Director's Statement

Hello OPAL Community,
      It's taken me a full week to gather my thoughts around the peaceful protest and subsequent arrests of members of our community. As a staff member, who is not protected by faculty tenure and as a Black woman in a position of power, it is not lost on me how my words, said or written, can be used to determine my professional destiny. And so, I say these words today with full ownership of their message and weight—I am hurting. I was there with many of you on the Green, until the early hours of the morning, watching, listening, and trying to hold space for your peers who were trying to learn and understand my position and role there. As I said that night and what I always say, I stand on the mission of OPAL. My role and responsibility to you is to foster a Dartmouth where all students can thrive, value difference, and contribute to the creation of a socially just world. I stand on the mission to ensure that you have the working knowledge, resources, and plans of action to advocate for justice and peace safely, purposefully, and rightfully. Had it not been for college students leading sit-ins guided by the pillars of civil disobedience and nonviolent direct action to protest segregation in the 1960's I would not even be here writing this message of shared pain, love, admiration, and support to you all. And so, please know, that OPAL is here to support you, cry with you, laugh with you, and hold space with you in whatever capacity feels good and right to you. 

Please join us over the next three weeks for our "Together in Community Series" where we invite all students to stop in for a moment of connection, care, and support—and food. 
Friday, May 10th from 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Thursday, May 16th from 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Friday, May 24th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm 
All located in Collis 303. 

Humbly yours, 
Dr. Rae