When Alumni Speak Out: Dartmouth’s Response Raises Questions on Dialogue and Control

Breakdown in Trust: Black Alumni Group Challenges Dartmouth’s Handling of Sit-In

In June, the Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association (BADA) sent an email to its 4,000 members, directly challenging Dartmouth College’s official account of a student sit-in at Parkhurst Hall on 28 May. In doing so, BADA expressed concern over what it described as a growing erosion of trust within the Dartmouth community, criticising both the administration and trustees for failing to engage meaningfully with stakeholders.

According to the email, the College had requested BADA to circulate a message framing the sit-in as a “student disruption.” However, after reviewing video footage that appeared to show a student being knocked down, contradicting the College’s narrative, BADA opted instead to share student testimonies. Later that same day, on 2 June, Dartmouth suspended the email access of BADA President Maria Cole and the executive committee, citing alleged inaccuracies in their communication.

Maria Cole, who had already intended to address broader campus culture issues, stated that the administration’s reaction to the protest only deepened her concerns. She argued that the College’s actions reflected a lack of transparency and warned that the dissemination of incomplete or misleading information about students should alarm the entire community. BADA, founded in 1972, remains one of Dartmouth’s most prominent identity-based alumni groups, dedicated to mentorship and community-building.

Following the controversy, Dartmouth released internal communications explaining that BADA’s email had contradicted staff accounts of the sit-in. The College maintained that the suspension was consistent with policy while the content and use of the platform were under review. On 3 June, after what was described as a productive conversation with Cole, the College reinstated the group’s email access. Nonetheless, Cole denied acting unilaterally, asserting that the message had full support from BADA’s leadership and requested clarification on which specific policy had been violated.

College spokesperson Jana Barnello later clarified that only the email access of Cole and the executive committee had been suspended, not that of the entire organisation. She emphasised that BADA’s main account remained operational throughout. Cole explained that on the day of the sit-in, she had viewed video footage, including one clip showing a protester being knocked down, which she believed did not align with the College’s version of events. After receiving student statements and a request from alumni affairs to distribute a letter from the deans describing the protest as harmful, she chose to include both the College’s message and the students’ perspectives in her email. She stated that she intended to allow alumni to form their conclusions. Her decision was later supported by a report from The Dartmouth, which cited six professors who claimed the College had mischaracterised the protest.

Cole’s concerns extended beyond the protest itself. She pointed to a broader breakdown in trust, open dialogue, and institutional transparency. Drawing on Dartmouth’s legacy of activism, she highlighted how alumni have historically supported marginalised students. During BADA’s annual meeting with admitted students, safety concerns were raised, and alumni reassured them that Dartmouth, while imperfect, strives to protect its members.

She also referenced the 1–2 May protests, during which 89 individuals were arrested on the Green. Cole viewed the College’s decision to involve riot police as a betrayal of Dartmouth’s core values, which led to widespread alumni disillusionment. Over time, this frustration intensified, prompting both faculty and alumni to petition the College to endorse an April 22 letter from the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), which condemned federal overreach in higher education and was signed by 659 institutions.

Cole reported receiving numerous emails from alumni disappointed by President Sian Beilock’s refusal to sign the AAC&U letter. She found the president’s shifting explanations, from a general policy of not signing letters to only signing those she authors, unconvincing. Additionally, Cole noted that on 25 April, the College briefly removed and later reinstated its main diversity and inclusion (DEI) webpage. A spokesperson explained that the update was intended to clarify Dartmouth’s legal compliance and reaffirm the inclusive nature of its DEI programmes.

Cole raised further concerns about the College’s use of the term “illegal DEI,” suggesting it undermined Dartmouth’s commitment to diversity and could disproportionately harm marginalised groups. At alumni council meetings on 8 and 9 May, several alumni voiced these concerns directly to the trustees. One alumnus reportedly told the board, “We don’t trust you,” and asked how they intended to rebuild that trust. While the trustees responded that better communication was needed, Cole argued that listening should take precedence, as it reveals the depth of concern now shared by many alumni. She added that similar sentiments were reflected in a recent student survey conducted by The Dartmouth.

In her 2 June email, Cole cited the survey, which indicated that two-thirds of student respondents felt unprotected from external prosecution for expressing their views. Although Dartmouth officials dismissed the survey’s 4.7% response rate as statistically weak, Cole contended that even one student feeling unsafe was cause for concern. She also referenced an alumni council letter noting a dramatic increase in feedback, from 13 to over 650 submissions, with only 3–4% supporting the administration and the vast majority expressing frustration and disappointment. Cole concluded that alumni sentiment was far less divided than the College claimed. While officials often cited mixed reactions, she believed the overwhelming majority of responses reflected strong disapproval of the administration’s actions. This episode underscores the urgent need for institutions to prioritise transparency, active listening, and inclusive dialogue in moments of campus unrest.

Editor’s Note:

The events at Dartmouth College, as outlined in this report, reveal a deep and growing tension between institutional authority and the communities it serves. The Black Alumni of Dartmouth Association (BADA)'s response to the May 28 sit-in and the College’s subsequent decision to suspend BADA leaders’ email access highlight serious concerns around trust, transparency, and the right to share differing perspectives. A dispute arose over a protest's portrayal, with the College deeming it disruptive while evidence suggested otherwise. BADA's decision to share diverse viewpoints highlighted concerns about open discussion at Dartmouth. BADA President Maria Cole stated that the incident reflects broader issues: poor communication, avoidance of difficult truths, and a campus where some voices are suppressed. Alumni feedback, petitions, and a student survey on free expression reinforced these concerns.

Skoobuzz believes that this moment calls for more than policy reviews; it requires genuine listening, respect for varied perspectives, and a renewed commitment to community trust. Without these, even the strongest institutions risk alienating the very people who give them purpose.