The Right Rev. James Tengatenga's dismissal has caused some students to question the Tucker Foundation's structure and its dean's role. Students and staff criticized the search committee and selection process, expressing frustration with the College's lack of transparency.
Despite Tengatenga's July 18 statement announcing his support for LGBT rights, many students said they support Hanlon's decision because they would not have wanted a Tucker leader who might have discriminated against community members.
"Tucker is such a safe space on campus, and I wouldn't want that to change," said Tanya Budler '15, who leads Tucker program Language in Motion.
Other students suggested that the College's expectations for the position, which supports religious and service organizations, are too high.
Molly Crowe '15 said there might be a conflict of interest in an institution responsible for both sides.
"If he'd been head of religious life that would have been fine, but when you're in charge of an aspect of campus that doesn't necessarily have to do with religion, you shouldn't voice an opinion that alienates students," Crowe said.
Catherine Bryt '15 said a diverse organization inherently represents various opinions, and it is impossible for one person to embody the beliefs of everyone on campus.
After Tengatenga stated his support of same-sex marriage on Dartmouth Now, many still feel that Tengatenga's prior statements reflect his personal views.
"We don't know how many people had trouble separating comments expressing institutional views from private individual views," said German and comparative literature professor Irene Kacandes, who led the Tucker search committee that selected Tengatenga.
Some students said Tengatenga's ability to separate official responsibility from personal opinion portrays his professional capability.
"He seems like the type of person whose personal beliefs would not affect his work here," Bryt said. "Doing a good job doesn't necessarily mean agreeing with someone."
Kacandes and Bryt expressed concern over the decision's implications.
"Maybe Dartmouth isn't open-minded enough to be ready for him," Bryt said. "The climate on this campus right now is very much in favor of one view and dismissive of another angle."
Student directors at Tucker and members of the search committee who spoke with Tengatenga said they were impressed by his manner and his past work.
Calling the decision "bizarre," Kacandes said reversing a provost and president-approved decision after a seven-month search might deter faculty from volunteering to sit on future search committees.
"The way that the accusations unfolded is something that we should be very alarmed about," Kacandes said. "This man was tried in a court of partial public opinion, and it was not clear that people who wanted to weigh in could do so."
Kacandes said she felt the strong reaction was perpetrated by a small group of students, blog posts and in emails between some faculty members.
Current Tucker dean Richard Crocker said he received many emails from diverse parts of campus.
"It was a huge step," current Tucker dean Richard Crocker said. "It must have been deliberated quite carefully because [Hanlon] had to gauge the responses from students, faculty and the general public."
Crocker, who declined to comment on the search committee's or Hanlon's decisions, said there were problems with the vetting process. He said it was a mistake that students were not a part of the search committee, that the committee did not vet Tengatenga's past statements and that his campus visits were poorly publicized.
