The University Archives at the John Hay Library now holds a new collection dedicated to capturing the community’s response to the tragic shooting on December 13. This effort aims to preserve a record of the diverse experiences surrounding that day.
Jennifer Betts, the director of the Hay and University Archivist, shared that discussions about this collection started soon after the incident. “We knew people would want to look back and understand what students, staff, and faculty experienced,” she explained.
Community members can contribute to this collection. They can donate items like artwork, photographs, texts, and social media posts through a Google form set up by the University Archives. These materials will be stored in the Hay Library and an off-campus annex, accessible to the community in the Gildor Family Special Collections Reading Room.
There’s no strict timeline for this project. Betts hopes this approach allows the Brown community to heal and process the event thoughtfully. “We want to proceed with empathy and sensitivity,” she said. “I imagine we’ll be receiving materials for over a year.”
The Undergraduate Council of Students (UCS) is helping with outreach, making it easier to connect with the student body. “We reached out right after winter break to collaborate on ideas,” said UCS Treasurer Alexa Theodoropoulos ’27. She emphasized the significance of documenting such an impactful event in the university’s history. “It’s been beautiful to see how the community has come together,” she added.
Among the contributions is a poignant illustrated poem by Koji Hellman, a junior at the Rhode Island School of Design. Inspired by a call for art on Brown’s Instagram, Hellman created a piece reflecting on love and connection within the community, particularly brought to mind by the 2024 solar eclipse. “I hope it emphasizes the importance of protecting and loving one another,” he shared.
This project reflects a growing trend in universities to archive modern events and community responses. As experts in archival studies suggest, documenting such experiences provides future generations with a deeper understanding of collective sentiments during pivotal times. Engaging with our experiences today can help shape our narratives for tomorrow.
