Brown University’s mission “to serve the community, the nation and the world by discovering, communicating and preserving knowledge and understanding in a spirit of free inquiry” is at the heart of all we do. It is up to all of us who care about academic freedom to do what we can to protect the conditions that make such free inquiry possible. We are reaching out now to inquire about a business relationship that would be at cross-purposes with this mission.

In a period of national crisis in higher education, the stakes of appointing Brown’s next president couldn’t be higher. For this reason, Brown's chapter of the American Association of University Professors calls on the Corporation to meaningfully include faculty in the search and selection of a new chief executive officer who will prioritize long-held academic values over short-term strategic or financial goals.

The Brown chapter of the AAUP together with the Brown Rise Up and Stand Strong Brown call on the University to adopt the following commitments, which reflect best practices among peer institutions and are essential to protecting campus trust, safety, and academic freedom.

In the wake of the horrific act of gun violence on our campus, the Brown chapter of the AAUP expresses its strong support for President Christina Paxson and the rest of the university's leadership and staff. We grieve the loss of life, irreparable bodily and psychological harm, and the violation of our community’s peace.

Brown, along with eight other universities, has been presented with what the federal government is calling their “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” We have been told that failing to sign would jeopardize Brown’s federal funding. The “invitation” to participate in such a pact is the very definition of extortion: sacrifice your principles or face material consequences that will compromise your capacity to fulfill your mission. The day that Brown can no longer choose which faculty to hire, which students to admit, how much tuition is charged, and what standards are used to evaluate academic work is the day we cede the academic freedom at the heart of the university’s mission.

President Christina Paxson’s letter of July 31, 2025 on Brown’s agreement with the federal government assured members of our community that the university’s foremost priority was "remaining true to our academic mission” and “preserving our academic independence.” The Brown University chapter of the AAUP is committed to the rule of law, but it must be emphasized that both the government’s withholding of funds and the negotiation of this agreement occurred outside the legal system. Brown was never formally charged with breaking any law and this document addresses no legal policy. The document is, in the parlance of President Trump himself, a “deal,” and one made under enormous financial pressure, given the millions in research funds at stake.