At Dartmouth, we know that our campus thrives when every member of our community feels free and empowered to share their perspectives, challenge ideas and take part in meaningful dialogue. Freedom of expression and dissent is, therefore, a powerful tradition at Dartmouth, shaping our community's legacy of producing the next generation of leaders. This engagement in expression is critical to building excellence and central to Dartmouth’s mission.
Dartmouth has a number of campus partners to help students navigate the policies protecting free expression and dissent while ensuring the safety and rights of the community. This page provides information for organizing and conducting expressive events and demonstrations on Dartmouth’s campus.
Dartmouth’s Freedom of Expression and Dissent Policy:
Freedom of expression and dissent is protected by Dartmouth regulations. Dartmouth prizes and defends the right of free speech and the freedom of the individual to make their own disclosures, while at the same time recognizing that such freedom exists in the context of the law and in responsibility for one's own actions. The exercise of these rights must not deny the same rights to any other individual. The institution therefore both fosters and protects the rights of individuals to express dissent.
Protest or demonstration shall not be discouraged so long as neither force nor the threat of force is used, and so long as the orderly processes of the institution are not deliberately obstructed. Membership in the Dartmouth community carries with it, as a necessary condition, the agreement to honor and abide by this policy.
Freedom of Expression Resources
Policies Related to Expressive Activities1
- Use of the College Green and Campus Grounds
- Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) Operation Policy
- Filming and Photography on the Dartmouth Campus
- Right to Privacy
- Federal Limitations on Political Campaign-Related Activities
- Outdoor Event Reservation Policy
- Buildings and Facilities
- Excessive Noise Policy
- Sponsorship of Events by Departments and Recognized Organizations
- Use of Dartmouth Facilities
- Outside Speaker Event Expectations2
Guidelines for Conduct
- Principles of Community
- Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and Resolution Procedures
- Notice of Nondiscrimination
- Equal Opportunity
- Undergraduate Student Affairs: Standards of Conduct
- Group Accountability Statement
- Geisel School: Medical Student Handbook
- Guarini School: Academic and Conduct Regulations
- Thayer School: Student Handbook
- Tuck School: Student Handbook
Additional Resources
Breakfast Club
All Dartmouth community members have a key role in shaping and refining Dartmouth’s approach to protecting and encouraging free expression. We invite you to join SVP Jennifer Rosales and Presidential Fellow Kiara Ortiz every Thursday from 9-10 am in the Tucker Center’s living room to share your ideas, concerns, and questions. Your input is valuable as we strive to implement best practices together as a community.
LiveSafe
The LiveSafe app is the easiest way to communicate with DoSS in the moment, allowing members of the Dartmouth community to easily and immediately seek assistance.” LiveSafe will be used by Dartmouth and DoSS to share important information, and live updates during events and activities.
Doxxing Resources
These guidelines contain potential actions targets of doxxing may take to navigate these complex and upsetting situations by leveraging law enforcement, public, and, to the extent possible, campus resources
- Nothing in these policies, rules, and regulations should be interpreted, applied, or enforced to interfere with, restrain, or coerce Dartmouth employees in the exercise of their rights to engage in protected, concerted activity under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act. ↩︎
- Council on Student Organizations (COSO) Policy. Applies to COSO recognized organizations only. ↩︎