Dartblog

Just being on campus and talking with students gives the clear impression that campus is overwhelmingly in support of parity at Dartmouth. Indeed students and alumni alike recognize that the Board-packing Plan is a direct attempt to undermine the democratic vote of all Dartmouth alumni. The class of 2008 does not want to be the first to lose the right to elect 50% of the Board of Trustees, and as a member of the class of 2009 I can say that I don’t want to be part of the second class to lose that right either (along with all other classes of past and future graduates).

It was much to my delight, then, if not surprise that I received a letter entitled “Yes: We Want to Preserve Democracy at Dartmouth,” excerpted below and in full PDF format below that, which directed all of those who wished to affix their name to the letter’s message of democracy to send a blitz to Diane Ellis ‘08.

We are current Dartmouth students from diverse corners of campus. Some of us are record-holding athletes; others presidents of Greek houses; still others of us are academic leaders. We have written and circulated this short letter in the hope of expressing our view that debate, dissent, and discussion at Dartmouth is good, and that the recent attempt, called “the Board-packing plan,” to reduce the importance of democracy at Dartmouth is wrong….

We therefore respectfully ask that, since we cannot yet vote, you consider our plea: please do not allow the Class of 2008 to be the first in 117 years deprived of the power to elect half of Dartmouth’s trustees. Please oppose the Board-packing plan. With open and civil debate inspired by open and elections, the Dartmouth Community can come together to work toward an even better College.

Click here for Democracy