Brown University appointed its top diversity, equity, and inclusion official—who has no traditional physical security or emergency response experience—to lead an initiative aimed at restoring a “sense of physical security” on campus following the December 13, 2025 mass shooting that killed two students and injured nine more.
The “Brown Ever True” initiative was announced Jan. 5 by President Christina Paxson. The plan includes expanded mental health services, student feedback on security infrastructure, and educational sessions run through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). An operational team is to be coordinated by Matthew Guterl, Brown’s vice president for diversity and inclusion and professor of Africana Studies.
Guterl’s academic record centers on race relations, human rights, and civil rights history. His published work includes a 2023 memoir about growing up in a multiracial family and scholarly research on historical figures, but there is no public record of expertise in law enforcement, campus safety planning, crisis management, or physical security protocols.
Critics argue the choice underscores a misalignment between the initiative’s title and its leadership. Instead of appointing someone with professional background in security operations or emergency response, the university elevated its leading DEI administrator to oversee campus recovery. Observers say this reflects a broader trend in higher education where ideological priorities are sometimes placed above practical experience.
The initiative comes as Brown faces a federal review by the U.S. Department of Education for possible Clery Act violations related to delayed emergency notifications and other safety lapses during the December shooting. Campus authorities took nearly 20 minutes to alert students after the attack began and initially communicated inaccurate information about the suspect’s status.
In response to those critiques, Brown’s interim public safety leader announced plans for added security cameras in key buildings, expanded panic button coverage, and broader public safety training focused on emergency communication.
Supporters of the initiative contend that healing after a traumatic event requires attention to mental health and community cohesion alongside physical measures. They argue that input from students and faculty about safety and campus climate can help shape more effective long-term solutions.
However, opponents maintain that true “physical security” initiatives should be led by experts with real-world experience in threat assessment, law enforcement, or emergency management. They warn that prioritizing ideological administration over practical expertise could leave gaps in preparedness should another violent incident occur.
The Brown Ever True program reflects the tension on many college campuses between traditional safety priorities and broader social and cultural approaches to community well-being.
