Dear colleagues,
As you may know, the Supreme Court earlier today significantly limited how colleges can consider race in admissions.
I urge you to read President Sian Leah Beilock's message that reaffirms Dartmouth's commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community of faculty, students, and staff. Simply put, strengthening and sustaining a diverse community is core to our mission of creating knowledge and preparing students for a lifetime of learning and responsible leadership.
The hallmark of a liberal arts education at Dartmouth is the ability to develop critical thinking, listening, and speaking skills that enable students to engage in thoughtful and evidence-based deliberations on the most pressing issues. A critical component of this experience is engaging respectfully with people from different backgrounds and with varied perspectives. What's more, we have ample evidence that diverse teams are better equipped to solve problems that improve society. The arts, too, thrive in communities where we can be surprised by new and unfamiliar ideas. Every aspect of our aspirations in the Arts and Sciences is strengthened by the many forms of diversity that faculty, students, and staff bring to their work.
As we all absorb the implications of the court's ruling, I encourage you to foster opportunities for respectful dialogue. Additionally, if needed, please take advantage of our Faculty/Employee Assistance Program, which offers confidential counseling 24/7. If you encounter a student who would like to speak with a counselor, please remind them of Dartmouth's mental health and wellness resources:
How race may inform admissions is only one component of Dartmouth's broader strategies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We remain as committed as ever to broadening participation and elevating innovation.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth F. Smith
Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
