Dear Members of the Brown Community,

As we prepare for Commencement, we are writing to reinforce community standards for respect for others and to share tips and guidance to help ensure that all students and families have equal opportunities to mark this important milestone.

Brown is a community whose members value engaging in various forms of expression as a powerful means of advocacy and support. We therefore continue to ensure that there is a shared understanding among all who will participate in this momentous weekend that expression is permissible, but becomes unacceptable when it compromises the safety and security of others, or interferes in the rights of others to engage in the activities or operations of the University. 

We are sharing this message with our full community of students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, families and friends who will be on campus for Brown’s Commencement and Reunion activities. This is a time for community and celebration as the events bring tens of thousands of people to campus to experience the joys and traditions of graduation, reflect on great memories and make new ones.

The following guidance and tips apply to all participants and guests:

• Graduates and guests are not permitted to bring items to Commencement or Reunion events that would obstruct the view or create a safety hazard for others (e.g., large banners, posters, rigid sticks or poles, etc.), and also cannot affix signage, banners or similar displays to any buildings, poles or other structures. 

• Students who choose to adorn their caps and/or gowns with images and/or messages, and alumni and friends who choose to decorate or design their apparel, may do so provided that the content does not violate the University’s codes of conduct and does not discriminate against or harass individuals or groups based on an actual or perceived membership in a protected class. 

• Signage, flags and other forms of expression may be on display, provided that they meet the same nondiscrimination and anti-harassment standards noted above.

• Crowd noise must not interfere with the ability of everyone to enjoy the ceremonies. The weekend is a celebration, and we know that all participants and guests will want to appreciate the graduates, but it’s important that all in attendance also be able to listen to instructions from Brown’s event staff and volunteers who are working very hard to make the weekend a success for all. 

Staff from offices and departments across campus will dedicate significant time in the days ahead to attend to every detail to make Commencement and Reunion weekend possible for the thousands who attend. We want to thank you in advance for all that you will do to cooperate with them.

Brown is known as a community that can have difficult but necessary conversations while demonstrating respect and value for others. We are proud that we are an academic community committed to respecting the views, perspectives and experiences of others, even when individuals disagree. This reflects our core values as a teaching and learning institution.

We hope you will participate in the celebratory events this weekend, and in doing so, that you help ensure that the focus remains on the tremendous accomplishments of our graduating students. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for them. You can learn more about Commencement weekend, including the schedule for all planned events, by visiting https://commencement.brown.edu/. 

We extend our congratulations to our 2025 graduates and their families, while we also recognize the many faculty, staff and student peers who supported our graduates in their journeys to reach this momentous milestone. We hope you share our excitement in joining together as a community in a festive and joyous celebration this weekend. 

Sincerely,

Francis J. Doyle III

Provost

Russell C. Carey

Interim Vice President for Campus Life, Executive Vice President for Planning and Policy

Zack Langway

Vice President for Alumni Relations