Re: Dartmouth Only Ivy to Abstain from Signing Letter Against Trump Administration Funding Cuts
Dartmouth deserves better than to be the lone Ivy omitted from the AACU letter. So-called “brave spaces” for open discourse mean nothing when they are hosted in the shadow of a coward who deliberately dodges opportunities to stand for America’s — never mind Dartmouth’s — core values. Sadly, near the anniversary of last year’s unnecessarily aggressive crackdown on May Day protests, a pattern has emerged.
Despite what a College spokesperson says, this is no ordinary “open form letter” to sign onto any more than the Declaration of Independence was. This was a missed opportunity to stand in solidarity against tyranny. As reported, former College President Hanlon and Professor Bethany Moreton get it and have lifted their voices in support of academic freedom.
How does it feel to be an international student who trusted the College to stand up for truth and other liberal arts values when they traveled many miles to pursue their education at Dartmouth?
As an alumna, here is what I would tell dismayed students since Dartmouth’s administration apparently won’t:
You are not alone.
You and other students should know that many alumni find this outlier stance outrageous and at odds with the liberal arts education you deserve — and we alumni were able to receive — at Dartmouth.
You should be able to enjoy academic freedom, without fearing that you could wake up one morning without a visa.
If a stellar liberal arts education stands for anything, it is this: now is the time to stand up to tyranny.
The letter is still accepting signatures.
In solidarity,
Gretchen Freeman Cappio ’95
Gretchen Freeman Cappio is a member of the Class of 1995. Letters to the Editor represent the views of their author(s), which are not necessarily those of The Dartmouth.
