Reprieve for 4 Teams at Brown U.

Ruth J. Simmons, Brown University's president, announced Friday that its board will not vote to eliminate four athletic teams later this month, and that the squads are safe for at least another year. A Brown committee, convened at Simmons’ behest, made a recommendation two weeks ago that the university eliminate the men's and women's fencing, wrestling, and women's skiing teams due to budget constraints. Since then, athletes and coaches have criticized the recommendation, arguing that a decision on the fate of their teams was being rushed through the governance process. Simmons wrote in a letter to students, faculty and staff, “While delaying the decision on the outcome for these teams is not ideal, I am persuaded that the committee’s [new] recommendation to allow students to complete the semester’s work without the burden or stress of addressing this issue is sound and compassionate.” Simmons wrote that she “will return to this matter in the fall."