Dear Faculty, Staff and Students, 

I hope you had a wonderful summer. It is a joy to welcome returning members of our community back "home" to Brown, and to warmly greet those who are new to College Hill. This week, I have loved watching the campus come alive again as students return and faculty and staff prepare for the semester ahead. I am writing to reflect on accomplishments of the past year and to share plans for advancing Brown’s education and research and for strengthening our vibrant, inclusive community in the year to come. 

I also offer further reflections on the agreement Brown reached with the U.S. government over the summer, as well as the ongoing impact of federal actions. This includes implications for Brown's finances, as well as for our international students and scholars.

But first, I invite you to attend Brown’s 262nd Opening Convocation, which marks the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year. Convocation will take place at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, on the College Green. The opening exercises will feature a keynote address from new Dean of the College Ethan Pollock. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE PAST YEAR

While this has been a uniquely challenging time for Brown and other colleges and universities across the country, it is important that we not lose sight of the incredible achievements of our community. Every day on campus I am proud to see faculty, staff and students working side by side to advance Brown’s mission of improving the community, the nation and the world through rigorous scholarship and education.

Our faculty continue to be recognized at the highest levels for their work. Last year, eight Brown faculty members were elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (an all-time high for a single year), and many others were recognized by prominent national and international organizations. Thirty-five recent graduates and two current graduate students received Fulbright awards to conduct research or teach English in locations across the globe this year. And, for the second consecutive year, Brown ranked among the top universities in the country for securing new patents for research discoveries. 

Brown's student-centered learning environment continues to offer undergraduate and graduate students remarkable opportunities to collaborate with faculty and staff in creating knowledge that makes a real impact. Among many advancements, Brown researchers discovered a biomarker for Alzheimer’s Disease prevention, unearthed a centuries-old altar to lend new context to ancient Mayan history, developed new devices that can help to detect and understand traumatic brain injury, and organized a major exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture that explores the global legacies of slavery.

We can also be proud that we are advancing important work to support a thriving academic community. The Thomas J. Watson Jr. School for International and Public Affairs officially launched in July, and we will celebrate the new school together later this fall. In the coming weeks, renovations to Pembroke Hall will be completed, which will bring the Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research on Women into a unified space with enhanced areas for academic and community gatherings. And, construction continues on the William A. and Ami Kuan Danoff Life Sciences Laboratories, supporting a vibrant life sciences ecosystem in the Jewelry District. 

ONGOING IMPACT OF FEDERAL ACTIONS

I and other members of the senior administration continue to be committed to helping Brown navigate this exceedingly difficult and highly politicized environment for higher education. Colleges and universities have faced threats to federal funding that supports everything from research to financial aid; increases in taxes on college and university investment income (although Brown's tax rate will not increase for now); policies that have made it more difficult for international students to gain entrance to and remain in the United States; and changes in how the federal government views “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) initiatives. 

Reflections on the Federal Agreement

As I have shared previously, one of the biggest challenges Brown has faced was a federal funding freeze beginning in April that threatened our ability to conduct life-saving research and also the livelihoods of hundreds of faculty and staff. In July we announced that Brown reached a resolution agreement with the federal government to restore funding from the National Institutes of Health and resolve three open reviews assessing Brown’s compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws. The agreement also committed Brown to abide by certain provisions related to Title VI and Title IX, as well as providing $5 million per year, over 10 years, to workforce development organizations in Rhode Island.

I recognize and appreciate that the agreement has generated strong emotions and a wide range of views. Some are relieved that their research and livelihoods are no longer under threat due to the lack of NIH funding. Others have questions about what this agreement means for Brown’s ongoing commitment to sustaining an inclusive community where every individual is fully valued for their unique perspectives and experiences.

I feel it's important that every member of our community understand that, by no means was embarking upon this agreement an easy decision for Brown. But I do feel strongly that it was a necessary one. It was necessary for sustaining our capacity to provide our students with an excellent education. It was necessary for giving Brown the ability to retain the faculty who teach in our classrooms and conduct research that is improving lives and communities. It preserves hundreds of externally funded research jobs that maintain the well-being of families. And it safeguards the essential resources that sustain Brown as a supportive teaching and learning community. This is an agreement, not for some, but for all members of our community.  

We will fully honor the agreement and intend to comply diligently while remaining true to our values and who we are as a community. I want to emphasize that this agreement does not impinge in any way on our core value of academic freedom or change Brown’s firm and long-standing commitment to treat all members of our community with dignity and respect, including members of our trans and nonbinary communities. Nor does it mean that Brown will elevate antisemitism over other forms of harassment, discrimination or hate. All discrimination is completely unacceptable and contrary to our policies and values. 

We have already begun engaging with groups of faculty, staff and students across campus to address questions about the agreement and will continue to do so in the coming weeks. I encourage everyone to read the FAQs that have been developed on Title VI, Nondiscrimination and “DEI” and on Brown’s Sex and Gender Policies and Gender-Affirming Care.

Navigating Financial Impacts

As we shared in August, recent developments have improved the financial outlook for Brown’s current fiscal year budget. However, significant financial challenges remain as a result of federal government actions, including a decline in research funding in the federal spending bill that affects all research universities, and other federal policy changes that will affect tuition revenue. In July, in response to these challenges, we asked administrative and academic units to revise budget targets downward to identify further FY26 expense reductions. The results of these revisions will be communicated in the coming weeks. 

We anticipate that federal actions will impose an annual burden that is likely to grow in FY27 and beyond. Therefore, in the coming year it will be imperative that we continue to work on careful financial management while also continuing to make the strategic investments required to elevate our impact as a leading institution dedicated to excellence in education and research.

Supporting International Students and Scholars

We are deeply concerned about the difficulty international students have had in obtaining visas to study in the United States. Approximately 15 international students, primarily graduate students, who were expected to matriculate at Brown this fall have been unable to reach campus to begin their studies, and many others have chosen to defer their studies. We hope they can join us as soon as possible. 

At the same time, international students who are in the country are concerned about the threat of losing their ability to remain in the U.S. The Office of International Students and Scholars is communicating continually with impacted students. The most up-to-date guidance, resources and support related to travel and immigration is available through the Office of Global Engagement. 

PRIORITIES FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

In the year ahead, we will continue to advance Brown’s mission of high-impact scholarship and research within a diverse and inclusive community. I am especially excited about three of these priorities.

Implementing Values and Voice

In May, the Brown faculty and the Corporation of Brown University approved a “Statement of University Values and Voice,” which defines the University’s core institutional values and sets forth when the University should, or should not, use its voice—through statements or actions—to intentionally express positions on social and political issues. The four core values that inform how the University advances its mission of serving society through education, scholarship and research are: the pursuit of knowledge and understanding; the support of academic freedom and freedom of expression; a commitment to openness and diversity of ideas, perspectives and experiences; and responsibility for a thriving academic community. I am proud that our community came together to do this important work, and I encourage everyone to read the  of the Ad Hoc Committee on University Values and Voice

This year, we will work to ensure that all members of our community understand Brown’s values and the University’s policy on voice, and appreciate how both our values and our use of voice support Brown’s mission. In the coming weeks, the Faculty Executive Committee and I will jointly charge an ad hoc committee of faculty, staff and students to, among other things, review alignment between current University policies, committee charges and governance structures to ensure consistency with the Statement of University Values and Voice.

Reaffirming the Centrality of the Liberal Arts and Sciences

Since its founding, Brown has emphasized the value of education in the liberal arts and sciences. At present, there are several forces challenging this ideal, including national economic forces and government policies that aren’t favorable to the liberal arts. At the same time, Brown has evolved into a major research university with five professional schools, and some have voiced concerns about whether Brown is placing appropriate focus on its core. 

In the coming year, we will undertake efforts to reaffirm our commitment to the liberal arts and sciences. Dean of the Faculty Leah VanWey and Dean of the College Ethan Pollock will lead a discussion-based effort to assess whether Brown’s integration of research and undergraduate teaching is adequately supporting the goals of an education in the liberal arts and sciences. And, as part of the Brown 2026 programming this year to commemorate the founding of the United States, we will sponsor events and conversations addressing the value of a liberal arts education.

Advancing the Discovery Through Dialogue Project

Last spring, we launched the Discovery Through Dialogue project to elevate and invest in Brown’s long-standing commitment to open inquiry and the free exchange of ideas. As noted above, an openness to diverse ideas, perspectives and experiences is core to Brown’s values and central to advancing our mission of education and scholarship. This year, Discovery Through Dialogue, which fosters opportunities for meaningful conversations across a wide range of perspectives, will become more robust with additional programming, training and professional development opportunities for all members of our campus community. 

For students, the Community Dialogue Project will support students in building the skills, confidence and strategies to engage in constructive dialogue. Students will also be able to apply for funds to support dialogue-related projects and programming that they develop themselves. The Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning will make more dialogue-related resources available for faculty, and staff will benefit from growing resources on navigating conflict, developed in partnership with the Staff Advisory Council. 

Highlighting Other Priorities in the Coming Year

Other initiatives being led by senior administrative leaders across campus include the following:

• Supporting Diversity and Inclusion: For nearly 10 years, Pathways to Diversity and Inclusion: An Action Plan for Brown University (known as the DIAP) has grounded our work in classrooms and laboratories in the diversity of perspectives, ideas and experiences that is essential to fulfilling our academic mission. Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Matthew Guterl will lead efforts to review our progress and develop a new plan for the future of diversity and inclusion at Brown.
• Advancing Wellness for Students: In recent years, the University has taken steps to advance the holistic well-being of students, including through improved recreational opportunities and the wellness residential experience in Sternlicht Commons. Building on this progress, Vice President for Campus Life Patricia Poitevien and Vice President for Athletics and Recreation M. Grace Calhoun will lead a task force considering how Brown can further advance a holistic approach to well-being across academics and campus life.
• Teaching, Learning, Discovering and Working in the Age of AI: Brown continues to lead the way in exploring how to deploy Artificial Intelligence in ways that enhance our academic and administrative functions. This year, we will expand the AI tools available to support teaching, learning and business operations, and create more opportunities for faculty, students and staff to learn how to use these tools effectively and ethically. Provost Francis J. Doyle III will share more about these efforts in the coming days.
• Building Faculty and Staff Community: Faculty and staff have voiced growing concerns that the sense of community at Brown is not as strong as it once was, particularly in the five-plus years since the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with the Faculty Executive Committee, Provost Doyle and I will pilot a new “Faculty Spotlights” series to bring people together across disciplines and share the outstanding scholarship happening on campus. Robust offerings on Staff Development Day and Bear Day will offer important opportunities to connect, recognize contributions and foster a shared sense of purpose among staff. This fall we will conduct a new campus climate survey (which will also be administered to students) that will help to identify where we are doing well and where there are further opportunities for improvement. 

Extending Wishes for a Great Year

I’ll conclude by wishing you a wonderful start to the fall semester. This will be an exciting year as we continue to advance knowledge and understanding, embrace diverse perspectives and build an even greater sense of community. It remains a true honor to serve this extraordinary University, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the weeks and months to come. 

Sincerely, 

Christina H. Paxson
President