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Ben Brown

@citizenbb.bsky.social

68 followers 83 following 46 posts

Westchester, New York Resident Public citizen Contrarian; curious; problem-solver Hiker and daily walker Alumnus of New College of Florida & University of Michigan Law School

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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 2d

Real estate developer holds out offer of "500 additional affordable units" to citizenry, but the offer is never reduced to writing. / My comments at Oct. 6, 2025 City of White Plains Common Council "Citizens to Be Heard" Session

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 4d

fourwindsvox.substack.com/p/the-dispos... #GnuCollege

The Dispossessed

What it means for the people most invested in New College's story to abandon ship

fourwindsvox.substack.com

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 4d

Uh-oh. #NewCollege floridapolitics.com/archives/759...

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 7d

curmudgucation.substack.com/p/fl-anti-wo...

FL: Anti-Woke College Not Working Out So Well

You will recall that a couple of years ago, his head filled with fantasies about running for President as a smarter, more stable Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis decided to take over small, libera...

curmudgucation.substack.com

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 8d

www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...

Spending Soars, Rankings Fall at New College of Florida

Student outcomes and rankings are slipping at the liberal arts college while spending is up. Critics believe the college is at risk of implosion, and some are calling for privatization.

www.insidehighered.com

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 10d

The bizarre case of my alma mater, New College of Florida, leads to deep dives into the study of higher ed. administration.

substack.com/inbox/post/1...

Notes from an Autopsy: University of the Arts

UArts was mismanaged in a totally normal way.

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 14d

New College has fallen 59 places in U.S. News & World Report's "National Liberal Arts Colleges" ranking since the new slate of Trustees came in.

See nathanallen140396.substack.com/p/new-colleg...

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 18d

Consider how the international student system became something of a scam in Canada. With the international students among the victims.

www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/the...

How international students became big business for schools

Over the last decade, Canadian post-secondary schools have made a major push for international student enrollment

www.theglobeandmail.com

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 18d

Did you see the new, Sept. 15th 'Civil Discourse Memo' distributed by Ray Rodrigues as SUS Chancellor?

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 18d

The alumni community is responding pretty well to this proposal even though it would have been anathema 5 or 10 years ago. New College can work as a public higher ed. institution of course, but it won't work under Richard Corcoran or another appointee like him.

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 18d

Some recent alumni writings

open.substack.com/pub/nathanal...

open.substack.com/pub/nathanal...

President Corcoran Predicts the Future, Threatens Board of Governors

At last week’s Board of Governors meeting, President Corcoran said to the Board:

open.substack.com

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 18d

New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran:

|"[T]here's been many critics, as you guys have read about New College . . . . But if we are closed down, I say this very respectfully, Chair—then this Board of Governors should be shut down too."

open.substack.com/pub/nathanal...

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · Sep 6

"[O]nce inside the administration, Allen said, he became convinced that the transformation was built on shaky foundations — propped up by political money, misguided admissions changes and leadership he saw as out of step with the liberal arts tradition."

suncoastsearchlight.org/new-college-...

Privatization push emerges at New College as ex-insider breaks with DeSantis allies - Suncoast Searchlight

“If you’re interested in government efficiency, the biggest financial and operational boondoggle in the state is" New College, said Nathan Allen, the former administrator leading the privatization pus...

suncoastsearchlight.org

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · Jun 16

One important thing to know about The Atlantic is that it's edited by Jeffrey Goldberg.

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · May 24

Is the interview still available?

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · May 8

Helping New College of Florida students have an 'alt graduation' that's meaningful to them, instead of the administration's canned graduation programming.

www.novocollegian.org/alt-grad-don...

Support Alt Grad 2025 — Novo Collegian Alliance

www.novocollegian.org

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · Apr 27

The Chronicle of Higher Education's recent coverage of New College www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRrx...

New College's Student Culture Problem

YouTube video by Chronicle of Higher Education

www.youtube.com

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · Apr 16

ricksblog.biz/daily-outtak...

Daily Outtakes: Behind the New College Spin

DeSantis touts higher education success while New College alumni leader exposes 'horribly bad picture' of falling standards and donor exodus under new regime.

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · Apr 16

www.chronicle.com/article/the-...

The College That Conservatives Took Over

The overhaul of New College of Florida stoked fear on the left and excitement on the right. Two years in, what’s really changed?

www.chronicle.com

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · Apr 12

Since January, 2023, Christopher Rufo has served on the Board of Trustees of my alma mater, New College of Florida.

www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/p...

The Conservative Activist Pushing Trump to Attack U.S. Colleges

Christopher Rufo has helped inspire Republican messaging and bills on hot-button issues.

www.nytimes.com

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · Apr 8

Wow!

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · Apr 7

"New College of Florida may soon take over stewardship of a local art museum and another branch campus. Critics argue NCF doesn’t have the means or capability to manage either."

www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...

New College Looks to Acquire A USF Campus and Art Museum

New College of Florida may soon take over stewardship of a local art museum and another branch campus. Critics argue NCF doesn’t have the means or capability to manage either.

www.insidehighered.com

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · Apr 5

Thanks for going in depth

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · Apr 5

How can that possibly be?

Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · Apr 5

www.tallahassee.com/story/opinio...

New College of Florida needs financial transparency | Opinion

To meet its goals, New College’s 2024-2029 business plan specifies a need for $200 million. These numbers should make legislators hit pause.

www.tallahassee.com