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Fall 2026 | Issue 37
Dear Brown Parents and Family Members,
Welcome to the 2026–27 academic year. It has been a pleasure meeting so many students and families during move-in, Orientation, the Parent and Family Welcome, and Convocation. These moments remind us of the excitement, hope and many emotions that accompany the beginning of a new year.
This year carries particular significance for Brown. President Christina H. Paxson recently announced that this will be her final academic year as president. Throughout her tenure, she has been a steadfast champion for Brown’s students and a strong supporter of the academic, personal and community experiences that help them thrive. We are grateful to have another year to benefit from her leadership and to continue advancing the work she has supported across the University.
We also begin this year mindful of the profound loss and disruption our community experienced following the shooting last December. Healing takes time, and students may experience the year ahead in different ways. Brown continues to strengthen campus safety, emergency preparedness, and coordinated systems of care. Just as importantly, we remain committed to fostering a community in which students look out for one another, know how to seek help and feel supported when they do.
Our shared work across the College and Campus Life connects what students experience inside and outside the classroom. We want students to engage fully with the Open Curriculum, develop meaningful relationships, care for their wellbeing, learn across differences and prepare for lives of usefulness and reputation. This requires us to continually reenergize and rethink our work — strengthening coordination, listening carefully to students and using evidence to determine where new approaches are needed.
Families are essential partners in this process. Your support continues to matter, even as students become more independent. You can help by encouraging your student to build relationships with faculty, advisors, deans and campus resources; to seek assistance before a concern becomes a more significant issue; and to take increasing ownership of their decisions and experiences. Growth is rarely a straight path, and asking for help is a sign of judgment and strength.
We are honored to support your students during this important chapter. Thank you for the trust you place in Brown and for the many ways you help your students approach the year with curiosity, resilience and care for others.
Warmly,
Patricia Poitevien Ethan Pollock
Vice President for Campus Life Dean of the College
Brown's 263rd Convocation
On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, members of the Brown community welcomed more than 3,000 of our newest students in a celebration on the College Green. President Christina H. Paxson opened the University’s 263rd academic year by urging students to be curious, courageous, and embrace the unique opportunities of a Brown education. Professor James Kellner delivered the keynote address, “Why Openness and a Willingness to Take Risks Will Drive Your Success at Brown and Beyond.” Read more about the 263rd Convocation.
What Students Say About…
What they wish they knew when they first arrived at Brown.
Nadia Patel, 2029
"I wish I had known that you don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Brown has so many opportunities, and it can feel like you need to say yes to everything or immediately find your people and your place. Give yourself time to explore, change your mind, and enjoy the little moments along the way. Some of the best parts of Brown happen when you least expect them!"
Indy Singh, 2029
"I wish I knew that it is so much more worthwhile to spend your time with your peers. You can be in the library, on the main green, your dorm lounge, or anywhere else rather than just staying in your room alone. The relationships you build here are so important for your growth and enjoyment at Brown and beyond."
Michelle Feng, 2028
"Exploring is okay! I came into freshman year thinking that I was going to study Computer Science. However, my exploratory advisor suggested that I take different classes from diverse departments. I ended up loving my economics and science courses, which led me to pursue concentrations that I never would have thought about before. Now, I’m involved in a lot of new activities, ranging from remote sensing research to geology field trips."
Charles McPherson, 2029
"TA office hours are incredibly useful and it is not embarrassing to get help. The TA’s have taken the classes before and therefore have great advice in how to approach the topic."
Family Weekend registration will open on September 22. From Friday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 25, 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 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.
Did You Know?
As President Christina H. Paxson begins her 15th and final academic year at Brown, she has outlined her priorities for 2026–27 and reflected on the University’s next chapter.
In a letter to the Brown community, President Paxson highlighted efforts to strengthen safety, security and community well-being while continuing to advance Brown’s academic mission, research, strength and resilience. She also emphasized the importance of Brown’s open, collaborative, curiosity-driven and student-centered model as the University navigates a changing higher-education landscape. President Paxson will step down at the end of the spring semester, and Chancellor Brian T. Moynihan has announced that the Corporation will launch a national search for Brown’s 20th president.
Brown has welcomed a new Dean of Students, a University-wide role focused on helping students navigate their experience and access support when they need it.
Dorsey Spencer, who joined Brown this summer as Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Campus Life, works across the University to strengthen the ways undergraduate, graduate, and medical students connect with resources, engage in campus life, and navigate challenges and community expectations. He also leads several of the offices students may turn to throughout their time at Brown, including Student Support Services, Student Accessibility Services, the Student Activities Office, and Student Conduct and Community Standards.
Brown leaders reaffirmed University values and community standards.
In a message to the Brown community, Provost Francis J. Doyle III, Vice President for Campus Life Patricia Poitevien and Vice President for Human Resources Marie Williams encouraged students, faculty and staff to engage with curiosity and openness, respect differing perspectives and help ensure that all members of the community can fully participate in Brown’s teaching, learning and campus life.
Brown is taking a thoughtful, campus-wide approach to generative AI in teaching and learning.
Faculty and students across disciplines are exploring both the opportunities and challenges of AI, while the University develops guidance to support its thoughtful and responsible use. Learn more about Brown’s new AI resources and course policy tools from the Office of the Provost. For a broader look at Brown’s approach, read a Q&A with Provost Francis J. Doyle III and Associate Provost for AI Michael Littman about academic integrity, student and faculty perspectives, clear course expectations, and how Brown is approaching AI while preserving meaningful learning and critical thinking.
President Paxson and Chancellor Moynihan shared findings from an external review of the Dec. 13 shooting at Brown and a new Safety and Security Action Plan.
The action plan outlines work completed and underway to strengthen campus safety, preparedness and emergency response. The University also published an FAQ on the External Reviews of Safety and Security at Brown, which addresses common questions about the events surrounding Dec. 13 and serves as a companion to the report. All members of the Brown community are encouraged to review both resources.
As Brown continues its long-term work of healing and recovery following the events of December 13, the University has established a new office to provide dedicated support for students most directly affected.
The Office of Student Recovery and Care (OSRC) is an extension of Brown’s broader Ever True Roadmap to Recovery and builds on the coordinated support provided to students since December. OSRC provides students with a consistent point of contact to coordinate academic, health, financial, residential, and other University resources based on their individual needs. The office complements the resources and recovery efforts that remain available to the broader Brown community.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will speak at Brown on Sept. 22 as part of the University’s Ogden Memorial Lecture series.
In a talk titled Leadership, Democracy and the Evolving Global Landscape, Trudeau will reflect on his decade as prime minister and discuss democracy, international alliances, Canada-U.S. relations, institutional trust and civic engagement. The free, ticketed lecture is open to the Brown community and the public. Learn more about Trudeau’s visit and the Ogden Memorial Lecture.
There are many ways families can stay connected with and support their student throughout the Brown experience.
Brown’s Support Your Student page brings together practical ways to show you care — from sending a letter or package, to ordering a birthday cake or planning a special meal — along with guidance for times when a student may need additional support. Families can also find information about Student Support Services, the Administrator on Call and other resources available to help students build connections, navigate challenges and seek help when they need it.
On the Horizon
October 12 | Indigenous Peoples' Day. No University Exercises 
December 5 | Mid-Year Completion Ceremony |
October 23-25 | Family Weekend
December 12-21| Final Exam Period |
November 25-29 | Thanksgiving Recess |
Slice of Life
A Little Flower, A Lot of Joy
On a sunny spring day, Bruno Leaders Verena Welch ’28, Abigail Mammo ’28 and Michelle Bi ’28 took to the College Green with a simple idea: hand out flowers and brighten a few people’s days. The trio, who help lead New Student Orientation and other early transition experiences for new students, invited fellow Brunonians to stop by, pick a flower and take a few minutes to connect. “Students were really excited to sit outside, pick a flower, and more importantly, be reminded of how much we care for each other as members of the Brown community,” Verena said. Relive the moment in this video by Anthony Saccoccia.
Links and Resources
for Families
