Staff Reports
Brown University—a so-called bastion of higher learning—finally had a reality check recently, bowing to the Trump administration’s push for accountability. This prestigious institution has been swimming in the waters of bloat for far too long, growing its administrative staff quicker than the actual needs of its students. While tuition costs continue to choke the American Dream for middle-class families, Brown has been busy building an elite-class ivory tower, cared for by unnecessary layers of bureaucrats. But let’s not overlook the hypocrisy: they claim to serve the “public good” while primarily catering to the ultra-wealthy who can pony up the obscene tuition and fees.
It seems the pressure from both a fearless former Brown student and the Trump-led federal government has finally forced the school to see the light. Brown is slashing 48 jobs and doing away with 55 open positions. Let’s not mince words—this is a significant win against the bloated “educational industrial complex” that thrives on self-interest rather than student welfare.
VICTORY for Bloat@Brown: Last semester, I sent the DOGE email to all 3,805 (!) administrators at @BrownUniversity asking them what they do all day — at a school with only 1,691 profs and 7,226 undergrads, but costs $93k a year.
Brown tried to expel me for causing "emotional… pic.twitter.com/kiy5oB0cxd
— Alex Shieh (@alexkshieh) September 23, 2025
For years, the Ivy League has been masquerading as a meritocracy, but in truth, it’s just a playground for the rich. Brown’s recent layoffs shine a glaring light on this farce. These changes hint at an overdue acknowledgment that being laden with administrators doesn’t translate to better education. Quite the opposite—it fuels inequality.
It’s high time we see more brave individuals challenge these elitist structures. With a former student’s example of walking away from an Ivy League degree to succeed through sheer grit and entrepreneurship, Brown students now have a role model demonstrating that the untouchable narrative of “Ivy League or bust” is finally crumbling.
Brown has tried to spin this as an unfortunate necessity due to federal budgetary impacts. But let’s call a spade a spade: this is what happens when you prioritize prestige over practicality. As we continue to await meaningful education reform across America, one must wonder when other elite schools will follow in Brown’s reluctant footsteps. Can Brown keep pretending it’s an epitome of academic excellence when its fortress of administration is crumbling?
