Brown University student Alex Shieh, who sent a mass email questioning non-faculty employees about their daily activities to investigate high tuition costs, has been exonerated after facing potential disciplinary action and will now take his fight to Congress.
At a Glance
- Alex Shieh, a Brown University sophomore, emailed 3,805 non-faculty employees asking “What do you do all day?” to understand the university’s high tuition costs
- Brown University initially charged Shieh with policy violations but later cleared him of all wrongdoing on May 14, 2025
- Tuition at Brown is projected to reach $93,064 for the next academic year and $95,984 for 2025-2026
- Shieh plans to testify before Congress on June 4 about potential antitrust violations at Brown, including price-fixing and staffing issues
- The controversy highlights growing concerns about administrative bloat and lack of transparency in higher education
Student’s Investigation Into Rising Tuition Costs
Alex Shieh, a sophomore at Brown University, launched his investigation into the university’s administrative structure after becoming concerned about the institution’s skyrocketing tuition fees. Using artificial intelligence to analyze the roles of 3,805 non-faculty employees, Shieh focused on identifying what he considered redundant positions, particularly in DEI departments. His investigation was driven by the financial burden placed on students and families as Brown’s tuition continues to climb.
“The inspiration for this is the rising cost of tuition,” Shieh explained. “Next year, it’s set to be $93,064 to go to Brown.”
Shieh’s approach was unconventional. He sent a mass email to thousands of non-faculty staff members with the simple question: “What do you do all day?” While identifying himself as a journalist for The Brown Spectator, a recently revived libertarian campus publication, Shieh hoped to gather information about administrative functions that might explain the university’s high operational costs. The response was overwhelmingly negative, with only 20 employees responding, some with hostile replies.
University’s Response and Disciplinary Proceedings
Brown University initially took a firm stance against Shieh’s actions. The administration advised employees not to respond to the email, stating that it improperly used data from a university platform and included derogatory job descriptions. Shieh faced potential disciplinary charges including causing emotional and psychological harm, invasion of privacy, and misrepresentation. He also claimed his social security number was leaked, possibly by a university administrator.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) stepped in to assist Shieh, with representative Dominic Coletti questioning the validity of the charges. “There is not yet a clear allegation the firm has given of exactly what the information is, that is, confidential,” Coletti noted. The university maintained that the case was not about First Amendment issues but about potential violations of data use policies.
After a disciplinary hearing on May 7, Brown University ultimately cleared Shieh and The Brown Spectator board of all allegations on May 14. The charges had centered on violations of the university’s name, licensing, and trademark policies rather than the content of Shieh’s inquiry.
Taking the Fight to Congress
Following his exoneration, Shieh has escalated his campaign for educational reform to the national stage. He is scheduled to testify before Congress on June 4 regarding potential antitrust violations at Brown University, including allegations of price-fixing and questionable staffing practices. This testimony comes in the wake of a federal lawsuit settlement last year related to illegal collusion in Brown’s financial aid packages.
Shieh sent a follow-up email to Brown administrators after his exoneration, offering them an opportunity to justify their roles before his Congressional testimony. His persistence reflects his commitment to holding the university accountable for its high costs and administrative practices.
The Broader Implications for Higher Education
Shieh’s investigation touches on a growing national concern about the rising cost of higher education and administrative bloat at American universities. His questioning of the necessity of numerous non-faculty positions aligns with conservative critiques of modern university structures, particularly regarding DEI initiatives. Shieh has stated that his inquiry was partly inspired by former President Trump’s executive orders on DEI policies.
As Shieh prepares for his Congressional testimony, his case has become emblematic of broader debates about transparency, accountability, and the value proposition of higher education in America. With tuition rates continuing to outpace inflation at elite institutions nationwide, Shieh’s questioning of administrative functions represents a challenge to the status quo that resonates with many families struggling to afford college education.
