FAS Vote Outcome on A&S Future Project

Dear colleagues,

We write this evening to share the outcome of today's Faculty of Arts and Sciences advisory vote on a school of arts and sciences. We're pleased to share that the majority of faculty members voted in favor of creating a school of arts and sciences (243 in favor, 63 opposed, out of a total 555 possible votes). Today's vote, while significant, does not represent the end of the process, but it is an important step forward. 

The outcome is a testament to more than two years of hard work by many faculty and staff dedicated to conceptualizing a new organizational structure for arts and sciences, collaborating with colleagues across campus, including students, and drafting a compelling proposal for how Dartmouth can even more effectively deliver on its arts and sciences teaching and research mission. 

Starting in summer 2022, task groups worked to develop recommendations to the Steering Committee on a new model for arts and sciences. Following community input, the Steering Committee put forward a proposal for a school of arts and sciences in Winter 2024. The committee diligently gathered extensive community feedback, ultimately releasing a refined Fall 2024 proposal, which was voted on today. These efforts, including corresponding achievements and past community engagements, are documented on the Arts and Sciences Future website. 

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone involved in this undertaking and especially thank:

• the Steering Committee—both past and current members—who have worked tirelessly to create and evolve the A&S proposal in line with community feedback,
• the Committee on Organization and Policy (COP) and Committee on Priorities (CPr) for their engagement with the original and updated versions of the proposal, including circulating a memo in support of the new school,
• the co-Leads and members of more than a dozen working groups that investigated different aspects of school development in order to make recommendations and provide critical context to the Steering Committee and other project leaders,
• the Deans who submitted memos to President Beilock voicing their input and considerations for a new school of A&S, and
• the hundreds of Dartmouth faculty and staff who participated in interviews, focus groups, discussion lunches, town halls, and other forums to engage with and help push our thinking on the proposal.

The results of today's vote will be delivered to President Beilock for her consideration. As we have throughout the process, we will keep you apprised of what comes next following the president's review.

We look forward to bringing you further updates soon. 

Best, 

David Kotz '86

Provost and the Pat and John Rosenwald Professor in the Department of Computer Science

Nina Pavcnik

Professor of Economics and Niehaus Family Professor in International Studies