Letter from the Dean October 2019

Dear Families,

The stories in this month's Speaking of Dartmouth reflect the rich array of learning opportunities and campus activities this fall - from Arctic research and Homecoming events to Indigenous People's month and presidential candidate visits. We are all fortunate to be part of such a dynamic and diverse community.

We are also fortunate to be part of such a supportive community. You may have heard from your students that we suffered a tragic loss of one of my faculty colleagues this week. At times like these, many students seek sources of emotional and spiritual support. The undergraduate deans, counselors and members of our campus clergy have been reaching out to students who may be affected -directly or indirectly- by this news.

I want to be sure that in addition to other campus resources, you as families know that the Tucker Center for Spiritual and Ethical Life provides supportive pastoral care for students who come from a wide range of religious backgrounds, as well as those who identify as secular, seeking, questioning or atheist.  Confidential counseling with the College Chaplain and ordained members of the United Campus Ministers, who represent a wide range of world faith traditions, is available to all students in all moments of their Dartmouth life experience. Many students also draw strength and connection through a spectrum of sacred celebrations on campus throughout the year, as well as from multifaith dialogues and programs that create connections across backgrounds and traditions. Please encourage your students to contact Tucker and the Chaplain's office if they'd like to know more. 

With best wishes,

Kathryn Lively

Dean of the College

Professor of Sociology