In a Thursday morning letter, President Christina Paxson P’19 P’MD’20 laid out the principles that would guide the University’s response should the Trump administration threaten Brown’s academic mission. Paxson’s three principles included defending freedom of expression, providing resources to international community members and following the law.
The announcement came amid concerns over possible cuts in federal funding at Brown and peer institutions. Earlier this month, federal agencies announced the cancellation of $400 million of funding at Columbia due to its alleged inaction in protecting Jewish students against harassment. Penn has also faced a $175 million funding freeze over its policies surrounding transgender athletes.
Columbia administrators are currently in negotiations regarding a list of demands the Trump administration has put forth as necessary to restore federal funding. The measures include banning masks on campus, implementing restrictions on the timing and location of campus protests and placing the Middle East, South Asian and African Studies Department under “academic receivership,” meaning it would no longer be under faculty control.
In her letter, Paxson wrote that many individuals in higher education worry these instances “may be only the first examples of unprecedented government demands placed on a private university as a condition for restoring federal funding.”
“A troubling picture is taking shape regarding the enormity of what’s at stake for Brown and other institutions,” Paxson added. “Some of these demands raise new and previously unthinkable questions about the future of academic freedom and self-governance for those that are committed to continuing to serve this country as leading research institutions.”
She emphasized the University’s “ethical and legal obligations” under Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act in the face of recent federal actions.
“Brown stands firmly by its responsibility to protect all members of our community from harassment and discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, national origin and other protected factors,” Paxson wrote.
According to Paxson, the University has strengthened its policies and practices to make sure that claims of harassment are addressed.
“We have done this not only to follow the law, but because it is the right thing to do for our campus,” she added.
In the letter, Paxson also wrote that the University will continue to support its international community members in response to potential travel bans by President Trump’s White House and fears of deportation.
“It is heartbreaking to see the level of anxiety and fear being felt by international students, faculty and staff,” Paxson wrote. “In addition to the fear of deportation, many are afraid that they could be denied re-entry to the United States following international travel.”
The announcement comes after the deportation of Assistant Professor of Medicine Rasha Alawieh despite her holding a valid H-1B visa and a federal judge’s order, The Herald previously reported.
Alawieh was first held at Boston Logan International Airport on March 13 after visiting family in Lebanon. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Alawieh was deported to Lebanon on March 14 after she “openly admitted” to traveling to Beirut for the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Over the weekend, Brown advised its international community members to delay international travel until the University receives further information from the U.S. Department of State, The Herald previously reported.
In her letter, Paxson also affirmed the University’s commitment to defending its academic freedom and “spirit of free inquiry,” specifically highlighting the ability of students and faculty to pursue their academic interests without fear.
If the University faced actions that infringed upon its academic and operational functions, it “would be compelled to vigorously exercise our legal rights to defend these freedoms,” Paxson wrote.
Roma Shah is a senior staff writer covering University Hall and higher education. She's a freshman from Morgan Hill, CA and studies Neuroscience. In her free time, she can be found doing puzzles, hiking or curled up with a book.
