Brown University has faced serious criticism for its handling of security issues. This scrutiny intensified after a tragic shooting that left two students dead and nine others injured. Critics argue that the school has been more focused on maintaining its image than ensuring student safety.
The shooting occurred in an engineering building that lacked key security features, like a swipe-card access system. Students reported that anyone could enter through a public coffee shop without any security checks. Unlike other buildings, this one did not have an officer stationed at the front.
Alarmingly, when the shooting happened, it took 17 minutes from the 911 call for the university to alert students. A recent timeline from the student newspaper highlights this delay.
Even members of the university’s own security staff have voiced concerns. In 2023, an administrator reportedly ignored a credible shooting threat, allowing an event intended for children to proceed despite police warnings about a potential attack. This threat came from a former assistant football coach displaying alarming behavior, who even mapped out plans to carry out a shooting on campus.
Statements made by the suspect were chilling. He indicated a willingness to harm others, claiming that some violence was necessary for change. However, Brown’s public safety department brushed off these warnings, saying they lacked credible intelligence.
In another troubling incident from 2021, Brown allegedly failed to inform Providence police about a bomb threat and a gunman on campus. Reports suggest it took hours to act, with security officers feeling the pressure to prioritize the university’s reputation over student safety. One officer even claimed the university altered reports to downplay the incident.
Michael Greco, a long-serving safety officer, developed PTSD after these events and took legal action against Brown. He expressed concerns that the university’s focus on its image was endangering lives.
In 2025, Brown’s security face significant backlash, including two votes of no confidence against the university’s police chief, Rodney Chatman. An editorial in the Brown Daily Herald labeled the security problems a “threat to public safety,” emphasizing the school’s failure to protect students.
While President Christina Paxon expressed sadness over the criticism, many are left wondering how far safety measures need to go to ensure that students are protected. Student responses on social media reflect a call for change, with hashtags like #SafetyFirst gaining traction as a rallying cry for improved security.
The ongoing dialogue at Brown mirrors broader trends in university security across the country. Schools are grappling with how to effectively balance openness and accessibility with the need for safety. As incidents of violence in educational settings increase, many are asking not if but when schools will finally take decisive action for better security.
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