Distributed October 17, 2001
For Immediate Release
News Service Contact: Mark Nickel



The Corporation of Brown University

Corporation unanimously supports goals outlined by President Simmons

In her first full meeting with the University’s governing body since being sworn in July 3, Brown President Ruth J. Simmons received enthusiastic and unanimous support for her goals of strengthening the University’s academic mission.

PROVIDENCE — At the Oct. 11-13, 2001, meeting of the Corporation of Brown University, Brown President Ruth J. Simmons presented a preliminary report on the state of the University and described her goals for strengthening the University’s academic mission. She received the Corporation’s enthusiastic and unanimous support.

“The members of the Corporation enthusiastically endorsed the President’s priorities, which include faculty resources, research opportunities, and financial support for graduate and undergraduate students,” said Chancellor Stephen Robert in a message to the Brown community.

This was the first full meeting of the University’s governing body since Simmons was sworn in as president July 3. Thirteen standing committees of the Corporation met during the weekend, including a “town meeting” sponsored jointly by the Committee on Student Life and the Committee on Athletics. That meeting included students, faculty and staff discussing service and leadership at the University.

Simmons attended six committee meetings and made presentations at two general sessions of the Corporation.

Among other actions taken during the weekend, the Corporation:

  • Engaged eight new members of the Board of Trustees: Bernicestine McLeod Bailey ’68, John Seely Brown ’62, Craig M. Cogut ’75, Paul R. Dupee Jr. ’65, Kenneth R. Fitzsimmons Jr. ’68, Laura Geller ’71, Jeffrey W. Greenberg ’73, and Javette Laremont ’80.


  • Established the Jeffrey and Kimberly Greenberg – Artemis and Martha Joukowsky Professorship in Gastroenterology at the Brown Medical School, to be held ex officio by the chief of gastroenterology. This professorship was a gift of Jeffrey W. Greenberg ’73, Kimberly E. Greenberg, Artemis A. W. Joukowsky ’55, and Martha S. Joukowsky ’58.


  • Approved a number of faculty appointments, including William G. Cioffi, professor of surgery to become the J. Murray Beardsley Professor of Surgery and professor of surgery, effective Oct. 1, 2001, and Jack Raymond Wands, professor of medicine, to become the Jeffrey and Kimberly Greenberg – Artemis and Martha Joukowsky Professor in Gastroenterology and professor of medicine, effective Oct. 1, 2001.


  • Approved an amendment to a bond resolution, previously approved, which will allow the University to borrow funds to construct the Facilities Management Building, to undertake renovations and improvements to academic space, and to acquire or construct a library storage facility (pending appropriate approvals of a specific plan for such a facility). With this additional approval, the University will issue $52.8 million in new bonds this fall for these projects and others, including Pembroke dormitory renovations.


  • Approved the demolition of three properties (60 Olive St., 185 Meeting St. and 201 Meeting St.) in order to make room for the Life Sciences Building, which had previously received approval for construction on that site. The Sarah Doyle Women’s Center and the U.S. Post Office, previously located at 185 and 201 Meeting St. respectively, have already been relocated on campus. The Facilities Management offices and shops currently housed at 60 Olive St. will be temporarily relocated while a new building is planned and constructed.

In addition, the Committee on Facilities and Design agreed with the Administration’s desire to proceed with planning for a library storage facility. These plans may include renovating an existing structure for this purpose or building a new facility. The site and financing remain subject to review and approval by the Committee and the full Corporation. The urgent need for such a facility near the campus was recognized by the members of the Committee, who have encouraged the Administration to proceed quickly so that library acquisitions may increase as needed.

######