Key Takeaways:
- A student journalist at Brown University faced investigation for asking administrative staff questions about their roles and impact on students.
- The university dropped the investigation but said it followed standard procedures.
- The incident highlights the challenges universities face in balancing free expression and campus conduct codes.
- A student newspaper, The Brown Spectator, has faced pushback for publishing opinions that some find controversial.
- Supporters argue that universities should protect students’ right to ask tough questions and share opinions, even if unpopular.
A Simple Question Leads to Controversy
At Brown University, a sophomore named Alex Shieh found himself at the center of a controversy after sending an email to university staff. Shieh, a writer for The Brown Spectator, a student newspaper, asked employees in the Department of Government Efficiency to explain their roles and how students would be affected if their jobs didn’t exist.
The questions were part of an effort to understand how the university spends its money and whether certain administrative positions are necessary. However, not everyone saw it that way. Some staff members, including those in the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, were unhappy with the questions. This led to Shieh and two other students being investigated for possible violations of the university’s code of student conduct.
The Investigation and Aftermath
The investigation was eventually dropped, but the incident raised concerns about free speech on campus. Shieh explained that his questions were meant to highlight the cost of higher education and encourage transparency. “It’s not inherently conservative to want to make education more affordable,” he said.
This wasn’t the first time The Brown Spectator faced pushback. Benjamin Marcus, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, wrote an editorial arguing that a vibrant campus depends on the freedom to ask hard questions, publish unpopular opinions, and hold powerful institutions accountable. The editorial upset some at the university, leading to disciplinary action against Marcus.
Marcus described the experience as “confusing” and said he didn’t want to pick a fight with the university. “I just want the paper to be alive and well,” he said.
Free Speech vs. Campus Conduct Codes
The incident at Brown University highlights a larger challenge for colleges and universities. For years, schools have struggled to balance protecting students’ right to express themselves with enforcing codes of conduct that prevent harassment or harmful behavior.
Glenn C. Loury, an economics professor at Brown, suggested that the university’s actions against the students weren’t the wisest move. He argued that the incident reflects broader tensions around free speech on campus.
Brian Clark, a spokesman for Brown, defended the university’s actions, stating that it followed standard procedures for handling conduct violations. “Brown proceeded in complete accordance with free expression guarantees and appropriate procedural safeguards under University policies and applicable law,” he said.
Relaunching a Student Voice
Despite the challenges, The Brown Spectator is determined to continue its mission. After a 10-year hiatus, the newspaper relaunched this fall, aiming to give students a platform to express their opinions and hold the university accountable.
For Shieh and Marcus, the experience has only strengthened their commitment to journalism and free speech. “There’s no way they’re going to charge us,” Marcus and his fellow editors joked before the investigation. But as they learned, even simple questions can spark big controversies.
Conclusion
The situation at Brown University shows how tricky it can be for schools to navigate free speech and campus conduct. While the investigation into Shieh and his fellow journalists was dropped, the incident has sparked important conversations about the role of student journalism and the importance of asking tough questions.
As The Brown Spectator continues to publish, its team hopes to prove that a vibrant campus depends on the freedom to express ideas, even when those ideas are unpopular.