Ciara Meyer

Dec 13, 2024 | browndailyherald.com | Ciara Meyer

On Friday afternoon, Brown University welcomed 906 of its 5,048 early decision applicants to the class of 2029 — the highest acceptance rate in over half a decade. Credited to a marked decrease in the number of applicants and increase in the admitted cohort’s size, Brown’s acceptance rate soared to levels not seen since the class of 2023. The class of 2027 remains the most competitive early decision class in history, with the class of 2028 falling in a close second place.

Dec 6, 2024 | browndailyherald.com | Ciara Meyer

New bus service proposals aim to make the commute of students across Providence’s Public School District more efficient. Additional bus routes and increased frequency were also proposed, following potential cuts earlier in the year due to a driver shortage. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority held public hearings on the proposed service changes on Wednesday and Thursday.

Dec 4, 2024 | browndailyherald.com | Owen Dahlkamp |Ciara Meyer

Brown announced new initiatives aimed at maintaining diversity in the University’s student body following a sharp drop in the share of Black and Hispanic students enrolled after the termination of race-based affirmative action in college admissions. In Brown’s first-year class of 2028, the share of Black students dropped 40% while the share of Hispanic students dropped 29% compared to the class of 2027.

Nov 24, 2024 | browndailyherald.com | Ciara Meyer

The City Council has to approve the settlement. Five days after that, the first payment of $5 million will be made to the PPSD, Smiley said at a press conference. An agreement between the City and the Rhode Island Department of Education will address the multi-million budget deficit currently straining the Providence Public School District and provide more funding moving forward. Tax increases for homeowners and businesses in 2026 are now to be expected.

Nov 20, 2024 | browndailyherald.com | Ciara Meyer

On Wednesday, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and the Rhode Island Department of Education reached a deal on how much the City must increase funding for the Providence Public School District. The deal still needs to be formalized in writing. The parties expect to announce the details of the agreement on Friday. The deal follows two rulings by the Rhode Island Superior Court last week which found that the City was required to provide additional funding to the district.