FAQs

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.

The Freedom of Expression and Dissent Policy applies to all students in each of Dartmouth's five schools. 

The First Amendment protects individuals’ right to freedom of speech and other forms of expression from government interference or censorship. This right is not absolute, but it is broad and powerful. Public universities are government entities and therefore are similarly prohibited from restricting students’ expression under the First Amendment.

Private institutions such as Dartmouth are not bound by the First Amendment and so must establish their own rules if they wish to provide students with specific rights to freedom of expression at their institution. Dartmouth does this by adopting its policy on Freedom of Expression and Dissent.

Approved guest speakers, including high-profile speakers invited by student organizations, departments, etc., are afforded the same privileges under the Freedom of Expression and Dissent Policy as students. Correspondingly, programming, and the guests themselves, are subject to Dartmouth's policies. Student organizations should review and adhere to the Privileges and Expectations of Recognized Student Organizations and other related policies found here. 

No. There have been no changes yet to Dartmouth policies that govern the freedom of expression or campus protest. Some of these policies are under review as part of Dartmouth's standard policy review and revision process.

A faculty-led working group is examining Dartmouth's freedom of expression and dissent policy to understand current practices and consider recommendations for updates or clarifications. The group will seek broad input and consists of a faculty chair appointed by the provost, faculty representatives from the professional schools nominated by their deans, Arts and Sciences faculty members nominated by the Committee on Organization and Policy (COP), and student representatives nominated by student government. It also includes staff members from several relevant offices.

A second faculty-led group is a Committee on Institutional Statements charged with considering how and when Dartmouth (or its component schools, centers, and departments) should speak or post on issues. Like the first committee, the group will consist of a faculty chair appointed by the provost and faculty representatives from all schools. The group will also be advised by staff members from the offices of Communications and the General Counsel. 

Students should be diligent in their planning and ensure they are abiding by all relevant policies and processes. Students should reach out to campus offices or administrators for assistance with space requests, completing necessary permits, and navigating challenges to the Freedom of Expression and Dissent policy. Please contact Conferences and Events and your relevant school or department contacts that help facilitate event planning.

Events held on Dartmouth property that require permits must receive approval from both Dartmouth and the Town of Hanover.

As soon as possible, please contact Conferences and Events who will promptly begin working with you to learn about your event, including logistical needs, and to explain relevant Dartmouth policies. Conferences and Events staff, working with campus partners, will also guide you through the steps needed to request a permit from the town. 

There is now a new Hanover town policy, adopted in January 2025, that offers exceptions to this timeframe for demonstrations, vigils and public protests. This policy requires two business days notice for these kinds of events.  Individuals planning a demonstration, protest, or vigil in less than the required timeframe should continue to work with Conferences and Events as soon as possible to facilitate this process and secure Dartmouth approval for qualifying outdoor events.

 It is important to note it is not guaranteed your event will be approved by either Dartmouth or the Town of Hanover.

Outdoor gatherings of people, with or without amplified sound, require a permit, according to Hanover Town Ordinance No. 34. Permit requests must be submitted at least eight calendar days in advance

There is now a new Hanover town policy, adopted in January 2025, that offers exceptions to this timeframe for demonstrations, vigils and public protests. This policy requires two business days notice for these kinds of events.  Individuals planning a demonstration, protest, or vigil in less than the required timeframe should continue to work with Conferences and Events as soon as possible to facilitate this process and secure Dartmouth approval for qualifying outdoor events.

It is important to note it is not guaranteed your event will be approved by either Dartmouth or the Town of Hanover.

Dartmouth may place limitations on the time, place, and manner of any speaker event, protest, or demonstration. These limitations are outlined in various Dartmouth policies on expressive activities. Some examples of time, place, and manner limitations include, but are not limited to:

• Place: Dartmouth may designate specific areas for activities on campus to occur;
• Time: Dartmouth may restrict the length of time of an event if its continuation after a certain time would interfere with core educational or administrative functions of the institution; and/or
• Manner: Dartmouth may restrict the placement or size of signage.

Additionally, students must adhere to all relevant policies when considering events, programming, and demonstrations.

Actions among those considered to constitute intentional disruption of the orderly processes of Dartmouth include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The unauthorized entry into, or occupation of a private office, work area, or a closed and/or posted Dartmouth Building;
• The failure to maintain clear passage into, out of, or to any part of a Dartmouth building or passageway;
• Conduct that interferes with normal activities or movements in a building, including the failure to vacate a building or office at its normal closing time (the presence of Dartmouthemployees or other authorized individuals in a building or office after hours does not alter the normal closing time);
• Conduct that restricts or prevents Dartmouthemployees from performing their duties; or
• Conduct (including by way of example, obstruction, noise, or the display of banners or objects) that prevents or disrupts the effective carrying out of a College function or approved activity, such as classes, lectures, meetings, interviews, ceremonies, and public events."

At Dartmouth, Open Expression Facilitators (OEFs) are trained faculty and staff members who act as neutral observers, ensuring that Dartmouth's policies on freedom of expression and dissent are upheld. OEFs play an essential role in maintaining the balance between freedom of expression and dissent and orderly conduct during campus events.  Their primary responsibility is to provide support and guidance to event organizers, ensuring that expression is carried out without disruption or infringement on others' rights.

OEFs are typically present at events that may involve high-profile guests, sensitive topics or the potential for disruption. They ensure that all participants can freely express their views while also maintaining the safety and order of the event. Facilitators help manage situations where protests or disagreements arise, working to prevent any escalation that might interfere with the event's proceedings.

Currently, the open expression facilitator program supports undergraduate student events, but work is underway to expand these services to the entire Dartmouth community.

Coordinators of recognized undergraduate organization events can request the presence of an Open Expression Facilitator through an online form.

An OEF may be assigned to any undergraduate event where the Freedom of Expression and Dissent policy might be challenged. This determination will be made based on any number of factors, including, but not limited to the presence of a high-profile guest(s); the nature of the content or proposed topic(s); evidence of potential disruption; recommendation by or from the Freedom of Expression and Dissent committee or Dartmouth administration.

The Department of Safety and Security (DoSS) is not a law enforcement agency; instead, it focuses on maintaining the educational environment and supporting institutional operations, responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the Dartmouth community. During campus protests or other expressive events, DoSS acts as the primary point of contact for concerns about potential violations of policies.

However, if there are potential violations of local, state, or federal laws, the Hanover Police Department, a sworn public law enforcement agency, responds to such situations. While DoSS prioritizes protecting Dartmouth assets and promoting safety through internal mechanisms, the Hanover Police enforce laws and serve the wider Hanover community, including Dartmouth.

The Department of Safety and Security is always available to you, and encourages you to contact them for any reason, at any time via the LiveSafe app or by phone at 603-646-4000 and 603-646-3333 during emergencies.

Call 911 immediately for emergencies, like fires, medical events and crimes in progress.

Civil disobedience is the act of nonviolently, deliberately, and publicly disobeying a law, ordinance, or policy, undertaken with the aim of bringing about a change in a law, ordinance, or policy of a government or institution and with the acceptance that, in undertaking that act, one faces the prospect of sanction. Civil disobedience, like any conduct that violates a law, ordinance or Dartmouth policy, is not protected under Dartmouth's policy of freedom of expression and dissent. Those who participate in civil disobedience at Dartmouth should be willing, and expect, to face the associated penalties, or disciplinary consequences for violating the relevant regulation.

In order to be protected under Dartmouth's policy of freedom of expression and dissent, protest or other forms of dissent must be not only peaceful but also lawful, and, like all events and activities, they are subject to Dartmouth's policies on the use of campus grounds (including the Green and Baker Library Lawn) and facilities, rules against prohibited conduct, and time, place, and manner restrictions.

Employees have certain protections under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act to engage in concerted, protected activity for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, such as to address issues or seek improvement in their working conditions.  However, employees can lose the protection of Section 7 under certain circumstances such as when they engage in behavior that is illegal or egregiously offensive. Employees also have protections against discrimination and harassment.  Dartmouth is committed to the principles of free speech.  However, if the speech rises to the level of Prohibited Conduct, that is to the level of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation it compromises Dartmouth's integrity and tradition of intellectual freedom, it will not be allowed to persist. Read Dartmouth’s Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and Resolution Procedures.

As members of the Dartmouth community, students are subject to Dartmouth's policy on Freedom of Expression and Dissent, even when they are also employees.

Yes. The Green is owned by Dartmouth and as with all campus property, Dartmouth can restrict the use of campus spaces for protest with reasonable limits on time, manner and place. We share this space with the community, within the limits of Dartmouth policies governing use of the Green and campus grounds.

Events and activities on the Green must be sponsored by Dartmouth-recognized organizations or Dartmouth departments and have the proper approvals and permits from Dartmouth Conferences and Events and the Town of Hanover.

While the Green is part of Dartmouth's campus, Dartmouth must follow requirements set forth by the local municipality, such as the Town of Hanover Ordinance No. 34 regarding public gatherings and demonstrations, regardless of the ownership of the land.

These requirements are in place to ensure public safety, manage potential disruptions to the community, and uphold laws related to free speech and assembly. Obtaining a permit from the Town of Hanover for your event helps ensure that your demonstration complies with local regulations and facilitates coordination with law enforcement and other relevant authorities to ensure a peaceful and orderly event.

According to Dartmouth policy, overnight use of Dartmouth grounds and nonresidential facilities is prohibited.  Impermissible uses include encampments and other uses that would facilitate the continuous presence of an individual or group of individuals on college grounds or within non-residential facilities.

Restrictions on temporary structures, such as tents, are outlined in Dartmouth’s policy on Use of the Green and Campus Grounds. It states that “temporary structures, including tents, will not be allowed on the Green.”  Further, this same policy explains that “(t)emporary structures elsewhere on campus require written approval from the Conferences and Events office.”

Dartmouth policy on Overnight Use of Campus Grounds and Facilities details restrictions on encampments. This policy states that “overnight use of Dartmouth College grounds and non-residential facilities is prohibited.  Impermissible uses include encampments and other uses that would facilitate the continuous presence of an individual or group of individuals on college grounds or within non-residential facilities. 
These policies can also be found on the homepage of the Freedom of Expression at Dartmouth under “Policies Related to Expressive Activities.”

Should you have questions about these policies and procedures, please contact Ed McKenna, Assistant Dean for Student Life.