State of the University, Fall 2015
October 2, 2015 Dear Colleagues, The fall semester has started off at the usual hectic pace and already has been marked by several important announcements. Although it is difficult this time of year to find the time needed to reflect on the past year, I hope you will pause to read this letter and take […]
Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey Results
September 24, 2015 Dear Members of the Boston University Community, In July of 2014, I asked Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore and Vice President for Administrative Services Peter Fiedler to convene a task force that would develop and implement a survey on sexual misconduct at Boston University. (The members of the task force are listed […]
Changes to Benefit Plans
July 6, 2015 Dear Colleagues, I am writing to update you on the proposed benefit changes that were recommended by the Employee Benefits Task Force (EBTF). Over the last semester, roughly 1,000 faculty and staff attended meetings to learn about the proposed changes and to ask clarifying questions, and approximately 300 of you shared ideas […]
Letter from President Brown
May 12, 2015 To the Boston University Community: Many members of our community are aware of comments made on social media by Dr. Saida Grundy, who on July 1st will become an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology with an additional appointment in African American Studies. Dr. Grundy’s comments are receiving extensive coverage in […]
State of the University, Spring 2015
February 27, 2015 Dear Colleagues I hope your spring semester is off to a very good start, even with all the disruption caused by the snow. Although our facilities team has done a wonderful job clearing our campuses, we realize that the very significant problems in Boston and surrounding communities are still hampering commuting. I […]
Boston University Employee Benefits Task Force
February 17, 2015 Dear Colleagues Last April I wrote to inform our community about an important initiative to review Boston University’s employee benefits programs. This initiative is part of our ongoing effort to manage BU’s benefit plans so that: we offer benefits that continue to attract excellent faculty and staff we use our financial resources […]
Weather Message from President Brown
February 9, 2015 To All Members of the Boston University Community: As you know, we have endured unprecedented snowfall at Boston University in the last three weeks. Because of our concern for the safety of faculty, staff, and students who commute to campus we made the difficult decision last night to again close both the […]
Testimony to the Committee on Education of the Boston City Council
December 19, 2014 I am pleased to present testimony to your Committee on diversity in higher education, specifically as it pertains to Boston University and its relationship with the City of Boston. I want to begin by saying how important the issue of diversity is to me. I grew up the child of a single […]
State of the University, Fall 2014
October 9, 2014 Dear Colleagues, I hope your fall semester is off to a marvelous start. My annual fall letter is an opportunity for me to update you on the University and to give you a preview of topics we will work to address during the 2014–2015 academic year. This letter builds on my letter […]
New Structure for University Council
September 29, 2014 I am pleased to report that at its meeting earlier this month the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve a revised constitution of the University Council. This vote culminates the discussion of our governance structure that we have conducted across the University and which led to the May 7 vote of […]