Brown University

Brown University is an American university located in Providence, Rhode Island. It is a member of the Ivy League, and was rated as the 15th best U.S. college in 2007 by U.S. News and World Report [2].

The New Curriculum

Brown prides itself on its "New Curriculum," first established in 1969, which allows students to take virtually any course they want, with no general distribution requirements. Traditional letter grades are optional. [3]

Sharpe Refectory

Brown's main cafeteria is the "Sharpe Refectory", affectionately known as the "Ratty" for good reason.

Slavery and Justice

Brown recently did a study on its own history, and found that the Brown family heavily participated in the slavery trade, finding that slave labor was extremely important in the funding of the university during its early days.

SPG scandal

In 2005, Brown University's "Queer Alliance" threw a raucous party entitled “SexPowerGod,” in Sayles Hall, a large multi-room lecture hall used on occasions for concerts, and containing large portraits of former University officials. According to some reports, a number of students had to receive emergency medical assistance due to over-consumption of alcohol. Reporters with fake ID's attended the event with hidden cameras, resulting in footage which was soon featured on The O'Reilly Factor, where Bill O'Reilly stated "You would have been safer in Baghdad than on the campus of Brown University," and calling Brown president Ruth Simmons and other university leaders "pinheads." [4] The University, on investigation, condemned both Fox News's coverage and the party's poor planning and excess comsuption of alcohol; a report was made into whether Sayles Hall, with its wood-panelled walls and oil portraits, was indeed an appropriate venue for such parties. The Queer Alliance was suspended for one year.

Vandalism of Conservapedia

Recently, at least one Brown University internet user has vandalized Conservapedia.

References

• Brown's report on its historical ties with Slavery