Boston, MA, January 6, 2026
News Summary
In response to a tragic mass shooting on its campus, Brown University has initiated a comprehensive healing and recovery program named ‘Brown Ever True’. This initiative aims to enhance mental health support, bolster campus safety, and foster community unity following the loss of two students and injuries to nine others. Launched by President Christina H. Paxson, the program focuses on a long-term, holistic approach to recovery, emphasizing the importance of collective healing within academic institutions.
Boston, MA — In a demonstration of unwavering institutional resilience and commitment to its community, Brown University has initiated a comprehensive healing and recovery effort, named Brown Ever True, following a tragic mass shooting on its campus last month. This initiative underscores the profound impact of such events on academic communities and highlights the proactive steps higher education institutions are taking to support student and staff well-being, fortifying campus safety, and fostering a strong sense of unity in challenging times. The effort reflects a broader commitment within Massachusetts higher education and beyond to prioritize the holistic health of their academic environments.
The tragedy, which occurred on December 13, 2025, at the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building, resulted in the loss of two students and injuries to nine others. Brown University’s rapid response, followed by this long-term recovery plan, exemplifies the discipline and responsibility vital for maintaining academic freedom and ensuring a secure learning environment. This approach is poised not only to facilitate healing within the Brown community but also to offer valuable lessons for other institutions navigating complex challenges, reinforcing the role of education in building leadership and community impact.
Brown Ever True: A Coordinated Campus Response
The Brown Ever True initiative was officially launched by Brown University President Christina H. Paxson on January 5, 2026, as a campus-wide effort designed to provide multifaceted support for healing and recovery. This comprehensive program brings together diverse resources, programming, and services, with a primary focus on enhancing mental health, psychological wellness, and ensuring a robust sense of physical security for all members of the Brown community. The initiative aims to coordinate existing and new efforts across academic and administrative units, alongside student organizations, creating a unified front in the recovery process.
Addressing the Aftermath of Tragedy
The mass shooting on December 13, 2025, involved an individual identified as Claudio Neves Velente, who shot eleven students within the Barus and Holley building. The incident tragically claimed the lives of two students, Ella Cook and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov, and left nine others seriously injured. In the immediate aftermath, the university mobilized a coordinated response, including emergency services and counseling. The launch of Brown Ever True signifies a shift from acute response to a sustained, long-term recovery strategy, acknowledging that healing is a deeply individual and collective journey.
A Holistic “Roadmap to Recovery”
Central to Brown Ever True is a detailed “Roadmap to Recovery” that outlines programming and activities extending over weeks, months, and even years. This roadmap is informed by public health best practices for responding to traumatic events and recognizes that community healing is an ongoing process that manifests differently for each individual. Key components of this holistic approach include the expansion of existing resources such as counseling and psychological services (CAPS), residential life support, and services from affinity centers and the chaplaincy. The university is also providing additional mental health counseling sessions for staff members.
The initiative emphasizes collective action and support, with plans for expert-led conversations and workshops to address the challenges students, faculty, and staff may face after such an event. These sessions are designed to build resilience and foster connection within the community. Looking ahead, plans for the 2026-27 academic year and beyond include the installation of a campus memorial to honor the victims and the establishment of annual remembrance events.
Enhancing Campus Safety and Security
A crucial aspect of the Brown Ever True effort involves a comprehensive review and enhancement of campus safety and security infrastructure. The university regained control of the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building on December 19, 2025, after law enforcement operations concluded [cite: 2, original prompt data]. Since then, extensive work has been undertaken on the building’s operations for the upcoming semester, with portions remaining closed and secured.
New security actions have been announced, including the transition of key-access buildings to card-access systems and the installation of additional security cameras. The recovery roadmap includes opportunities for community members to share feedback on security infrastructure, staffing, and approaches, ensuring that enhancements are responsive to the needs and concerns of the academic community. Furthermore, thoughtful planning for the future use of the Barus & Holley, Prince Lab, and Engineering Research Center (ERC) complex is underway, prioritizing a secure and supportive environment for learning and research.
Fostering Leadership and Community Impact
The response from Brown University to this profound challenge exemplifies the power of disciplined leadership and collective responsibility within an academic setting. The establishment of the Ever True Support Fund allows the wider community to contribute to meeting the financial and emotional needs of those affected and to support the broader recovery efforts. This fund highlights the interconnectedness of the academic community and its supporters, extending the reach of care beyond campus borders.
The commitment to comprehensive healing, enhanced security, and sustained remembrance demonstrates how institutions can lead with integrity and compassion in times of crisis. By focusing on both immediate needs and long-term well-being, Brown University is setting a precedent for fostering a resilient and supportive environment, preparing students not only academically but also as responsible citizens capable of confronting and overcoming adversity. This dedication to recovery strengthens the university’s core mission and its positive impact on the broader regional educational and economic ecosystem.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Brown Ever True |
| Launch Date | January 5, 2026 |
| Leadership | President Christina H. Paxson (overall), VP for Diversity and Inclusion Matthew Guterl (coordinating team) |
| Core Focus Areas | Mental Health, Psychological Wellness, Physical Security |
| Key Components | Resources, Programming, Services, Community-wide Effort, Roadmap to Recovery |
| Support Fund | Ever True Support Fund for financial and emotional needs |
| Long-Term Plans | Campus Memorial, Annual Remembrance Events (2026-27 and beyond) |
| Security Enhancements | Card-access systems, additional security cameras, community feedback integration |
A Forward Path for the Academic Community
The Brown Ever True initiative represents more than just a recovery plan; it is a testament to the enduring spirit of community and the fundamental values of higher education. As Brown University embarks on this journey of repair and healing, its efforts serve as an important example for colleges and universities across New England, including those in Massachusetts higher education. We encourage readers to stay informed about such vital campus initiatives, explore the ways universities are building stronger communities, and consider participating in campus events that promote unity and well-being. The commitment to academic excellence, coupled with robust support systems, ensures that our educational institutions remain beacons of hope and progress for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Brown Ever True initiative?
A: The Brown Ever True initiative is a comprehensive, campus-wide healing and recovery effort launched by Brown University following a mass shooting on its campus in December 2025. It focuses on mental health, psychological wellness, and physical security.
Q: When was the Brown Ever True initiative announced?
A: The Brown Ever True initiative was announced on January 5, 2026.
Q: What was the reason for launching Brown Ever True?
A: The initiative was launched in response to a mass shooting that occurred on December 13, 2025, at the Barus and Holley engineering and physics building, which resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to nine others.
Q: Who is leading the Brown Ever True effort?
A: Brown University President Christina H. Paxson detailed the joint project of repair, and the team coordinating the initiative will be led by Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Matthew Guterl, with the Brown University Community Council serving as an advisory body.
Q: What are some key components of the “Roadmap to Recovery”?
A: The “Roadmap to Recovery” includes expanded mental health services, expert-led conversations and workshops, plans for a campus memorial, annual remembrance events, and enhanced campus safety and security measures.
Q: Has Brown University implemented new security measures?
A: Yes, new security actions include transitioning key-access buildings to card-access systems and installing additional security cameras. The university is also incorporating community feedback into its security enhancements.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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