Statement from the President
March 16, 2008
Dear Members of the Brown Community,
Early Saturday, Providence Police notified our Public Safety Department that two incendiary devices were thrown at the off-campus residence of an employee of Brown/RISD Hillel. While the motivation for this incident is unclear at this time, I am concerned about any acts of violence affecting members of our community. I want you to know what we are doing to assist Hillel and the employee in this situation.
Russell Carey and his staff are working with the director of Hillel to address any safety concerns at the Brown/RISD building as well as to secure alternative housing for the employee. I have assured the director that we will do anything possible to assist students and staff who may fear similar acts. At the same time, although this took place off-campus, we are trying to determine if there is more that we can do to prevent this kind of activity from recurring.
There is nothing more unsettling on a campus than to have acts that might seek to spread fear, intimidate, or harm individuals. Swift action to condemn such behavior and strongly restate our values of openness and mutual respect is an essential step at such moments. I ask each member of the community to join me in doing that.
Ruth J. Simmons
President