The Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Dartmouth College made a historic decision on Monday to censure the university’s president, Sian Leah Beilock, over her controversial decision to involve the police in removing a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. The vote, which was close at 183 to 163, highlighted the division on campus regarding Dr. Beilock’s actions.
The encampment was set up on the college green and was swiftly removed by the police, resulting in the arrest of 89 individuals, including two faculty members. One of the faculty members, Annelise Orleck, a labor historian, was physically harmed during the incident. Dr. Orleck expressed her satisfaction with the censure vote, emphasizing the importance of considering peaceful solutions before resorting to violence against student protesters.
This censure vote is believed to be the first of its kind in Dartmouth’s 255-year history. Similar actions have been taken at other universities, such as Columbia University, where a vote of no confidence was passed against their president over a similar issue. Dr. Beilock, who took on the role of president at Dartmouth last June, has a background in cognitive science and previously served as the president of Barnard College.
The university released a statement acknowledging the divided opinions on the matter, noting that over 200 faculty members had signed a petition in support of Dr. Beilock. The statement also highlighted the broader context of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has sparked debates and tensions worldwide.
As this story continues to develop, stay tuned for updates on the situation at Dartmouth College.
