Follow The Herald’s latest updates about the planned $510 million federal funding freeze here.
A White House official confirmed to The Herald that the Trump administration’s planned $510 million freeze in Brown’s federal funding will come as it reviews the University's response to antisemitism and its potential diversity, equity and inclusion policies. This is the first confirmation The Herald has received regarding the reason for the freeze.
Last month, Brown and 59 other universities received letters from the Department of Education threatening “enforcement actions” if they fail to “protect Jewish students on campus,” according to the message. The letters were sent to universities under investigation or monitoring over alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Title VI prohibits federally funded institutions from discriminating on the basis of race, color and national origin.
“We have taken extensive action to enhance non-discrimination and anti-harassment measures, cultivate constructive dialogue on campus and sustain a caring and supportive community,” University Spokesperson Brian Clark wrote in a March email to The Herald.
In July, Brown agreed to clarify and enhance policies relating to discrimination — including antisemitism — in an agreement with the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education following charges that the University disregarded Title VI. The University maintains it did not violate Title VI.
The allegations followed a series of pro-Palestine protests held between late 2023 and the spring of 2024, including the arrest of 61 students calling for the University to divest from companies affiliated with Israel, an eight-day hunger strike and a weeklong encampment.
DEI programs have also come under attack by the Trump administration in recent months.
In February, the Department of Education released a letter threatening to cut funding to institutions that do not eliminate race-conscious programs.
Amid threats to DEI, Matthew Guterl took office as Brown’s new vice president for diversity and inclusion last month. With this appointment, the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity changed its name to the Office of Institutional Diversity
In early March, President Christina Paxson P’19 P’MD’20 touted Guterl’s appointment and the University’s commitment to DEI, writing that “we will continue to celebrate and provide educational opportunities to Brunonians about the wide range of cultures, backgrounds and points of view that add to the richness and intellectual vitality of our community” in a community-wide letter.
As of noon on Friday, Brown has not yet received official communication from the White House on the freeze, Clark wrote.
Cate Latimer is a university news editor covering faculty, University Hall and higher education. She is from Portland, OR, and studies English and Urban Studies. In her free time, you can find her playing ultimate frisbee or rewatching episodes of Parks and Rec.
