Message from the Interim Dean of the College to New Students
August 29, 2014
Dear '18s:
I can't tell you how excited we are to meet you. As you prepare for Pre-Orientation programs, DOC Trips, and your move to Dartmouth, I want to take a moment to remind you of our core values, and to share the expectations and obligations you assume as you enter our community.
Academic Honor: Those of you who are following the Orientation Blog "Of Note" have seen John Pfister's post about our Academic Honor Principle, which has been in place at Dartmouth for more than fifty years. As our Faculty stated in 1962, "The Faculty of Dartmouth College, in recognizing the responsibility of students for their own education, assumes intellectual honesty and integrity in the performance of academic assignments, both in the classroom and outside. Each student upon enrollment at Dartmouth College accepts this responsibility with the understanding that any student who submits work which is not his or her own violates the purpose of the College.." Take Professor Pfister's advice and "integrate the Academic Honor Principle into your daily-and scholarly-life." Please live up to the trust our faculty have placed in you, and consult them if you need help.
Civility and Inclusivity: Our Principle of Community provides that "The life and work of a Dartmouth student should be based on integrity, responsibility and consideration. In all activities each student is expected to be sensitive to and respectful of the rights and interests of others and to be personally honest. He or she should be appreciative of the diversity of the community as providing an opportunity for learning and moral growth." You will learn most when you make meaningful connections across differences, whether those differences lie in ideas, disciplines, cultures, backgrounds, nationalities, faiths, race and ethnicity, socio-economic class or personal experience. Step out of your comfort zone, seek different perspectives, challenge your assumptions, and contribute to a campus community that enables everyone to thrive and succeed. Know that we defend the right to freedom of expression and encourage the free and open exchange of ideas, but harassing behavior and threats of harm are not acceptable. In all that you do, please be at your best.
Accountability: As the Preamble to our Community Standards reflects, "The integrity of the Dartmouth community depends on students' and student organizations' acceptance of individual responsibility and respect for the rights of others." As you arrive at Dartmouth, please accept your personal responsibility for positive citizenship and conduct yourself in a manner that supports and promotes a successful learning community. Sexual misconduct, hazing, the use of physical violence, drug use, behavior resulting from excessive alcohol consumption and other harmful and disruptive activities have no place here. The enclosed message from Judicial Affairs provides a brief summary of our Standards of Conduct. Please review and share with your parents, who will be receiving a similar message. You will receive the link to the 2014-2015 Student Handbook before the term begins.
Academic and personal integrity are among our highest and best values. As you arrive at Dartmouth, you will make choices every day that demonstrate your personal character and come to define your class as a whole. Together, you can make the Class of 2018 the best class ever. We will see you soon.
Sincerely,
Inge-Lise Ameer
Interim Dean of the College