Members: President Simmons, Provost Kertzer, Karen Davis, Margaret Klawunn, Marisa Quinn, Bill Twaddell, David Cutts, Suzanne de la Monte, Chi-Ming Hai, Marida Hollos, Evelyn Hu-Dehart, Lynne Joyrich, David Sheinberg, Brian Becker, Alison Cohen, Michael Glassman, Clay Wertheimer, Lauren Buckel, Joseph Bush, Heather Lee, Gillian Bell, Yolanda Castillo-Appollonio, Nancy Fjeldheim, Merle Krueger, Paul Magliocco, Marlene Cutitar, Charlie Kroll, and Ken McDaniel were in attendance. Vince Tompkins, Anthony Cokes, Stephen Foley, Timothy Herbert, Subha Subramanian, Esther Dorzin, Kartik Venkatesh, Kathleen Rossi, and Damon Rarick were unable to attend.

The minutes of the February 10, 2009 meeting were approved.

Dick Spies, Executive Vice President for Planning and Senior Advisor to the President, reviewed Brown’s role in developing a knowledge-based economy in Rhode Island. The University has been participating in planning studies at both the state and local level. The investments Brown has made in the Jewelry District are an example of the University’s commitment to Rhode Island’s economic development. The Laboratories for Molecular Medicine located at 70 Ship Street opened in August 2004. The University has purchased several properties in the Jewelry District and is proposing to house its Medical Education facility in one of the properties. Brown, in partnership with the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, is opening the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) which will be located at 1 Davol Square, a Brown-owned property. The Center’s purpose is to enhance and support a culture of entrepreneurship in Rhode Island.

Provost Kertzer, gave an update on the status of the plan of action outlined in the Response of Brown University to the Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice. The plan is comprised of 12 action steps in three broad areas: memorials and commemorations; academic initiatives; and community initiatives. He reported that the Commission to Commemorate the History of Slavery in Rhode Island recently released its final report with recommendations. He also reported that a search is underway to recruit one or more faculty members who could, with existing faculty, participate in and provide leadership for the Center for Slavery and Justice. Lastly, he informed the Council that the Fund for the Education of the Children of Providence is expected to make its first award this spring, and the Urban Education Fellows Program will graduate its first Fellows in May.

David Kennedy, Vice President for International Affairs, reviewed several programs initiated in response to the recommendation in Phase II of the Plan for Academic Enrichment to ensure that Brown is a truly global university. The Brown International Scholars Program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to make international studies an integral part of their Brown curriculum. A Graduate Colloquia grant provides an opportunity for graduate students to invite scholars to campus and catalyze discussion on a topic of relevance to their study from an international perspective. Grants are available to faculty who are developing new courses or revising existing ones by inviting guest speakers or developing other initiatives that will bring an international perspective to the subject. Seed grants are available to encourage and support more advanced research and analysis in collaboration with global peers to enable the international investigation of important questions and problems. Beginning in June 2009, University will convene an annual series of high-level academic institutes. Organized by discipline and designed and run by recognized scholars, each institute will address the cutting-edge questions of the field.

Due to time constraints, the presentation on Brown’s Diversity Efforts to be given by Brenda Allen was deferred.

The next meeting of the Brown University Community Council will be held on April 14, 2009 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm in Leung Gallery, Faunce House.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine Pincince,
Secretary of the Brown University Community Council