Here’s an update on the emergency community meeting hosted by a Latino students’ group after the protest that included the Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Inge-Lise Ameer: http://www.dartreview.com/protesters-deny-physical-harassment-gain-vice-provost-ameers-endorsement/ Ameer reportedly commented that “The protest was a wonderful, beautiful thing.” The online responses to her comment and that article confirm what my father used to say, “What you see depends on where you stand.”
I think it would take a strong individual to face the liberal media backlash that would result from standing up against the violence and intimidation that BLM has brought to Dartmouth. I don’t think Philip Hanlon has the spine for it
It feels like everyone is just holding their breath, waiting out the few days until the quarter is over and everyone clears out!
Yes, I think a lot of school administrators are happy turkey day is around the corner.
Phil Hanlon’s response that was forwarded to parents and families yesterday:
Message to the Community
November 13, 2016
Dear students, faculty, and staff,
At its best and strongest, Dartmouth is a place where every person is treated with dignity and respect, where we move beyond stereotypes and caricatures and learn about each other as individuals, and where we discuss challenging issues with a shared goal of making our community–and our world–more inclusive and more just. Recent events at college campuses across the country serve as a reminder that there is more work to do to strengthen our community.
We have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others, to recognize our own limitations, to broaden our understandings, and to see issues from new perspectives. That’s why we’re here.
Although we have more to do here at Dartmouth, we have a wealth of diversity on this intimate campus. Every day we have the chance to interact with classmates, professors, and staff whose experiences are dramatically different from our own. We must take advantage of these opportunities. But a diverse environment is only a first step; what we must continue to strive for is a diverse community.
This fall we inaugurated a Dartmouth citizenship pledge, drafted by students, faculty, and staff, in which we recommitted ourselves to these principles:
“We learn together. We teach one another. We create knowledge together. We treat ourselves and each other with dignity and respect. We recognize that our diverse backgrounds broaden our understanding of the world. We appreciate that an honest and civil exchange of ideas–especially conflicting ones–strengthens our intellect and makes for an inclusive community.”
These are not just words on a page. The inclusion and safety of all members of our campus is a responsibility we each hold as citizens of the Dartmouth community. Each of us should play a role in confronting harmful and hurtful behavior. We should not tolerate acts of prejudice. We must be ready to listen with respect. And we should expect to be spoken to with respect. Free expression and the open exchange of ideas are the essential underpinnings of this, and every, academic community.
We have much to learn and much to do–here, and in the wider world–to make every person feel welcomed and valued, to confront acts of bias and ignorance, to engage in respectful conversations about challenging topics with people who have a diversity of opinions, and to increase our diversity in all areas of our community. Like so many in the Dartmouth family, I am committed to pursuing these goals. I ask you to join us, and thank you for your partnership.
Sincerely,
Phil Hanlon '77
President
The response by DC to the BLM demonstration last week has been weak, if not pathetic. I think, sad to say, that Daniel Henninger in his opinion piece, which ran in the WSJ yesterday, pretty much captures the mood and the moment on too many of our campuses these days: " American institutions of higher learning are beset by intellectual anarchy that is eroding their reason for being…Now [the] students organize themselves into mini-mobs—recently at Missouri, Yale and Dartmouth—to silence anyone on campus who they imagine disagrees with them. Once it is established that ‘hostile speech is not free speech’, they can do anything they want to their targets, because the opposition is …no good."
^^ Wish I could read it but don’t have a subscription and the WSJ is really strict with who gets to access the site! Oh well!
Never mind, I found a copy on another site!
An email from Pres. Hanlon just arrived in my inbox. For any who haven’t seen it yet…
"As fall term comes to an end, we have much to celebrate in the accomplishments of Dartmouth students–a new crop of Phi Beta Kappa scholars, inspired productions in the arts, and championship athletic teams. We also salute the achievements of our faculty–recognized for innovative teaching and distinguished programs, new memberships in scholarly societies, and important contributions in the full range of disciplines, from the humanities to the sciences.
These accomplishments should not be overshadowed by the intensity of feelings around the events of the last two weeks, which include social unrest at colleges and universities across the country, including at Dartmouth. As we think about these events and reflect on what has happened on our campus, let me emphasize several bedrock principles that guide our work:
- Each Dartmouth student is a full-fledged citizen of this community, with all the rights and responsibilities that citizenship entails.
- We strive to balance freedom of speech with strong community values of civil discourse--though we recognize that at times these principles conflict.
- At their core, institutions of higher education are places where open inquiry and the free debate about difficult and sometimes uncomfortable ideas must thrive.
On Thursday evening, Nov. 12, a large demonstration by members of the Dartmouth and Upper Valley communities culminated in a moment of silence in front of Dartmouth Hall. This demonstration was a powerful expression of unity in support of social justice–Dartmouth at its strongest.
I cannot say the same about events that transpired in Baker Library immediately afterward. I have heard reports of vulgar epithets, personal insults, and intimidating actions used both by students who entered the library and students who were already in the library. We are actively investigating all reports of violations of College policy, and will enforce appropriate sanctions. Such behavior is antithetical to our values and goals as an institution. As one of the great institutions of higher learning, we are committed to the open and energetic exchange of ideas. And as Dartmouth’s citizenship pledge reminds us, we must treat each person with dignity and respect. Abusive language aimed at community members–by any group, at any time, in any place–is not acceptable.
As the exam period draws to a close, we are all looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday and time with our loved ones. I hope we use the December break as a time to reflect on the fall term and return invigorated and committed more than ever to making our community strong and unified in purpose–even when we disagree–and rededicate ourselves to take on academic challenges and continue to tackle the world’s most vexing problems.
Sincerely,
Phil Hanlon '77
President"
Phil found a spine?
I was happy to read, “Abusive language aimed at community members – by any group, at any time, in any place – is not acceptable.” I agree. And I’m guessing a lot of other parents did, and said so, as well. That may have been part of his motivation.
I was relieved to get that message today also. I hope he didn’t just say that due to parental or other pressure, but that he really believes it to be true and wants to do something about it.
At least, the college is now “actively investigating all reports of violations of College policy” and not hiding behind the bogus lack of any “official” complaints, but the proof is in the pudding. We shall see if (a) anything actually happens or (b) student privacy rights will trump any reports of discipline for violations (extremely likely) or © they are hoping that it all goes away over the winter break. I’m cynical enough to expect that the last of those three possibilities will prove to be the case. I would love to be wrong.
I think that for them, the holiday break couldn’t have come at a better time!
My son (Class of 2016) was quite pleased to receive Hanlon’s letter yesterday…as was I. I told my son that Hanlon’s words were strong. Now we will wait and see if his actions here will be just as strong. Based on his past performances, however, I sense that Hanlon is all hat, no cattle. Like “About the Same”, I too would love to be proven wrong here.
I think that Hanlon is doing a superb job at Dartmouth. He’s moving the campus in a positive direction. He has to bring everyone along with him.
Just commenting to bump up this thread in case there are any new CC parents out there from the newly admitted early decision class. Enjoy the ride! Dartmouth is a truly special place. I found this thread to be very helpful during my DD’s college years (she is a '14). Congratulations!!
Thanks dumbo11. My daughter received ED acceptance from Dartmouth. Would love to connect with fellow parents of the class 2020.
Congrats to your daughter, @Grandbassam! I’m the parent of a '19, so we have one full quarter under our belt!
@b1ggreenca Many thanks! Hope your child enjoyed his (or her) 1st quarter.