Former Brown Student Criticizes University Spending After Campus Murder
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — In the wake of a tragic shooting that claimed the life of Brown University student Ella Cook, a former student and close friend has sharply criticized the Ivy League institution’s security preparedness and financial priorities. Alex Shieh, who attended Brown and served as publisher of the student-run Brown Spectator, told Fox News Digital that the university’s failure to update security systems contributed to the killer’s ability to enter and leave campus undetected.
“It’s not surprising that the old buildings on campus have never been retrofitted with updated security systems, because that’s not what the spending priorities are,” Shieh said. “People come to Brown because of the Ivy League name, not because of the facilities.” He highlighted the incongruity of Brown’s $8 billion endowment and tuition costs approaching $100,000 per year, questioning why critical security infrastructure such as surveillance cameras remain absent in many campus buildings.
Shieh’s critique extends beyond security to the university’s administrative structure. During his time at Brown, he sparked controversy by probing the compensation and roles of university administrators. He noted that Brown employs roughly 4,000 administrators for a student body of about 11,000, a ratio he described as “odd” and contributing to rising tuition and constrained resources for student safety and quality of life.
Efforts by Shieh to survey administrators about their duties met resistance from faculty and led to disciplinary actions against him, including allegations of invading privacy and misrepresenting the university. Despite this, he remains vocal about what he sees as wasteful spending and administrative bloat undermining campus safety.
The shooting that claimed Ella Cook’s life and injured others has intensified scrutiny of campus security nationwide. According to the Campus Safety Magazine, many universities struggle to balance historic campus preservation with modern security needs. Brown’s challenge is emblematic of this tension.
Experts emphasize that effective campus security requires investment in technology and personnel. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommends comprehensive risk assessments and updated surveillance systems to prevent unauthorized access. Critics argue that Brown’s failure to implement such measures reflects misplaced financial priorities.
Meanwhile, the university faces calls for transparency and reform. The U.S. Department of Education has guidelines encouraging institutions to maintain safe learning environments, and some advocate for federal oversight to ensure compliance.
As Brown mourns the loss of Ella Cook and other victims, the debate over campus safety and fiscal responsibility continues. Shieh’s outspoken criticism highlights a broader national conversation about how universities allocate resources and protect their communities.
For now, students and faculty alike await concrete steps from Brown’s administration to address security vulnerabilities and restore confidence in campus safety.
Leave a Reply