It's been well noted that incoming freshmen will experience an unconventional welcome fall term. The rest of us non-'24s will experience an unconventional welcome back as well, but, while '21s, '22s and '23s have had the luxury of stumbling upon many of Dartmouth's resources on campus serendipitously (or being handed them during orientation), '24s likely won't have that same opportunity.
With efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 prompting drastic changes in almost every area of life, including where and how people learn and work, students have suddenly found themselves far from their classmates and the familiar campus rhythm. Faculty, staff, and employees are hurriedly transitioning to working from home, many for the first time. As spring term approaches, Dartmouth wellness experts are offering tools for weathering, and even making the best of, the challenging new circumstances.
The new sexual and gender-based misconduct policy adopted by the College in September 2019 includes a set of informal procedures available to students, faculty and staff which provide more choices for resolutions and resources to survivors of sexual misconduct. According to Title IX coordinator Kristi Clemens, the informal procedures in the new policy can be used as alternatives to pursuing a formal investigation by survivors of sexual misconduct who may not want to, or feel comfortable pursuing, formal action.
Duck Syndrome refers to that image of a duck we see effortlessly gliding across the water. However, what we can't see is that, under the water, that same duck is ferociously paddling to maintain its graceful appearance.
In its first year, the Campus Climate and Culture Initiative (C3I) has been laying the groundwork to meet Dartmouth's goal of developing a comprehensive set of actions aimed at creating a learning environment free from sexual harassment and the abuse of power.