Dear Alumni, families, and friends of A Cappella at Brown,

We are asking for your help in our efforts to preserve a cappella traditions in the face of disappointing university policy changes.

At the end of August this year, we received notice from the Student Activities Office that henceforth, A Cappella senior week and commencement concerts will not be permitted. SAO has cited deeply flawed financial, staffing, and “equity” justifications for their decisions which were made without any input from students. Their reasoning demonstrates a lack of understanding and resource planning that should not fall on students to alleviate.

Senior week is an irreplaceable opportunity for all members of Brown a cappella groupsto remain on campus to rehearse, host social events, bond, and enjoy the last week we have with our seniors before sending them off with a final senior concert. Given the busyness of the end of the school year and the significance that senior commencement concerts hold, we need this extra week to spend together and prepare.

We’re sure you share in our disappointment and frustration about the loss of this tradition, and we are asking for your signature on our petition to bring back a cappella senior week and commencement concerts. With your help, we will be able to show SAO and the Brown administration that many members of the Brown community feel passionately about the preservation of these important traditions.

We thank you for your support, and hope that we will continue to see you at commencement concerts in years to come.

Sincerely, The Intergalactic Community of A Cappella at Brown (Harmonic Motion, The Higher Keys, The Jabberwocks, The Ursa Minors, The Chattertocks, The BrownsTones, The Bear Necessities, The Alef Beats, and The Brown Derbies)