Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs
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Reserving Meeting Space at the Watson Institute

The Watson Institute, located at 111 Thayer Street, 59 Charlesfield Street, and 280 Brook Street, offers meeting spaces that are available for use when not booked for Watson events. Meeting space in the Watson Institute is available to any Brown faculty, student, or staff member. Space requests by Brown departments will be reviewed after August 15 for fall events and December 15 for spring events. The Watson Institute is open Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. during the academic year, and 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. during the summer. Before requesting a space, please familiarize yourself with the rooms.

Watson Room Usage Guidelines

  • One member of your department’s staff or faculty will be assigned as the responsible party for the event.
  • At least one staff or faculty member must be present and responsible for the duration of the event.
  • All furniture moves will be handled by Facilities. Furniture must be returned to its prior location by Facilities.
  • If you have food or drink at your event you are required to use Brown catering. You must cover the tables to protect them from damage. You also must submit a post-event cleaning through Facilities.
  • Please note that posters are not allowed to be taped to walls, doors, or windows.

Requesting Space

Brown University Departments may reserve Watson Institute meeting space through the University Scheduling Office, https://space-reservations.brown.edu/.

Requests for audiovisual support can be made here. Please note there may be a fee for service.

Extra custodial cleaning service must be ordered through facilities by the event organizers to restore the room(s) to their previous condition immediately following the event. The service order must be emailed to a Watson Events Manager prior to the event.

For events that are happening on the weekends or after Watson business hours, you will need to request that doors are open for your event.  Contact accesscontrol@brown.edu

Please note, small conference rooms located in 280 Brook Street can be reserved through Google Calendar. (all are equipped with monitors for computer projection)   Instructions for booking through Google Calendar.

Birkelund Board Room, 1st Floor (Room 140), 111 Thayer Street

  • Capacity 25
  • Hollow Square style seating. Seats 20 around the table, extra chairs on the perimeter.
  • Audiovisual equipment: projector/screen. No installed computer. Users must bring their own laptop. ZOOM capable.
  • The South Common Room, 2nd floor (Room 258/259), may be reserved for lunch/breaks. Contact WatsonEvents@brown.edu to reserve.

McKinney Conference Room, 3rd floor (Room 353), 111 Thayer Street

  • Capacity: 34
  • Hollow square seating
  • Audiovisual equipment: computer, 70" LCD display (bring presentations on thumbdrive or laptop), Bluray/DVD, sound. Panopto lecture capture device. ZOOM capable.
  • The South Common Room, 2nd floor (Room 258/259), directly below McKinney and connected by an internal staircase, may be reserved for lunch/breaks. Contact WatsonEvents@brown.edu to reserve.
  • Breaks may also be set up outside of McKinney in the hallway. There are 3 tables available for catering.

Joukowsky Forum, 1st floor (Room 155), 111 Thayer Street

  • Capacity: 59
  • Auditorium-style seating
  • Audiovisual equipment: computer, projector (bring presentations on thumbdrive or laptop), sound, podium/microphone, 1x wireless lapel mic, 2x wireless handheld mics, panel table/4x mics, Bluray/DVD, general room lighting. Panopto lecture capture device. ZOOM capable.
  • Breaks may be set up in the lobby area outside the Joukowsky Forum.
  • In Joukowsky lobby: 1 sturdy moveable coatrack and hangers
  • 4 tables available for catering
  • The South Common Room, 2nd floor (Room 258/259), may be reserved for lunch/breaks. Contact WatsonEvents@brown.edu to reserve.

Room 101, 59 Charlesfield Street

  • Capacity: 12
  • Conference table
  • Audiovisual equipment: Large LCD screen. Air Media. No installed computer. Users must bring their own laptop.

True North Classroom (Room 101), Stephen Robert ’62 Hall, 280 Brook Street

  • Capacity: 115
  • Audiovisual equipment: projector (bring presentations on thumbdrive or laptop), sound, podium/microphone, 2x wireless lapel mics, 2x wireless handheld mics, panel table/8x mics, Bluray/DVD. Air Media. No installed computer. Users must bring their own laptop.

Classrooms 111 Thayer Street (available after 6:30 pm)

  • Classrooms 112 and 116
  • Capacity 24
  • Student desks
  • Classrooms 114 and 138
  • Capacity 20
  • Board table