Update on the Future of Arts & Sciences Project

Dear colleagues,

We write with an update on the progress of the Future of Arts & Sciences project, following a highly productive academic year in which the collective efforts and feedback of faculty and staff led to a comprehensive proposal. We are continuing to refine the proposal in response to feedback we have received, and we plan to release a revised version of the proposal at the beginning of fall term. At that time we will write again with new opportunities for members of the Dartmouth community to learn about and engage with the proposal. 

As you will recall, the Future of the Arts & Sciences project was launched in 2022 as a collective inquiry into the best organization and budget structures to support the teaching, scholarship, and undergraduate student experience that come under the umbrella of the arts and sciences at Dartmouth. The scope of the inquiry was expanded last fall to incorporate the effects a new A&S structure and protocols might have on other schools and on central operations.

We are grateful for the extensive consultation throughout the year, at all levels, which allowed us to repeatedly test and refine key elements of the plan. In total, we've held more than 160 gatherings such as town hall meetings and lunch discussions, as well as meetings with departments, committees, and staff groups to socialize and solicit feedback on the proposal. We also appreciate feedback that the proposal makes a compelling case that the current organizational structure and budget model are problematic for the Arts and Sciences. Given that challenge, we have heard general support among faculty for the organizational and budgetary structures under consideration. Several faculty governance bodies have added their input, and the Council on Institutional Priorities has endorsed the proposal.   

We anticipate the A&S faculty will take an advisory vote in October before the proposal goes to President Beilock for her consideration and further action. This timeline gives us additional time in the early fall to present and explain the proposal to interested stakeholders. As always, feel free to reach out to us at nina.pavcnik@dartmouth.edu and david.kotz@dartmouth.edu if you have any questions about the project or would like to meet with us during the summer.

Your continued engagement and feedback reflects your deep dedication to the arts and sciences mission and that gives us confidence about the future of the Arts and Sciences. We wish you a productive summer term and a relaxing summer.

With appreciation,

Dave and Nina