The College

AT their October meeting, the Trustees of the College directly confronted the use of the Indian symbol, an issue placed on the agenda, in the words of Board President F. William Andres '29, "because of our concern over the apparent revival of the controversy."

Following the meeting, they issued a formal statement expressing their position "in the hope," he said, "that its announcement would correct current misunderstandings and contribute to an appreciation of the underlying interests and values, the recognition of which should lead away from partisanship toward an awareness and an acceptance of the human sen- sitivities and educational goals that are at the heart of the issue."

The text of the statement is as follows:

The Board of Trustees reaffirms the commitment of the College, as expressed by President Kemeny at his 1970 inauguration, to equal opportunity in education for minority peoples, including a continuing dedication to the education of American Indians. The Board further recognizes the obligation and necessity, if such a program is to succeed, to foster a supportive community environment of which such minority students can feel a part.

The Board notes that the Alumni Council in 1972, through its ad hoc Indian Symbol Study Committee, recognized the significant adverse effects of use of the Indian symbol upon the Native American Program and its students. The Committee supported the then evident trend of the Dartmouth community toward voluntary discontinuance of the use of the symbol and encouraged continued reduction in usage as serving the educational purpose of the College in creating a supportive environment for the Native American Program.

The Board concurs in the Alumni Council's acceptance of the Committee's report, including the recommendation that no official action be taken to either affirm or eliminate the symbol, the personal use of which cannot be legislated and must remain a matter of individual conscience.

The Board considers use of the symbol in any form to be inconsistent with the present institutional and academic objectives of the College in advancing Native American education. The Board therefore urges all members of the Dartmouth family to join in a spirit of understanding and support for the Native American members of the College community and their educational program.