimination may be referred to RISD’s Title VI, Title VII, and ADA/504 Coordinator, the US Department of Education, and/or the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. RISD’s Title VI, Title VII, and ADA/504 Coordinator may be reached by contacting Alyssa Roush; aroush@risd.edu; 401 454-6386; visiting 20 Washington Place, room 348; or by submitting an online reporting form.

RISD’s Nondiscrimination Policy and Procedures can be located at students.risd.edu/equitycompliance.

Accommodations for people with disabilities

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), RISD attempts to make its classes, programs, events and services accessible to everyone. Reasonable accommodations are made for people with disabilities or special needs who request assistance. These accommodations may include:

  • relocation of the class, program, event or service, if necessary.
  • duplication in an accessible location.
  • provision of a comparable substitute at a fully accessible institution
  • interim measures authorized by federal law.

If you need assistance to participate in any class, program, event or service offered at RISD, please contact Disability Support Services.

Commitment to equal opportunities

RISD upholds the federal Equal Employment Opportunity act and employs individuals based on personal capabilities and qualifications without unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

RISD values cultural, ethnic, intellectual and other diversity among applicants and employees as enriching to the environment on campus. Human Resources works to make employment opportunities widely known and give full consideration to all qualified candidates.

RISD is committed to the following principles and procedures:

  • upholding EEO provisions in making employment-related decisions in areas such as recruitment, hiring, training, promotions, compensation, benefits, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment
  • ensuring that employment policies are administered fairly and lawfully
  • ensuring that unlawful harassment is not tolerated

Campus security and fire safety report

In accordance with the Clery Act, each year the Department of Public Safety publishes a report on security and fire safety on campus. This is to inform the RISD community about security policies, important safety initiatives and relevant statistics.

Download the annual security and fire safety report

Governance documents

Financial statements

Accreditation