Thank you for meeting with me and Dean Bakkegard on Tuesday and for the thoughtful questions and feedback you shared. We understand the time and care you invest in your communities, and we want to ensure you have a clear understanding of what is changing — and what remains the same — in the specialized housing process.

Before delving into the details, I would like to provide some background. Over the past year, Brown has taken steps to ensure there is a clear, shared understanding that all students must have equitable access to programs, activities, and residential experiences. For example, race-themed programs, activities, and affinity centers are fully permissible, but race, ethnicity, or national origin cannot be eligibility criteria for participation. The same principle applies to sex, gender, and other identity characteristics. This is one important context for the updates we are making.

Another key reason is to make the specialized housing process fairer, more equitable, and more transparent. Under the new model, students interested in a program or theme community will indicate their interest directly in the housing application and participate in a randomized placement lottery. This more open and consistent process ensures that any student who is interested in a community has the opportunity to be considered.

The core of the program community experience remains unchanged. Program communities will continue to be student-led, mission-driven residential communities that bring together students with shared interests to build community and connection. Your leadership, programming, and traditions continue to be central to the functioning of these houses.

We appreciate your input, and will use it as we implement these changes over the coming weeks and months. For example, we have heard a concern regarding continuity for current leaders and members. To support that, Residential Life will:

• Pre-assign a limited number of community leaders so key roles can remain in-house, and

• Reserve a percentage of each community’s allotment for returning residents.

Over the coming weeks, ResLife staff will follow up with each community to:

• Confirm leadership pre-assignments,

• Discuss semester-level distributions and returning resident lottery processes, and

• Hear your thoughts and answer questions about how the new process will work for your community.

We will also post updated information and high-level timelines on the Residential Life website, providing a central location for students with questions.

Thank you again for your ongoing work and for your collaboration as we move into this new model. We are committed to partnering with you to maintain strong, vibrant Greek and program communities within a more consistent and accessible housing process.

Warmly,

Brenda Ice (she/her)
Assistant Vice President for Residential and Community Living
Office of Residential Life