A group of people on a gondola during a full WaterFire lighting on Nov. 1, 2025. One person lights a brazier with a torch, while others add wood to the pile.

Amid the installation’s financial challenges, The Herald spoke to WaterFire organizers, staffers, vendors and performers at the Nov. 1 full lighting.

Behind the scenes of WaterFire

By Maya Nelson, Annika Singh, Talia Egnal, Michelle Bi and Sophia Wotman | December 4 | Metro

Amid the installation’s financial challenges, The Herald spoke to WaterFire organizers, staffers, vendors and performers at the Nov. 1 full lighting.

Photograph of Jessie Golden ’26 posing outside the Pizzitola Memorial Sports Center

Golden sat down with The Herald to reflect on her volleyball career.

‘Sitting alone at the top’: Jessie Golden ’26 named first-ever three-time Ivy Defensive Player of the Year

By James Libresco | December 5 | Sports

Golden sat down with The Herald to reflect on her volleyball career.

The course will enroll 410 students this spring, a drop from last year’s enrollment of 555. ...

New course sequence reduces number of seats in CHEM 0350 next spring, changes organic chemistry offerings

By Alejandro Ruiz | December 4 | University News

The course will enroll 410 students this spring, a drop from last year’s enrollment of 555. ...

Ashish Jha to leave School of Public Health

By Elise Haulund | December 4 | University News

Academic Dean of the School of Public Health Francesca Beaudoin PhD’16 will serve as interim dean starting Jan. 1.

Marijuana use may decrease alcohol consumption, Brown study finds

By Miriam Davison | December 4 | Science & Research

Illustration of a pair of hands toasting with red Solo cups, with one hand also holding a smoking joint

Brown researchers found that smoking marijuana can lower alcohol intake.

Opinions

Canfield ’28: The costs of cuts to foreign aid

By Ethan Canfield | December 5

While testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that “no one has died” because of funding cuts to the United States Agency for International Development, a claim that the Trump White House has continuously pushed to defend its overhaul of American ...

Editorial: Brown and RISD should pursue deeper integration

By Editorial Page Board | December 5

As neighbors on College Hill, Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design are natural partners for collaboration. Brown is a leading Ivy League research university, and RISD is the nation’s premier art school. Capitalizing on these strengths, our universities share an undergraduate dual-degree program, ...

Editors’ Note: Announcing The Herald’s 136th Editorial Board

By 135th Editorial Board | December 5

The Herald is proud to announce the members of its 136th Editorial Board, which will oversee the paper through its 135th year.

Gardiner ’28: Why Brown should stop discarding admissions records

By Isabella Gardiner | December 4

As the next generation of Brunonians walks through the Van Wickle Gates, these students may be left wondering how they ended up on College Hill. But that’s not a question any of us can completely answer. The journey an application takes from the Common Application portal to an acceptance letter is ...

Lindemann ’29: The key to intentionality is analog living

By Beatriz Lindemann | December 4

Almost every weekend, I walk past groups of friends snapping photos together before a night out, taking bursts of nearly identical shots. I often find myself in the same situation, posing for hundreds of pictures for the perfect Instagram post. You then overanalyze each photo, trying to find one that ...

University News

Fighting the College Hill floods: Brown takes steps to contain stormwater

By Ethan Schenker | December 5

Increasingly severe rain storms are straining an aging city and campus infrastructure.

Food insecurity continues to rise among grad students, GSC spending suggests

By Ian Ritter | December 4

New graduate student groups claimed that they have recently faced stricter scrutiny from the SAO.

A picture of the skyline of Providence, Rhode Island.

Brown records over $41 million in voluntary payments, community contributions to Providence in FY 2025

By Cate Latimer and Ciara Meyer | December 4

Brown provided $30.2 million in community contributions and $11.1 million in voluntary payments.

For professors, course evaluations help improve teaching, inform future courses

By Ivy Huang | December 4

While evaluations are particularly important for junior faculty, more seasoned professors also use feedback to refine course curriculum.

Central faculty committee proposes changes to Brown’s shared governance model

By Samah Hamid | December 2

The Faculty Executive Committee shared recommendations to increase faculty involvement in University decision making.

Arts & Culture

The cover for Rachel Chinouriri's EP "Little House"

Rachel Chinouriri’s newest EP builds a ‘Little House’ you’ll never want to leave

By Nora Rowe | December 4

As winter weather arrives on campus, Rachel Chinouriri’s newest EP, “Little House,” comes packed with the sincerity and warmth listeners need to get through a frigid December.

‘Zootopia 2’ draws herds of viewers with stunning animation, world building

By Michaela Hanson | December 3

The sequel to 2016’s “Zootopia” raises more questions than it answers.

Metro

Photograph of a green Peter Pan bus parked at the Providence Downtown stop

With holiday travel demand, some students are turning from Amtrak to buses, flights

By Sanai Rashid | December 5

Thanksgiving travel on FlixBus and Greyhound buses has increased more than 30% compared to last year.

How prices at College Hill convenience stores stack up

By Maya Kelly | December 4

The Herald compared the prices of popular items and spoke to students about purchasing preferences.

Jill Davidson ’89 wins Providence City Council Ward 2 seat

By Lev Kotler-Berkowitz | December 3

Davidson, the Democratic candidate, won nearly 95% of the vote, while Republican candidate Axel Brito ’26 received just under 4%.

RI AG, 20 others secure permanent injunction against Trump admin to protect libraries, workers, small businesses

By Alice Xie | December 3

The injunction halts cuts to four federal agencies that were targeted by a March executive order.

Sports

Brown Sports Network announces partnerships with Chelsea Football Club, Minnesota Vikings, Boston Legacy FC

By Miles Monroe | December 4

Students gain experience with some of the sports industry’s brands through Brown Sports Network.

Brown splits series against Yale before dropping road game against Northeastern

By Harry Guo | December 2

The team will play No. 10 Dartmouth and No. 20 Harvard this weekend.

Women’s ice hockey falls 4-1 to New Hampshire on Sunday

By Rahul Sameer | December 1

Despite scoring an early goal in the first period, the Bears were unable to hold onto their lead at home.

Brown Quadball fosters a magical sense of community

By Rajaa Ghandour | November 30

Amid a move up to Division 1 and an influx of new players, Brown Quadball continues to build strength with community and connection.

Princeton knocks volleyball out of Ivy League Tournament

By Abigail Donovan | November 24

No. 1 Princeton defeated the Bears in 3 straight sets in the semifinal.

Science & Research

Irene Papanicols presenting at the “Examining U.S. Health Policy Narratives from a Comparative Perspective" event

Brown professor challenges common critiques of US health care system at talk

By Jonathan Kim | December 5

Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice Irene Papanicolas compared U.S. health outcomes to global health data from other countries.

Illustration of two people sharing a lighter to light cigarettes

Why are so many college students smoking cigarettes?

By Kelly Ding | December 4

Experts said college students may smoke cigarettes causally or to self-treat mental health conditions.