Re: Beilock says “reflection does not mean capitulation”
I was disappointed to see College President Sian Beilock decline to sign the recent open letter from Harvard faculty defending academic freedom. Her explanation that such letters are ineffective misses the real purpose of leadership in moments like these.
President Beilock could have responded with bold possibilities. Imagine if she had urged all the letter’s signers to commit one percent of their endowments to a legal defense fund dedicated to protecting academic freedom across institutions. Such a fund could work like NATO: an attack on one is an attack on all. That kind of collective action demonstrates leadership and could offer meaningful protection.
I urge President Beilock to meet this moment with courage and creativity. I don’t want to lie awake at night worrying about democracy AND Dartmouth.
Jane Alexander ’81
Jane Alexander is a member of the Class of 1981. Letters to the Editor represent the views of their author(s), which are not necessarily those of The Dartmouth.
