Open Letter to Brown President, Christina Paxson
Dear President Paxson,
We, the undersigned members of the Brown University community, are deeply disappointed by the University’s recent agreement with the Trump administration.
In exchange for the return of already granted research funds, Brown accepted sweeping policy changes on admissions, faculty hiring, campus inclusion, and student rights. This quiet concession to illegal extortion sets a dangerous precedent for higher education and undermines the values Brown claims to uphold.
We recognize that Brown faced intense financial pressure. But this moment demanded courage and integrity. Instead, Brown chose compliance.
Going forward, we call on the University to:
- Implement the agreement with transparency and community input
- Protect vulnerable students affected by these changes
- Commit to standing stronger against future authoritarian overreach
We are speaking out because we care deeply about Brown’s future, and because we believe the University must do better when its values are under attack.
[Click here for a more detailed analysis of the agreement]