Design of Brown's institutional values ​​that are to be published in March

The Brown University Community Council-a Forum for Members of the Brown community to discuss questions related to university-related people, held a public session on Thursday to discuss the progress in the initiative of the university for the definition of its basic values ​​and the administrative priorities in view of the latest federal actions.

At the meeting, James Kellner, professor and chairman of the AD -HOC committee, who was commissioned with institutional values ​​and voice, announced plans to share an official explanation of the university values ​​at the end of March.

The committee was announced in December 2024 after the university was criticized because it lacked a clearly defined series of institutional values ​​during its sale process, the Herald previously reported. Membership comprises six respected faculty members, three students and two administrators.

Kellner said that the design of the university values ​​is strongly influenced by Brown's mission statement that expresses the university's commitment to promote knowledge through free examination.

“This mission statement tells us what we need to know,” he said. “It doesn't tell us what the basic values ​​are, but the basic values ​​are the things that make it possible to meet the key payment.”

Kellner said that the declaration of values ​​will follow the historical traditions of the university and determine “responsibilities for the university in its institutional sense and for its members”.

“It must be clear what we all expect,” he said.

During the meeting, the participants expressed concerns how the values ​​would match Brown's story.

Senior Vice President for Communication Cass Cliot recognized the concerns and said: “We found moments in history when we didn't do our ideals … but it doesn't mean that the ideal is not there.”

According to Kellner, the committee will be kept in the town halls in April in April with students, faculties, employees and alumni before presenting their elaborated values ​​for a vote at the faculty meeting in May.

At the meeting on Thursday, President Christina Paxson P'19 P'MD'20 also discussed Brown's priorities in view of the recent threats for researching funds and the initiatives as part of the Trump administration. Her remarks revolved around “Brown Defense”.

Paxson said that the university is committed to taking measures on both internal and external level.

Internally, Brown's goal is to be “quick and reaction fast”, to follow developments efficiently and to react at the right time, said Paxson. “We take every opportunity to ensure that our community understands what's going on.”

She also discussed Brown's external reaction, including the lobbying of the university, the team of government relationships and the presence in Washington, DC

“I think we have to stand up strongly to maintain our mission,” said Paxson. “And we said very openly that we will exercise our legal rights if necessary.”

Paxson said the administrators were “concerned about access” for brown training.

Paxson was concerned about the financial support of the federal government and Dei and said that the administration, although it uses Brown all the time, are now doing this in a “more targeted way”.

“We follow the existing law, but we have continued to confirm our commitment to diversity and inclusion and its central role in promoting our academic mission,” she said. “My advice is just going on.”

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Roma Shah

Roma Shah is a manager who reports the university hall and university education. She is a newcomer to Morgan Hill, CA and examines the neurosciences. In her free time, she can puzzle, hike or roll up with a book.