Letters & Writings
Letter to the Community
September 6, 2016 Dear Members of the Boston University Community, Let me begin by welcoming everyone for the start of the fall semester at Boston University. The new academic year revitalizes our campus; the energy and... More
Message from President Brown about Elie Wiesel
July 3, 2016 Dear Colleagues, As you will have heard, our colleague and friend, Elie Wiesel, passed away yesterday at the age of 87. People around the world are mourning the passing of one of the... More
Statement on Hate Placards Found on Campus
May 3, 2016 Dear Friends, Many of you will have seen or read news accounts about placards containing very hateful messages and symbols that were posted around our campus within the last 48 hours. I am... More
Re-Envisioning the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground
April 29, 2016 Dear Members of the Boston University Community, The Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground is a very special part of our Boston University community. In December I charged a committee of faculty, staff, More
Response to Congressional Endowment Inquiry
April 1, 2016 The Honorable Orrin Hatch, Chairman Senate Committee on Finance 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Kevin Brady, Chairman, House Committee on Ways and Means The Honorable Peter J. Roskam, Chairman, House Oversight Subcommittee 1102... More
State of the University, Spring 2016
March 14, 2016 Dear Members of the BU Community, As you receive this letter, our students are returning from spring break and the energy in our classrooms is focused on what remains of the semester and... More
President’s Letter on Inclusion, Fall 2015
December 2, 2015 To the students, staff, and faculty of Boston University, The recent student activism at many of our nation’s universities—including our own—is bringing important attention to issues of race and inclusivity on campus, with... More
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... More
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... More
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... More