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Ben Brown

@citizenbb.bsky.social
100 followers 98 following 96 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 · 08/06/2026
As the debacle at New College of Florida comes to widespread attention via John Oliver / Last Week Tonight— we made some content to introduce our fully independent alumni & friends organization, Novo Collegian Alliance. We have been investigating political grift at our College for three years.
youtube.com
An introduction to the NCA by board member Ben Brown!
YouTube video by Novo Collegian Alliance
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
He hit on some good points. For my part, I say this: Investigate the New College administration for grift!
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Reposted by Ben Brown
Novo Collegian Alliance @novoalliance.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Have you watched it yet????? John Oliver destroys the "New College Takeover" and it's aftermath. The NCA appreciates the hard work done by the LWT team! #NewCollege #NCF #NCA youtu.be/jFMc07F1UUU
youtu.be
New College of Florida: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
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Reposted by Ben Brown
Novo Collegian Alliance @novoalliance.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
We’re bringing [Alt]-grad back for another year! Visit our website to donate/find out more (link in bio). #altgrad #NCA #NovoCollegianAlliance #FriendoftheFourWinds #NovoStrong
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
It's politically incorrect to say it, but the truth is there's a tension between national realities and cosmopolitan aspirations. Right now we need the United States as a nation-state and we need its citizens to support it.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Don't you suppose it's our job to get him the revenue, and then he'll be happy to do it? Hochul has not supported his proposal to raise taxes on the ultra-wealthy.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
New College of Florida // Mike Sanderson has worked tirelessly to expose what's happened to our alma mater in the halls of power in Florida. He has made numerous trips; I saw him Miami in Oct. 2024 when we both spoke at the BoG meeting and again in Tallahassee in Mar. 2025 when we did so again.
gofund.me
Donate to Confronting Corcoran: Public Accountability Trip, organized by Michael Sanderson
New College's Board of Trustees meeting is coming up on February 12… Michael Sanderson needs your support for Confronting Corcoran: Public Accountability Trip
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
From Russia's perspective, NATO potentially coming up to its doorstep was a security issue. From the U.S.'s perspective, a Russia-China alliance, even with a much weakened Russia, is a disaster. And it will have warm water Black Sea ports. China has become a very great power in recent years.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
An op-ed by the president of Novo Collegian Alliance (NCA).
heraldtribune.com
New College isn't fit to take over USF Sarasota-Manatee | Opinion
New College of Florida's potential takeover of USF Sarasota-Manatee is a disaster waiting to happen. Here's why.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
WUSF, Feb. 3, 2026, "Ex-New College strategist says the transfer of USF dorm debt ‘will kill the college'"
wusf.org
Ex-New College strategist says the transfer of USF dorm debt ‘will kill the college'
Florida's governor wants to transfer the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, and its $53 million in dormitory debt, to New College of Florida, where he launched a conservative overhaul in 2023.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
USF Sarasota-Manatee Faculty Senate V.P. Jonathan Scott Perry speaks. www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/01/18/t...
sun-sentinel.com
The true tragedy at New College | Opinion
A University of South Florida professor lauds a recent Sun Sentinel editorial on the sad state of affairs at Sarasota’s New College, but writes that there’s even more to the story.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
It was super interesting! One of the best episodes yet.
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Reposted by Ben Brown
Tropical Depression @tropdeppod.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
🚨New year, new episode! Ryan (@ryanrayfla.bsky.social) is joined by Peter Schorsch of FloridaPolitics.com to discuss the current state of journalism, Vibes, & the DeSantis approach to friendship in the Florida Capitol Listen to the latest Tropical Depression wherever you get podcasts!
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
The better political formulation would have gone something like: "This war doesn't serve you and Trump is trying to distract you from the Epstein Files and the rising cost of living."
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
"The Perils of Parachuting In," in today's Florida news roundup by Seeking Rents. jasongarcia.substack.com/p/companies-...
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
www.novocollegian.org/blog/nca-res...
novocollegian.org
NCA Responds to the New York Times’ December 28th Front Page Coverage of New College — Novo Collegian Alliance
The front page of the Sunday, December 28, 2025 edition of the New York Times featured that paper’s first major story on New College in two years.  We stand in that awkward space between gratitud...
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
An alumnus' essay on the New York Times coverage of New College of Florida substack.com/home/post/p-...
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
The Boston Globe's in-depth article on New College of Florida is valuable. apps.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/metr...
apps.bostonglobe.com
New College of Florida is a preview of Trump’s plan for Harvard
Trump and MAGA want to remake higher education. New College is their blueprint for how to do it.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
The New York Times' coverage of New College is experienced as maddening by alumni. It seems to miss half the story. Cost-per-student is $ 83,207, tuition is effectively discounted by 90%, and the average SAT scores of entering classes have plummeted. The College more or less buys enrollment.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
The New York Times' coverage of New College is experienced as maddening by alumni. It seems to miss half the story. Cost-per-student is $ 83,207, tuition is effectively discounted by 90%, and the average SAT scores of entering classes have plummeted. The College more or less buys enrollment.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
The New York Times' coverage of New College is experienced as maddening by alumni. It seems to miss half the story. Cost-per-student is $ 83,207, tuition is effectively discounted by 90%, and the average SAT scores of entering classes have plummeted. The College more or less buys enrollment.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
The New York Times' coverage of New College is experienced as maddening by alumni. It seems to miss half the story. Cost-per-student is $ 83,207, tuition is effectively discounted by 90%, and the average SAT scores of entering classes have plummeted. The College more or less buys enrollment.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
The New York Times' coverage of New College is experienced as maddening by alumni. It seems to miss half the story. Cost-per-student is $ 83,207, tuition is effectively discounted by 90%, and the average SAT scores of entering classes have plummeted. The College more or less buys enrollment.
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Reposted by Ben Brown
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
New, from me: The NYT reporter who specializes in profiles of beleaguered right-wingers on campus went to New College...and found out that things were going ok! So let me explain some pretty massive errors of omission: 🧵 donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-nyt-re...
donmoynihan.substack.com
The NYT Recruiting Brochure for New College
A failing Ron DeSantis higher ed experiment gets a boost
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
New College apparently hasn't taken steps toward the statue. It also never signed the Trump Compact. On Oct. 14, 2025, the Chronicle of Higher Education wrote, "Trump Welcomes 'Any Institution' to Sign Compact Outlining His Priorities." These may have just been cheap attempts at earned media.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
The New York Times' coverage of New College is experienced as maddening by alumni. It seems to miss half the story. Cost-per-student is $ 83,207, tuition is effectively discounted by 90%, and the average SAT scores of entering classes have plummeted. The College more or less buys enrollment.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
The New York Times' coverage of New College is experienced as maddening by alumni. It seems to miss half the story. Cost-per-student is $ 83,207, tuition is effectively discounted by 90%, and the average SAT scores of entering classes have plummeted. The College more or less buys enrollment.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
The New York Times butchers New College's story, but at least we got on the front page of the New York Times! Students, faculty, and alumni WILL use the front-page attention to tell the REAL story of New College (it's a victim of disastrous management and grift). www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/u...
nytimes.com
New College of Florida Was Progressive. Then Gov. DeSantis Overhauled It.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
On radio waves Dec. 4th, now easy to access on YouTube. New College alumnus Jono Miller then went on the same show Dec. 11th (acccessible at WSLR archives: archive.wslr.org?qtajax=true ) The College will hold a public hearing on the Campus Master Plan today. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4xP...
youtube.com
Episode 24: New College update with Ben Brown - December 4 2025
YouTube video by The Detail with Cathy Antunes
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
At New College of Florida www.heraldtribune.com/story/opinio...
heraldtribune.com
New College shows no respect for citizens with master plan | Opinion
New College of Florida is blatantly ignoring standards and residents with its proposed campus master plan.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
I wonder what SPM is up to these days.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Thanks to the anonymous donors! NCA is a great organization that has kept the counter-narrative alive at New College.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Welcome news! Didn't institutional Democrats try to shape the primary field to effectively exclude her?
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Getting into the nitty gritty of affordable housing policy where I live, in Westchester County, New York. Developers skimp on affordable housing 'buy out' fees, paying them at rates that were in effect several years ago instead of current rates. #WhitePlains #Westchester
substack.com
Affordable Housing Behind-the-Scenes
Please join me as I take a look at an issue of concern in White Plains, New York: Developers paying affordable housing buy-outs at significantly outdated monetary rates.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Florida has created a new higher education accreditor to use as an alternative to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
palmbeachpost.com
Accreditation politics will hurt Florida higher education | Opinion
To sustain its higher education takeover, Florida launched its own accreditor to protect legislative interference.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
heraldtribune.com
3 years later, the 'new' New College is a total failure | Opinion
The recent, damning Florida DOGE report proves that President Richard Corcoran and his crew have failed at New College of Florida.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
An op-ed by a current New College of Florida student. www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/01/c...
orlandosentinel.com
Commentary: Free speech at risk on college campuses
A student at New College of Florida details two instances of political activism and how the administration handled both differently.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
substack.com/inbox/post/1...
substack.com
New College Foundation to Alumni: Drop Dead
Foundation Chair Shares Vision of Mindless Conformity
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
It's not even about the eighteen months on the Board of Trustees: Amy Reid dedicated herself as a learned and scholarly person to the public good for thirty years, and got denied faculty emeritus status in a petty act of retaliation. floridapolitics.com/archives/762...
floridapolitics.com
New College denies emerita status to faculty Trustee who opposed Richard Corcoran’s hire
The gender studies professor taught for 30 years.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
The demise of a small, but once-great American college. You don't respond to shared governance by punishing those who represent the faculty. thebradentontimes.com/stories/poli...
thebradentontimes.com
Political Payback? New College Professor who showed independence denied faculty emerita status - The Bradenton Times
New College Faculty Chair Amy Reid was recently recommended for faculty emerita status by New College Provost David Rohrbacher, who described the professor as "an outstanding teacher …
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Worth a read. www.tampabay.com/viewpoints/2...
tampabay.com
New College of Florida? Time to privatize it | Column
The government has made a mess of the school.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
substack.com/inbox/post/1...
substack.com
New College’s Response to Rosenberg: Another Surly Retrospective
New College’s Response to Rosenberg: Another Surly Retrospective
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
And Trump can't say he didn't know of the risks. "I don’t think Bibi ever wanted to make peace. I think he just tapped us along. Just tap, tap, tap, you know?” "[T]he fact is, I don’t think Bibi ever wanted to make a deal." —Donald Trump in an interview, Dec., 2021
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
Yes; sadly true.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
A good in-depth look at the situation.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
A good in-depth look at the situation.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
As a New College alumnus and recent former New College Alumni Association chair, New College is an operational disaster and at risk of closure. It is a worthwhile theory that this kind of stark plunder is what's in store for everyone, but I am not sure.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
New College alumnus Nathan Allen's Oct. 16th op-ed. www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
usatoday.com
New College of Florida isn't surging. It's sinking. | Opinion
Under New College's current leadership, the school has become a significantly smaller, wildly more expensive and academically inferior institution.
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Ben Brown @citizenbb.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
At New College of Florida— "The idea was simple: build a replica trireme, have freshmen (etc.) march it down Dort Drive, and set it on fire. . . ." open.substack.com/pub/nathanal...
open.substack.com
New College's New Ritual
Hernándo Cortés, a trireme, and $50k of taxpayer funds walk into a government bureaucracy...
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