Produced by: Michelle Stiber
A disagreement involving Roger Williams University humanities students and university representatives took place Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, ahead of a ribbon-cutting ceremony and 30th anniversary celebration at the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business. Students studying in the building were asked to leave by Michael Melton, founder and director of RWU’s Center for Advanced Financial Education. Students described the interaction as confrontational, alleging that Melton followed them out of the building and questioned their use of the space. During the exchange, Melton emphasized that the building’s funding came from philanthropy rather than student tuition. The incident brought attention to ongoing student concerns surrounding the transition of Global Heritage Hall into the Gabelli School of Business. Several humanities students expressed concerns about their access to campus spaces and the university’s support for humanities programs.
What started as a normal day for a group of humanities students became a confrontational afternoon: a protest and a stark reminder. On Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business held a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a 30th anniversary celebration.
The group was spending their afternoon quietly studying in the GSB building, when founder and director of RWU’s Center for Advanced Financial Education (CAFE), Michael Melton, asked them to leave.
Melton’s interaction with the group started off cordial, as they got up and were leaving, he turned hostile. The educator demanded to know who their professor was, got up in students’ faces and followed them out of the building.
During the interaction, Melton continuously yelled about how student’s tuition money didn’t pay for the building switch, philanthropy did.
“When you write a bestseller or win the lottery, you can get better stuff for your building.” – Hans L. Christensen
These words ring in the minds of many humanities students. Reinforced by CEO and Chief Investment Officer for the Gabelli School of Business Advisory Council at Roger Williams University, Hans L. Christensen, the stereotype that some humanities majors will amount to nothing continues.
After a ribbon-cutting ceremony and group photo, Christensen sauntered over to a group of students, peacefully protesting, and struck up a conversation about their majors. This conversation made their already abnormal day worse.
Many students feel like the switch between the humanities building and the business building is a way to keep the humanities from thriving at RWU.
Students such as Allyson Genua and Connor Huffman feel unsupported by administration and that the building switch has created an unpleasant and unwelcoming environment for those currently receiving the short end of the stick.
“Global Heritage Hall was supposed to be a central building for all students.” – Allyson Genua
GSB, previously known as GHH, has become a more rigid place, one where students are shushed, where student-presenters are told to be quiet because promo is being filmed, one where classes are relocated in order for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to take place.
What was once a place of lively conversation, hangouts, study sessions and a place to relax, has become a piece of symbolism for a section of the student body: they are not a priority.
Contributors:
Photographer: Michelle Stiber
Photo Editor: Michelle Stiber
Writer: Michelle Stiber
Communities of Hope Civic Media,
WQRI 88.3 FM,
Roger Williams University Student Radio
Contributers:
Abby Stark
Addison Mason
Alana Lemene
Alex Tavaglione
Alexa Benson-Amarante
Aliyah Goulette-Brown
Ana Dwyer
Anashyah Bell
Anna Pellegrini
Ashlyn Keating
Brenna Medeiros
Brianna Frissora
Caroline Fils-Aime
Catalina Hortelano
Claire Davis
Colin McKay
Dayvey Gordon
Edith Hills
Elizabeth Chant
Ella Lebet
Emma O’Neill
Eric Tech
Fatima Rasuly
Gabby Iocca
Gökdeniz Tingur
Haylee Silva
Jack Dealy
Jacob Barber
Jillian Dorf
Joshua Geaughan
JT Lawrence
Kali Blackerby
Kate Tortolini
Kayley Dias
Ludjina Fleurival
Macayla McDonald
Mackenzie Wolfe
Mason Caserta
Mason Desimone
Matthew Guaman
McKalah Gaine
Meghan Harvey
Michelle Stiber
Mikayla Hudon
Molly Stinchfield
Naja Young
RJ Rood
Rachel Cabral
Rebecca Scheffler
Roslyn Iaderosa
Sarah Price
Shania Brown
Skye Merrow
Zehra Atay
