Time to Reflect
Many students, alumni and College observers were alarmed that interim President Carol Folt cancelled classes on April 24 in response to 15 students disrupting a Dimensions weekend event April 19. The cancellation was "prompted by a series of threatening and abusive online posts used to target particular students in the wake of the protest," Folt and seven other administrators wrote in a campus-wide e-mail at 6:30 p.m. on the 23rd. Instead of classes, the day featured faculty meetings, a variety of teachins, guest speakers and an all-campus lunch. A peek at Dartmouth history reveals that the move wasn't unprecedented:
MAY 5-8, 1970 President John Kemeny suspends classes to allow for discussion and reflection following the Kent State shootings.
MARCH 8,1979 President Kemeny orders a moratorium on classes for a day of speeches and discussion after the Afro-American Society and Native Americans at Dartmouth protested racism by painting a snow sculpture red and black.
JANUARY 24,1986 President David McLaughlin '54 and the executive committee of faculty suspend classes for a series of discussions of racism, violence and disrespect for diversity after students demolished shanties built on the Green by students seeking College divestment in South African companies due to apartheid.
School's OutStudents gathered atDartmouth Hall duringa day of "reflection andunderstanding."
28 Number of trustee emeriti who met informally with President-elect Phil Hanlon '77 in Hanover during a mid-May weekend
"Few could compete with him as a raconteur, and he could outlast those who tried." -FROM THE OBITUARY OF GEORGE JOHANN OSTLER, A FORMER SKI COACH AT THE COLLEGE. OSTLER DIED IN APRIL AT 87.
