Just under a month after Brown made national headlines over its agreement with the federal government, President Christina Paxson P’19 P’MD’20 has outlined a broad set of University priorities for the coming year, shared in a Thursday morning Today@Brown announcement.
In her letter, Paxson shared plans to align University policies with the statement of University Values and Voice, a set of guidelines for when Brown should use its institutional voice to comment on sociopolitical issues. She also revealed that the University plans to increase programming for the Discovery Through Dialogue project, which facilitates discussion among community members.
Paxson also shared that approximately 15 international students expected to enroll this fall have been unable to “reach” the University, The Herald previously reported. Some of these incoming students have not been able to obtain student visas, amid the Trump administration’s decisions to place additional obstacles for foreign nationals hoping to study in the United States.
In the message, Paxson also acknowledged criticism drawn by the deal and reflected on the “exceedingly difficult and highly politicized environment for higher education.”
“By no means was embarking upon this agreement an easy decision for Brown,” Paxson wrote. But priorities like retaining faculty and maintaining externally funded research positions made it a necessary one, she added.
In April, the White House shared plans to freeze $510 million in Brown’s federal funding over alleged antisemitism on campus and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The July agreement restored funding from the National Institutes of Health and concluded several federal investigations into the University. As part of the resolution, Brown agreed to provide $5 million per year over the course of 10 years to “workforce development organizations” in Rhode Island and committed to follow federal nondiscrimination provisions.
The agreement does not “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,” Paxson wrote.
While the deal has “improved the financial outlook” for the current fiscal year’s budget, federal policies affecting research funding and tuition revenue still pose issues, Paxson wrote. To help address a $30 million negative impact from federal actions, administrative and academic units across the University were asked to reduce expenses and brace for potential layoffs.
Paxson further indicated that Brown’s administration believes federal actions will “impose an annual burden” that may continue in fiscal year 2027 and onwards.
Despite budget difficulties, the announcement highlighted accomplishments from the last year, including a record eight University faculty members elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Brown researchers also identified a biomarker for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and organized an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The University has also undertaken several initiatives to “support a thriving academic community,” Paxson wrote, referencing the launch of the Thomas J. Watson Jr. School for International and Public Affairs, renovations of Pembroke Hall and the construction of the William A. and Ami Kuan Danoff Life Sciences Laboratories, which began this summer.
Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Matthew Guterl will also lead the development of a new action plan for diversity and inclusion, while Paxson and Provost Francis Doyle are spearheading an initiative aiming to reinforce a sense of campus community among faculty and staff.
“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,” Paxson wrote.
Samah Hamid is a senior staff writer at the Herald. She is from Sharon, Massachusetts and plans to concentrate in Biology. In her free time, you can find her taking a nap, reading, or baking a sweet treat.
