Brown University student cleared after sending viral DOGE style email to staff: ‘What do you do all day?’

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Brown University has cleared student Alex Shieh and the editorial board of The Brown Spectator following an internal investigation into a DOGE style email Shieh sent to university employees that prompted complaints and a formal disciplinary hearing.

Shieh, a rising junior and student journalist, had sent an email—written in a style mimicking the popular “DOGE” ones sent out by Elon Musk—to non-faculty staff members earlier this year. In the message, Shieh introduced himself as a writer for The Brown Spectator and asked recipients what their day-to-day responsibilities were, citing concerns over rising tuition costs and administrative spending.

The email drew criticism from some employees and led to accusations that Shieh and the publication had violated Brown’s name, licensing, and trademark policies. A hearing was held on May 7, but on May 14, the university concluded that neither Shieh nor the Spectator’s board had violated any institutional rules.

Shieh defended his actions in a statement, saying his intention was to investigate what he sees as administrative bloat in higher education. “Elite academia is in crisis because of a refusal to accommodate ordinary Americans and an unaccountable class of bureaucrats who treat universities as corporate brands rather than institutions of learning,” Shieh told Fox News Digital in a statement. “I think we need to rethink what it means to be elite. Today, elite schools are elitist. I’m fighting for them to be elite in a meritocratic sense, where they are filled with the best and the brightest, not the richest and most well-connected.”

The Brown Spectator, was recently relaunched after ceasing operations in 2014. Its three-member board, including Shieh, had faced possible disciplinary action pending the outcome of the inquiry.

Shieh pointed out that other student publications also use the Brown University name, such as The Brown Daily Herald, and argued the standards for enforcement appeared inconsistent.

With the university’s decision, no further action will be taken.