Dear Parents and Families,

As your students spend time at home during winter break, we hope they are finding moments of rest, comfort and connection with the people who love them most. The events of December 13 shook our community, and for many students and families, the weeks since have been marked by a desire for healing and reassurances about the security and well-being of their students when they return for the spring semester. 

We are writing to share that we are committed to supporting families during this period of transition prior to the start of classes on January 21, and to outline our plans to provide clear communication and ongoing resources for your students and also for you. We know that the families of our students play an important role in the steps they will take toward healing and recovery.

We know many families are asking:

• What, if anything, is different at Brown now?
• How will students be supported academically and emotionally as they return?
• What steps are being taken to support physical safety and community well-being?
• How can families best support students during this transition?

In the weeks since December 13, Brown has taken action to strengthen security and support paths to individual repair by ensuring continuity in students’ academic and residential experiences. As President Paxson shared in her Jan. 5 message to the Brown community, this work is guided by the Brown Ever True initiative, a university-wide “roadmap to recovery” that focuses on both short- and long-term care and recovery, informed by medical and public health experts and scholars. We see families as an essential part of this community, and we want you to feel informed, supported, and included as we move forward together.

In the weeks leading up to the start of classes, our goal is to help students return feeling as grounded and supported as possible, and to give families the information they need to prepare alongside them.
 

What to Expect from Us

Between now and the start of the semester, you will hear from us through:

• A series of communications focused on campus security, well-being, academics, and daily life at Brown
• A series of live webinars for parents and families, designed to share updates and answer questions
• Follow-up messages with webinar recordings, FAQs, and additional resources

We will also continue to host our regularly scheduled family programs this spring, including webinars on Study Abroad and Career Exploration, as part of our commitment to supporting students’ full Brown experience as our campus moves forward.

You will receive an invitation soon to register for the first 2026 parent and family webinar. We encourage you to submit questions in advance using the form included in that invitation, during the webinar, or at any time through family@brown.edu. As information evolves, we will continue to share resources on the Brown Ever True website.

As students prepare to resume their academic and social activities on campus, the love and steadiness families provide can be a vital source of comfort. We are grateful for the support you continue to provide as we welcome them back to a thriving community.

Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your care.

Sincerely,

Dr. Pat Poitevien, '94 MD'98
Vice President for Campus Life

Mikele St-Germain
Director of Parent & Family Engagement