Dartmouth College President Sian Beilock has garnered both significant praise and strong condemnation for her approach to free speech and campus protests, culminating in a historic faculty censure vote. On May 20, 2024, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences voted 183 to 163 to censure President Beilock, marking a rare rebuke in the college's over 250-year history. This division reflects broader national debates regarding free expression and institutional responses to student activism.
The censure motion stemmed directly from President Beilock's decision to call police to disperse a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus on May 1, 2024. During the incident, 89 students, faculty, and community members were arrested, primarily on charges of criminal trespassing. Faculty members who introduced the censure motion, some of whom were arrested, stated it "condemns the President’s actions on May 1" as harmful to the community and disruptive to the university’s educational mission.
President Beilock's stance has drawn support from various quarters, as highlighted by a recent tweet from The New Yorker: > "Sian Beilock, Dartmouth’s president, has earned praise from free-speech advocates, conservative publications, and members of the Trump Administration, along with furious condemnation from other academic leaders." Supporters often commend her for maintaining order and for not yielding to protest demands, viewing her actions as a defense of institutional policies and a strong stance against disruptive demonstrations. Some also appreciate her decision not to join other university leaders in denouncing perceived federal overreach in higher education, seeing it as a commitment to Dartmouth's autonomy.
Conversely, many academic leaders and a significant portion of Dartmouth's faculty and alumni have expressed strong disapproval. Critics argue that summoning law enforcement to handle peaceful student protests stifles free speech and academic freedom on campus. The faculty censure vote underscored these concerns, with some faculty members asserting that Beilock's actions set a "dangerous precedent" for free expression.
In response to the criticism, President Beilock has defended her decisions, stating she believed there was a "reasonable and credible threat of violence" during the May 1 protest. She has also emphasized her commitment to fostering open dialogue through initiatives like "Dartmouth Dialogues," aiming to create spaces for respectful conversations on difficult topics. Despite the faculty censure, the Dartmouth Board of Trustees has unequivocally expressed its support for President Beilock, applauding her "strong leadership" in challenging circumstances.