Family updates for the new semester.
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Fall 2024 | Issue 33
Dear Brown Parents and Family Members,
Each fall brings a sense of excitement to Brown's campus for a new school year filled with the promise of personal growth, discovery and learning. As classes get underway, our community is buzzing with anticipation for the semester ahead.
Whether this is your student's first year at Brown or their graduation is on the horizon, sending them to campus is a significant moment. Be assured that Brown faculty and staff are dedicated to fostering a supportive community where your students can thrive academically and personally.
Throughout its history, Brown has been a community rooted in the belief that diversity of perspective is central to achieving academic excellence and preparing students to lead in a complex world. Many of our students engage in activism and civic participation, fostered by an environment where open discourse is not just encouraged, but integral to the educational experience. Here, students learn to advocate for their beliefs and engage in societal issues that matter to them. The skills they develop in respectful dialogue and thoughtful exchange of ideas contribute to the development of informed, engaged citizens. Later in this email, you will find some communications and resources supporting this effort.
Your role in your student’s academic journey is invaluable. Thank you for your continued support and partnership; we look forward to sharing this journey with you and your student. Here's to a successful and inspiring academic year ahead!
Warm Regards,
Mikele St-Germain
Director of Parent and Family Engagement
What Students Say About…
Returning to Campus
Asher Patel '28
“Shopping period was refreshing. It allowed me to gauge feelings about the class from workload to size to if I enjoyed the readings. Also, with the recent activity fair, I’m looking forward to finding more friends and communities. I recently went to a ping pong club event and have talked with a lot of the political groups and publications on campus!"
Tommy Medlin '27
“Much of my schedule this semester was predetermined by my major and pre-medical requirements, which left me with two free classes I could shop for. I ultimately chose introductory biology and an introductory political science course because I found the material and professors for these classes more interesting and compelling. This tends to happen with Brown's shopping period — the classes you expect to take often don't work out or aren't interesting, and you find something you never would have imagined enjoying. This ability to flexibly alter one's schedule is a luxury not common at other universities."
Nick Lee '26
“I’m so excited to be back on campus and to see all of my best friends from Brown! I spent the summer teaching in Michigan so I’m enjoying being on the other side of student life again. I am especially hyped to start leading student organizations again, including the Class Coordinating Board (CCB) and Students for Educational Equity (SEE). Shopping period has also been such a blast – now that I’m a junior, I am taking more upper-level seminars, and I have focused on exploring International and Public Affairs (IAPA) courses that are framed by the upcoming election."
Minnie Zhang '25
“It feels like yesterday I stepped through the Van Wickle Gates! I'm super excited to start planning for Senior Week, a culmination of service after four years as Public Relations Officer for Class Coordinating Board. My friends and I want to make the best of our final year, and not just academically. We've made a bucket list to explore Providence's local bar scene and hike! Currently, we're all playing fantasy football. Only one of our friends knows how football works, but the rest of us have the spirit of hope, the thrill of camaraderie, and artificial intelligence."
Brown's 261st Convocation
On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, members of the Brown community welcomed more than 3,200 of our newest students in a celebration on the College Green. President Christina H. Paxson opened the University’s 261st academic year by encouraging students to build relationships across differences, be curious and courageous, and embrace the magic of the Brown experience. Dr. Ashish K. Jha, dean of Brown’s School of Public Health, delivered the keynote address, “Curiosity, Courage and Conviction: Your Brown Journey to a Healthier World.”
Did You Know?
You can share your career advice and insight with Brown students.
The Center for Career Exploration continues to expand how Brown students connect with alumni and parents for career exploration, guidance, and expertise. Fill out the career interest form to register as a connection to students as they explore their career interests in various industries.
Brown has over 400 active student organizations.
In collaboration with the Undergraduate Council of Students, on Sept. 5, the Student Activities Office (SAO) hosted the annual Student Activities Fair on the College Green. Four hundred student organizations participated, connecting with both new and returning students. SAO’s Student Groups page provides information about student organizations and how to contact them.
Family Weekend registration will open on September 30.
From Friday, Oct. 25, through Sunday, Oct. 27, families can experience a taste of Brown University with a weekend full of opportunities to learn and connect with our campus community. Highlights will include academic panels, info sessions, sporting events, student performances, open houses, wellness events, a WaterFire reception, a family movie night on the green and more! Bookmark the Family Weekend website and refer back often – program details will be added throughout the fall.
Parent & Family Welcome recordings are now available.
First-year families, did you miss any panel sessions at the Parent and Family Welcome during Orientation? You can now watch recordings of the panel sessions "Promoting Your Student's Well-Being at Brown," "Career Exploration," and "Navigating the Transition to College Life." Each panel session was led by senior administrators from the College and the Division of Campus Life.
President Paxson and Provost Doyle outline priorities and values.
In her welcome message to the Brown community, President Christina H. Paxson outlined priorities for the year ahead, highlighting recent achievements of Brown students and faculty and sharing plans to advance Brown’s rigorous and high-impact scholarship and research.
Provost Francis J. Doyle III, EVP Russell Carey and VP Marie Williams shared Brown University values, policies and standards, reminding our community about Brown’s four central priorities at a time when colleges and universities across the country are experiencing tensions over national and international events: protecting the safety of our community; fostering open and respectful learning environments; providing care and empathy to affected members of our community; and taking the strongest possible stance against any form of bias, discrimination or harassment.
You can view recent messages from senior administrators on Brown's websites.
Brown communicates directly with students in many ways, including email, newsletters and Today@Brown. Many important messages from senior leaders across Brown are posted on departmental websites, including messages from the president, the provost, and Campus Life leadership.
Recent messages with essential and timely information for students and the Brown community include: (1) Communicating with students amid global events, (2) Important information re: nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policies (3) Follow-up guidance to avoid violating Brown’s nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policy.
On the Horizon
October 14 Indigenous Peoples' Day. No University Exercises. |
October 25 - 27 Family Weekend |
November 27 - December 1 Thanksgiving Recess |
Slice of Life
National Voter Registration Day
For National Voter Registration Day on September 17, students with Brown Votes — a nonpartisan, University-wide initiative committed to cultivating participation in the nation’s democratic process — visited the College Green to register voters ahead of the November election. In addition to handing out more than 500 scoops of Ben & Jerry’s new “Churn Out the Vote” ice cream flavor, Brown Votes connected with over 1,000 students, collected hundreds of paper voter registration and absentee ballot request forms, and provided support for students who preferred to complete those processes online. Since it was founded in 2020, Brown Votes, with support from Brown’s Swearer Center, has collaborated with students, faculty and staff to increase and highlight opportunities for civic engagement, during election season and beyond. Read more in News from Brown.
Photo by Nick Dentamaro.
Links and Resources
for Families
