Dear Dartmouth community,
As we step into spring, I have thought a lot about this message and what I might say at a time when I have been hearing from people—on campus and off—who hold markedly different views about the state of higher education, our country, and the world. What I keep coming back to is the following: As we grapple with difference and change, Dartmouth’s academic mission and core values remain the same. And, as always, I will do everything I can to ensure we continue to live by our values by supporting our faculty, students, and staff—especially those among us who are most vulnerable.
It is no secret that trust in higher education is at an all-time low. Over the years, many universities have taken positions on social and political issues not directly tied to their mission. It appeared they were picking a side, which had the unintended effect of undermining trust in the objectivity of our institutions. Add to this concerns about academic freedom (i.e., our faculty’s ability to discuss, teach, and research issues in their academic discipline without interference from me, Dartmouth’s board, the government, or anyone else, for that matter) and international faculty, students, and staff’s place on our campuses—the challenges are high. But, with hard times comes an opportunity to further commit to what is unique about Dartmouth. “Vox clamantis in deserto.”
First, let me be clear that I see academic freedom as fundamental to who we are. I also believe that with that freedom comes great responsibility to teach students “how to think” rather than “what to think.” I am so impressed by how our faculty, as true teacher-scholars, live up to this responsibility every day. Second, the academic excellence that arises in and outside of our classrooms occurs, in part, because we have different people with a variety of experiences who come together from around the globe. We truly are a basecamp to the world, and our international community is also fundamental to who we are.
Dartmouth is a fiercely independent educational institution, not a political one, and disagreement is a feature of our system, not a bug. Today, we are meeting people in our community where they are. That includes making sure individuals know their rights as we monitor and respond to federal policy changes across research funding, immigration, and diversity and inclusion. We are being clear that we welcome conservative and liberal voices alike, and that free expression is vital to our mission yet does not entail robbing others of their ability to speak or engage fully with our campus. We are underscoring, at every turn, that discrimination—whether based on race, religion, or identity—is never OK. Finally, we are preparing for a range of scenarios to ensure Dartmouth remains on solid financial footing so that we can further invest in our priorities and our people.
Dartmouth is in a different place today than many of our peers. That is not a position that we should take for granted, nor is it by accident. In order to support greater freedom of expression by individuals on our campus, our commitment to institutional restraint means that we—starting with my senior team and me but applying to academic units as well—are expected to exercise restraint in speaking out on current events unrelated to our academic mission.
That said, restraint does not mean retreat. Vice Provost for Research Dean Madden has spoken with media about the importance of preserving federal research funding, and Tuck School of Business Dean Matt Slaughter has written about the benefits of universities attracting international talent to the U.S. Since January, I have visited Washington three times and spent a productive day in Concord. When I meet with elected officials, Democrats and Republicans alike, I consistently tout the importance of our mission and describe what makes us a different kind of Ivy. I am also working hand-in-hand with our associations (e.g., the American Association of Universities and the American Council on Education) to tell the story of the uniquely successful American partnership between government and academia.
Later this week, Provost Dave Kotz will share an updated and more expansive freedom of expression and dissent policy for students based on recommendations from a committee led by Professor Sam Levey. SVP Jennifer Rosales will follow up with a message of her own about new ways Dartmouth is working to support freedom of expression in practice.
We will continue to bring speakers from across the political spectrum to Dartmouth. The new 100 Days Series showcases what we do best: create space for dialogue where strongly held views can be challenged. On April 28, the Dialogue Project will take that work global—in partnership with Dartmouth Speech—through a pop-up “portal” (like this one) in Kemeny Courtyard where students, staff, and faculty can have live conversations with artists, students, teachers, and professionals from 20 countries across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and beyond. And in May, a symposium at the Hood Museum of Art tied to Cara Romero’s exhibition will consider, among other things, how arts contribute to dialogue across difference.
Finally, I can’t wait to tell the Class of 2025 about this year’s Commencement speaker, and to join all of our graduating students on the Green in June. I urge you to take part in as many joyful community moments as you can this spring. Reach out for support if you need it. My office hours remain open. As president, my responsibility is to advocate for Dartmouth so that all of you can continue leading, learning, making discoveries, and living out our mission. Let’s keep emphasizing what makes this community great.
Best,
Sian Leah Beilock
President