Dear students,
At the start of fall term, President Beilock emphasized the importance of community. We write today to update you on how we are furthering Dartmouth's tradition of care and concern for one another. We would also like to thank you for your partnership—in sharing your stories with us, expressing your concerns, and bringing opportunities to our attention—as we continue to build a safe and tight-knit culture together.
This term, your feedback and input led to a new website full of mental health and wellness resources, improved wellness programming for students, free swimming lessons, and other reduced-fee opportunities. Following the tragic student deaths on the river, the Department of Safety and Security increased its presence near our waterfront, particularly at night, and we improved lighting and signage around the swimming docks. We also gathered multiple times to reflect together on community and global events. As part of practicing dialogue across difference, we piloted programs during New Student Orientation that enabled members of the Class of 2028 to get to know one another and to hear from current students about their Dartmouth experience.
We also heard from many of you about ideas to create a safer, healthier, and more inclusive campus environment—ranging from training for student organization leaders to additional safety measures, including the feasibility of expanding late-night transportation for students. Below are several initiatives we are working on and we look forward to engaging you in their development when you return from break:
- Providing additional leadership and team-building training programs for student organizations, with a focus on student leaders before Sophomore Summer;
- Expanding our Sexual Violence Prevention Project, Dartmouth Bystander Initiative and alcohol education trainings;
- Enhanced mandatory water-safety training for all incoming students;
- Hiring a director of Greek Life and Student Societies who can review our current organizational structure and resources;
- Reviewing the Alcohol Management Program to ensure it is effective and reflects the reality of today's student experiences;
- And coordinating and broadening risky-behavior prevention efforts and resources across campus, led by teams in Health and Wellness.
We hope you will continue to look out for one another and call on available resources when you or someone else needs help. Since the elimination of fees related to the Good Sam policy last year, more students have made use of the service to support friends in need. This is part of the culture of care and support that we want to reinforce in all areas of campus life.
It is also important that we address the role of accountability. At Dartmouth, we prioritize the development of meaningful standards of conduct and education that reflect our shared expectations for membership in this community. Our Community Standards processes are designed to be educational and supportive. We don't comment on specific proceedings, but it is important for you to know that we take all reports of alleged violations very seriously and conduct thorough investigations.
Each of us has a role to play making our community stronger and more supportive of one another, and we are at our best when we do this important work together. As always, we encourage you to stop by the weekly deans' office hours, offered every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in Parkhurst 102. Community and Campus Life also hosts office hours from noon-1 p.m. on Tuesdays in Parkhurst 204.
Enjoy your winterim. We will be here working to support your undergraduate experience and making Dartmouth even better. We can't wait for you to get back.
Best,
Anne Hudak and Eric Ramsey
Interim Deans of the College
Estevan Garcia
Chief Health and Wellness Officer
Jennifer Rosales
Senior Vice President for Community and Campus Life