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.

Trump’s proposed budget rescissions targets foreign aid, public broadcasting, and global health programs drawing praise from fiscal conservatives and outrage from humanitarian groups
Backed by federal funding and local partnerships, the 20,000-square-foot center offers wraparound services — from addiction treatment to dentistry, food, housing support, and more — regardless of a patient’s ability to pay
A Rhode Island school liaison warns that proposed federal budget cuts could dismantle vital supports for students experiencing homelessness across the state
New Rhode Island laws will require AEDs on golf courses, expand Narcan training to lifeguards and park rangers, extend the state’s safe injection site, and formalize a 30-day wait before adult road tests
$14.3B spending plan nixes new capital projects in favor of extra money for Washington Bridge rebuild