Omar Rashid ’29 lives in Gaza – you can read more about his story from his incoming classmates or through his Instagram. He has risked his life to apply to Dartmouth, and his dream of being accepted came true in December. Yet without help, he may never arrive. Israel has broken the ceasefire, and Gaza has been sealed off from the world. No humanitarian aid has entered Gaza for over a month, and the Israelis allow virtually no one to leave.
At the same time, Dartmouth has appointed Matthew Raymer ’03 as senior vice president and chief legal counsel for the College. As the news media was quick to note, Raymer previously served as chief counsel for the Republican National Convention, recently supported President Trump’s call to redefine birthright citizenship and now oversees Dartmouth’s Office of Visas and Immigration.
It is no surprise that many of Dartmouth’s community members view Raymer’s appointment as a red flag. As Eli Moyse ’27 recently wrote in The Dartmouth, these threats are real. Experts are warning that American civil liberties are eroding, and students are among the most exposed. 14% of the Class of 2028 are international students. At peer institutions, the current administration is coercing trans athlete bans and dismantling diversity, equity and inclusivity programming. Plainclothes police are now literally snatching international students off the streets. Raymer could easily be seen as the fox guarding the henhouse.
On April 4, leaders of identity-based alumni groups — including the Dartmouth Association of Latino Alumni and Women of Dartmouth — met privately with Raymer and College President Sian Leah Beilock to discuss these concerns. According to a document from DALA, Raymer emphasized that his role is to represent the College’s best interests and pledged to protect its students. But given both his and Beilock’s records, words alone aren’t enough. Without real, visible action, that pledge is difficult to believe.
Meanwhile, Omar’s future hangs by a thread. From alumni and students who have contacted him, he is living under siege, without food. Dartmouth could play a transformative role for Omar’s life and, through him, the future of his country and people. There is no doubt we would learn and gain far more from him. The alternative is too grim to consider — a tragic betrayal of a young man who has put everything on the line for this chance.
Despite having never stepped foot outside Gaza, Omar is already irrevocably part of Dartmouth’s community. His community of Dartmouth students has rallied around him, and as have alumni. A petition supporting his arrival has gathered over 40,000 signatures. A GoFundMe has raised nearly $40,000. Omar’s story has reached hundreds of thousands online through social media.
Yet, this outpouring of support could be powerless to change his situation. Omar has told alumni that donations are useless when there is no bread in Gaza for money to buy. Evacuation requires Israeli approval, which is often denied even to aid workers. Yet it is not impossible – Omar is in communication with Gazan students accepted at universities in Ireland who are making progress on evacuations and visas. Omar has no transparency about whether Dartmouth is actively pursuing the kind of high-level diplomatic intervention required to help.
Mr. Raymer, you now oversee Dartmouth’s office for visas and international students. You are a lawyer selected for this role, undoubtedly based on your clout and connections within the Trump administration. You are facing skepticism whether you will be proactive in protecting the very same students that are being politically targeted. At the same time, you have shared your love for Dartmouth and your commitment to the well-being of this school and its students.
Mr. Raymer, if you mean what you say, bring Omar Rashid to Hanover. If your appointment is indeed a strategic defence for the Dartmouth community, then please defend this gifted young man who has put his life on the line to join our College. Take a real, preemptive, meaningful step to improve the damaged trust of students in their administrators and make your positive intentions clear. I urge you to take responsibility for Omar’s life, for his safe arrival, and his protection on campus while he completes his studies.
Peter Cooch ’07 is a member of Dartmouth Alumni for Palestine. Opinion articles represent the views of their author(s), which are not necessarily those of The Dartmouth.
