On March 3, the faculty voted to remove Paxson from her post as presiding officer at University faculty meetings. The chair of the Faculty Executive Committee will now run faculty meetings rather than the University president. This change ends a longstanding tradition at Brown — one that I have witnessed and participated in as a faculty member and administrator for more than half a century. To me, this change is a big mistake that ultimately weakens the University both in the short term and long term.
Brown is unique in the conduct of its faculty meetings compared to peer institutions by having the president, a voting member of the faculty, serve as chair. Why conduct these meetings in this way? This connection between faculty and administrators reflects Brown’s ethos of a tight-knit community where close interactions exist at every level of the University. Having the chair of the FEC preside over faculty meetings rather than the president breaks that direct access. It establishes a barrier that was not previously there and risks impeding interactions.
This decision also results in unintended consequences. The change is likely to be construed as a vote of no confidence in the president, making it far more difficult for her to advocate for the University — a critical role in ensuring Brown’s overall success, which I am acutely aware of from my time as interim president. The outside world will not follow the details and rationale for the change, but rather will focus on the decision itself — a decision that divides the faculty and the administration. Although one could question why we should worry about what those outside of Brown may think, the president will have to deal with the perception of this move head-on.
It also suggests a major change in the way Brown operates — a shift that may suggest we are not the distinctly cohesive institution that we pride ourselves on being. The president must convey our strengths and values to the world. She must communicate to our supporters, potential students, the citizens of this country and the world at large, that Brown is a special place committed to free inquiry and scholarship. This task becomes harder with a formal division now in place, as it appears there is tension between the faculty and the administration.
Finally, I have questions and concerns about the process by which the change was made. The results of the vote were hardly a mandate — only 168 faculty responded to the vote, with 75 voting for the change, 72 against the change and 21 abstaining. This is only a fraction of the eligible voting faculty. While the letter of our Faculty Rules and Regulations was followed, the low voter turnout and limited time to discuss the motion do not meet the spirit of our rules. Such a process must be conducted with the best possible practice. A motion to change an existing rule or bylaw, which would be considered a substantive motion, needs ample time for serious discussion of the motion and its ramifications, with both sides of the argument presented. I am suggesting that, given these issues, the faculty should consider repealing this change. A group of faculty members has already sent a motion to the FEC for inclusion on the April 7 faculty meeting agenda.
Unfortunately, we are living in a time of tremendous challenge to our community. Our organizational control has been destabilized — first by COVID-19, then by political attacks on higher education, including a direct targeting of Brown. Now we have been further shaken by the unspeakable tragedy of the Dec. 13 mass shooting. In the face of such challenges, we need more than ever to work together, support each other and build strength through unity.
I started at Brown as an assistant professor in 1970. According to faculty rules, I am still a voting member of the faculty, even though I retired in 2018. I’m deeply committed to Brown and to fighting for what makes it special. My comments here arise from a deep desire to make Brown a better place. I hope they are accepted in that spirit.
Sheila E. Blumstein is the Albert D. Mead Professor Emerita. A faculty member at Brown since 1970, she served the University as Chairman of the Department of Linguistics, 1978-1981; Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences, 1986-87; 1997-98, Sem. I, 1998-99 and Associate Chair, 2008-2009; Dean of the College from July 1987 to July 1995; Interim Provost from January to June 1998; and Interim President from February 2000 to July 2001. She can be reached at sheila_blumstein@brown.edu. Please send responses to this op-ed to letters@browndailyherald.com and other opinions to opinions@browndailyherald.com.
