Sessions and Schedule

Monday, June 17, 2019

Bus pickup at the Omni Hotel

Welcome Reception

(President’s House, 55 Power Street)

Dinner at the President’s House

55 Power Street, Providence

Speaker: Christina Paxson, President, Brown University

Bus transports guests to Omni Hotel

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Bus picks up at the Omni Hotel to Brown University, South Street Landing

(350 Eddy Street, Providence)

Breakfast

Welcome

South Street Landing: Catalyzing Economic Development as a Path to Closer Town-Gown Relations

Presentation and Tour of South Street Landing

Speaker: Russell Carey, Executive Vice President for Planning and Policy, Brown University

Tour Leader: John Arzoomanian, Building Operations Manager

In 2013, Brown made a bold decision to invest in rehabilitating Providence’s dilapidated old power station in the city’s Jewelry District. When South Street Landing opened four years later, Brown leaders viewed this public-private partnership as the most complicated multi-institution collaboration and real estate deal ever embarked upon in the state of Rhode Island. Russell Carey, who led the project, discusses the vision and the outcomes. There was a time when such capital projects to help transform part of a city were rare in higher education. In this era, when “elite” institutions are almost expected to be both educators and drivers of economic development in their communities, can these joint capital projects succeed in demonstrating that colleges and universities are partners, good neighbors and drivers of economic growth?

Shuttle transportation to College Hill, Brown Faculty Club

(1 Bannister Street, Providence)

The Intersection of Reputation and Research Integrity

Introduction: Brian Clark, Director of News and Editorial Development, Brown University

Speaker: Jill Pipher, Vice President for Research, Brown University

Some national cases that raised questions of research methodology (and at some institutions, research misconduct) have reinforced the importance of building a relationship between the Office of Research Integrity and an institution’s news office.

Buffet Lunch Served

Lunch Discussion: Assessing Public Sentiment Part II (After the Admissions Scandal)

AAU National Message Polling Presentation

Speakers: Ken Goldstein, Professor of Politics, University of San Francisco
Pedro Ribeiro, Vice President for Communications, Association of American Universities  

At the March 2019 meeting of the Association of American Universities Public Affairs Network, Pedro Ribeiro and Ken Goldstein presented results of AAU’s fall 2018 national survey assessing public opinion of research universities. New polling in spring 2018 will offer a view of public opinion after the national admissions scandal’s revelations of federal indictments in March of individuals accused of cheating and bribery to gain admission to highly selective institutions.

Considering Next Steps for Universities

Participant Discussion of the AAU National Survey Results

Moderator: Cass Cliatt, Vice President for Communications, Brown University

After polls dating back more than a decade on the value of higher education, surveys by the Pew Research Center in 2017 and 2018 showed sharply declining public support for higher education, and changed the discussion at institutions about what actions higher education should take to address the reports of negative public opinion about colleges and universities. The AAU survey offers the type of refined look at public sentiment that some institutions have said was necessary to have substantive discussions about what, if any, actions to take. We discuss what’s next.

Lightning Round: Sharing our Playbooks

Colleagues from Cornell, Harvard and Penn share brief presentations 

We learn of separate efforts from peer institutions to demonstrate impact of an institution’s education on local communities, engage alumni in combating negative perceptions of higher education and reform news vehicles.

Walk to optional activities

Head counts required during registration for activities. See below.

Bus to Omni Hotel (for those not participating in activities)

(Meet bus outside the Brown Faculty Club)

Activity Option 1: John Brown House Museum Tour

(52 Power Street; last tour entry at 3:15 p.m. sharp)

NOTE: Reservations submitted at time of registration. Head counts secured for tickets.

“The John Brown House was built in 1788 by merchant, patriot, politician and slave trader John Brown, an instigator and participant in the Gaspee Affair. He and his family were some of the wealthiest and most influential people in the colonies and, then, the United States. The Browns are the namesake of Brown University. Walk through John Brown’s mansion (in the footsteps of George Washington, Abigail Adams and other historical figures who once visited) and experience for yourself what it was like to live in the brand new United States at the end of the 18th century. The tour will discuss some of the most pressing issues of the day: slavery, the American Revolution, the China trade, and the major role Rhode Island played in the history of our nation.”

rihs.org/museums/john-brown-house/

Activity Option 2: Tour of Brown’s College Hill Campus

(Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center)

Student tour guide

Activity Option 3: RISD Museum

(20 North Main Street, Providence)

NOTE: Reservations submitted at time of registration. Head counts secured for tickets.

“The RISD Museum was founded on the belief that art, artists and the institutions that support them play pivotal roles in promoting broad civic engagement and creating more open societies. Established in 1877 as part of a vibrant creative community, the RISD Museum stewards works of art representing diverse cultures from ancient times to the present. We interpret our collection with the focus on the maker and we deeply engage with art and artists, presenting ideas and perspectives that can be inspiring and complex. We aspire to create an accessible and inclusive environment that builds meaningful relationships across all communities.”

risdmuseum.org

Bus returns to Omni Hotel

Bus picks up from Omni Hotel

Reception at Waterman Grille

(4 Richmond Square, Providence)

Dinner at Waterman Grille

Bus to Omni Hotel

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Bus picks up at the Omni Hotel to College Hill, Maddock Alumni Center

(38 Brown Street, Providence)

Luggage accommodated during transport

Guests who drive can park their cars on campus and be validated.

Breakfast

Fundraising in Today’s Climate

Speaker and Discussion Session

Speaker: Sergio Gonzalez, Senior Vice President for Advancement, Brown University

Amid a social movement across the country where the role of money — in politics, the arts and other aspects of society — is being subjected to deep questioning, the function of fundraising in higher education is being held to new scrutiny. How does a leader of an organization charged with building and stewarding philanthropic support think of his mission in this moment? What questions should universities be considering as they consider relationships with key philanthropic stakeholders and a university’s many publics?

Business meeting and roundtables in breakout rooms

We continue the tradition of two roundtable meetings — one with the AVPs, directors and other colleagues, and the other with the vice presidents — to allow the groups to have open discussions and opportunities to benefit from shared experiences. Discussion is based on timely topics decided by the groups in the context of their distinct roles.

Diversity and Inclusion: Managing the Doubt that “Elite” Institutions Can Hold Themselves Accountable to Equity and Diversity

Speaker and Discussion Session

Speaker: Shontay Delalue, Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity, Brown University

Each institution has a distinctive path to developing diversity and inclusion action plans. At Brown, what has captured attention is how the entire campus is accountable through department-level action plans, which require annual reports as part of that accountability. Nevertheless, higher education is doing this work at a time when “elite” campuses are increasingly accused of being places for the wealthy. How do Brown, and other campuses, confront questions about the legitimacy of diversity and inclusion efforts in this difficult moment?

Farewells

Box lunches provided.