Brown University Survey Reveals Disparities in Student Belonging and Protection

The federally-mandated assessment shows most students feel they belong, but not all feel protected from discrimination and harassment.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 5:15am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A recent survey at Brown University, conducted as part of a 2025 agreement with the Trump administration, has revealed disparities in how students from different backgrounds perceive the campus climate. While a majority of students reported positive experiences and a sense of belonging, the survey found that certain groups, including Muslim, Black, LGBTQ, and Jewish students, were less likely to feel that the university takes their concerns seriously or responds appropriately to incidents of discrimination and harassment.

Why it matters

The survey results highlight the ongoing challenges universities face in creating truly inclusive environments, even at institutions that pride themselves on diversity and openness. The federal government's involvement in mandating specific survey questions also raises concerns about the appropriate boundaries of government oversight in higher education.

The details

The survey, conducted by an outside vendor, included questions required by the Trump administration about social media harassment and the climate for students with Jewish ancestry. While Brown framed the overall results as evidence of an inclusive campus, the data showed that more than 11% of students from certain marginalized groups reported experiencing harassment or discrimination. Notably, more than half of Muslim undergraduates said they do not believe Brown takes Islamophobia seriously or responds appropriately.

  • The survey was conducted in 2026, as part of a 2025 agreement between Brown University and the Trump administration.
  • Brown submitted the required report to the administration on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.

The players

Brown University

A private Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island.

Trump Administration

The federal government under the leadership of former President Donald Trump, which mandated the survey as part of an agreement with Brown University.

Nora Demleitner

A former law professor and dean who expressed concerns about the unprecedented level of federal involvement in a private university's internal affairs.

Caroline Levander

The vice president for global strategy at Rice University in Texas, who said the survey responses are symptomatic of a larger, uneven playing field for students from different backgrounds.

Matthew Guterl

Brown's vice president of diversity and inclusion, who said the university takes the survey's findings seriously and has an established plan of action to address shortcomings.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This level of granular federal involvement in a private university is unprecedented, as is so much in the Trump administration's approach to higher education. It is deeply troubling that the federal government would mandate specific questions in a survey that is internal to a university, designed to gauge campus climate and improve it.”

— Nora Demleitner, Former law professor and dean

“Students arrive with beliefs that we don't have any visibility into. Admissions does not ask about religious tolerances. So it's the role of education to teach toleration of difference and respect for different viewpoints. That's a work in progress.”

— Caroline Levander, Vice President for Global Strategy, Rice University

What’s next

Once the federal government approves Brown's proposed actions to address the survey findings, the university will be required to document the implementation of those actions.

The takeaway

The Brown University survey highlights the ongoing challenges universities face in creating truly inclusive environments, even at institutions that pride themselves on diversity. The federal government's involvement in mandating specific survey questions also raises concerns about the appropriate boundaries of government oversight in higher education.