On May 20, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Dartmouth College voted to censure College President Sian Leah Beilock. The vote saw 183 faculty members in favor and 163 against, representing more than half of the approximately 600 faculty members.
The censure motion was brought forward by religion professor Christopher MacEvitt, condemning President Beilock for her actions during the May 1 protest. On that day, police arrested 89 individuals during a pro-Palestinian protest. Beilock had requested police assistance to dismantle the protest encampment and stood by her decision.
Dartmouth spokesperson Jana Barnello stated that the vote reflects the deep divisions within the community and the challenges of maintaining safety. She emphasized the importance of dialogue and unity moving forward.
The faculty meeting, held in the Hanover Inn Grand Ballroom, lasted over two hours and was attended by 200 to 300 faculty members, with additional participants joining via Zoom. Dean of Faculty Elizabeth Smith opened the meeting by addressing recent campus tensions and the need for a return to respectful dialogue.
President Beilock expressed sadness over the divisions within the faculty. She confirmed that no students would face suspension or expulsion and that efforts were being made to drop charges against those wrongfully arrested.
During the meeting, faculty members discussed the censure motion, expressing both support and opposition. Economics professor David Blanchflower opposed the censure, mentioning a petition with 4,180 signatures supporting Beilock.
In contrast, English professor Alexander Chee and comparative literature professor Ainsley Morse supported the motion, criticizing Beilock’s actions as harmful to the community. Classics professor Margaret Graver argued against the censure, warning that it would only further divide the campus.