New Referendum Asks Brown Undergrads if They Lack Confidence in University’s Leadership

Measure comes after vote to not divest the university’s endowment from companies students say perpetuate human rights abuses against Palestinians

Olivia Ebertz/The Public’s Radio
Share
Olivia Ebertz/The Public’s Radio
New Referendum Asks Brown Undergrads if They Lack Confidence in University’s Leadership
Copy

Brown University’s Undergraduate Council of Students (UCS) sent out a referendum on Oct. 16 asking students to vote on whether they have faith in the university’s leadership, and whether they believe students should be able to elect student representatives to Brown’s corporate board.

Isaac Slevin, who sits on the UCS, said the referendum came in response to several decisions made by either the Corporation of Brown University or administrators that many students did not believe were reflective of student sentiment.

“Students are constantly pushing for things and constantly advocating for ourselves, and the university does not move,” said Slevin.

Last week the corporation voted not to divest the university’s endowment from companies student activists say facilitate human rights abuses in the Palestinian territories despite student support. A Brown Daily Herald poll taken before the announcement indicated that about 60% of students supported the divestment proposal.

A representative for Brown University did not respond to requests for comment on the new referendum.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

A sweeping analysis reveals rising rates of obesity, chronic illness, and mental health issues among American children—signaling a broader societal crisis and casting doubt on current health policies
The award-winning Rhode Island author behind the Horizon series opens up about her childhood inspirations, RV adventures, MFA journey, and what’s next across her many literary identities
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering new legislation filed in response to an investigative series by The Public’s Radio that chronicled the lives of child laborers in New Bedford, the nation’s highest-grossing fishing port