Greetings BADA Family!
Last week, I was asked to forward you an email from the College regarding a student “disruption at Parkhurst.” However, after seeing a video of one of the students being knocked to the ground—an image that didn’t align with the College’s statement, I felt it was more appropriate to provide you with the students’ statements in order for you to have a better perspective to form your own opinion.
We have been witnessing a steady erosion of trust within the Dartmouth community, and this moment demands that each of us examine the situation critically and ask the difficult questions.
A record number of alumni responded to the recent Alumni Council survey, with 96% expressing disapproval and concern over the College’s actions. Similarly, a Dartmouth News student survey revealed that about 60% of students feel unsafe and unprotected on campus. Are these “Brave Spaces”?
In addition, an unprecedented number of faculty members have signed a letter urging the president to endorse the AACU statement and stand with other institutions against government overreach. The issue of the letter matters as an assurance to faculty a sense of solidarity among their colleagues for academic freedom.
The data is clear—and more importantly, it tells a story of disconnect, division, and dismissiveness. It’s time for all of us to insist that the Board of Trustees uphold their duty of care and fiduciary responsibility to Dartmouth—its legacy, its future, and our beloved community.
In public statements, Trustees have expressed surprise at the depth of this divide and suggested that it stems from a failure to communicate. But the evidence points to a deeper issue: a failure to listen and understand the concerns of the very community they serve.
This moment requires moral clarity, courage, and integrity. Words like “principles” and “values” lose meaning when they cannot be clearly articulated and demonstrated — or worse, when they are used to alienate and divide.
Leaders from affiliated groups have consistently called for clear declaratory statements around three fundamental community agreements—requests that echo some of the demands from student workers:
- What assurances exist for students, faculty, and staff here on visas? Will General Counsel advocate vigorously for their safety and protection? What are the limits on ICE presence or cooperation on campus?
- How will the college ensure equal protection for all—on the Green, in the classroom, and in the practice of sacred traditions?
- Academic Freedom and Free Speech: What concrete commitments will the college make to protect these rights, particularly against government overreach?
The only true communication failure is the absence of a clear, emphatic statement addressing these core concerns. To resolve this is simple: Actually meet the demands of the student workers. These student demands are consistent with those of alumni, faculty, and staff.
As alumni, we have given our time, talent, and treasure to a college we love. We are regularly asked to serve as ambassadors to prospective students—to welcome them, encourage them, and answer their questions. But it compromises our integrity to advocate for Dartmouth when we ourselves are not assured these students will be safe, especially those far from home for the very first time and, in many cases, under the age of 18. To respond merely with anodyne statements such as “we will follow the law” or “carry your papers” offer little comfort and are stunningly tone-deaf, especially given historical context.
When we think about what it means to be in community and how we support one another we must also have a fundamental agreement on the recognition of each other’s humanity – and we must uphold an expectation for this administration that we insist as a minimum for our students and other members of our community. This means that the use of dehumanizing language such as “illegal immigrant” and “alien” must not be tolerated from the General Council or any member of this administration.
Every member of the Dartmouth community deserves equal protection—beyond the Green. That protection should extend to academic exploration, critical inquiry, and the right to participate in sacred traditions free from interference.
We have enthusiastically supported initiatives that honor the contributions of Dartmouth’s dynamic Black community. But to acquiesce to political pressure from Washington threatens to erase this very legacy and endangers the initiatives we’ve worked so diligently to build.
From my recent visit to Hanover, I can say without doubt: the discontent is real and echoes what surveys have confirmed. Our Dartmouth community is fractured—not due to disagreement among our community constituencies, but because of a failure by the administration and trustees to engage in true community-building: listening, empathy, curiosity, and accountability.
We are part of a thoughtful and resilient community. It is time we insist that the Board of Trustees reaffirm their moral and ethical obligations to Dartmouth and resist political pressures that disproportionately harm our most vulnerable and marginalized members.
Many of us have decided to support the Dartmouth community in ways we can exercise our voice and agency to demonstrate our care and support for one another – without requiring the permission or participation of this administration. These deliberate actions are meant to protect the Dartmouth community and culture we cherish – such are the foundations of our beloved Dartmouth traditions which took hundreds of years to build. We encourage you to join us.
Our community has always demonstrated that we will find a way or make one. These times have tested us – but it has also forged our resolve to protect our legacy and our community. Let us find our way to preserve our legacy and love of Dartmouth – and to make it one of celebration and joy.
We have so much to celebrate. You will hear more from us soon about that!