Update on the Search for the Next Arts and Sciences Dean

To the Dartmouth Community,

It is with great regret that we inform you that Bruce Duthu has decided to decline the opportunity to serve as Dartmouth's next Dean of the Faculty for Arts & Sciences. He informed us of his decision yesterday.

Bruce is a man of enormous integrity and moral character whose commitment to Dartmouth's academic mission and community is unwavering. We had looked forward to his leadership as dean and his partnership on the senior academic team.

However, as some of you may know, Bruce's appointment has been met with significant opposition, particularly from external audiences, due to his membership on the Council of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association that drafted a 2013 call to boycott Israeli academic institutions.

Dartmouth issued a public statement in 2013 opposing boycotts of academic institutions as contrary to academic values. In principle, we condemn bias against any group or individual and have complete confidence that Bruce does, as well. In fact, his life's work has been dedicated to supporting social justice and fighting bias in all its forms. In Bruce's message to his faculty colleagues earlier today, he noted, whether warranted or not, this matter has become a significant distraction, both for him, personally, and for the College. Under the circumstances, he simply did not believe he could effectively serve as the next Arts & Sciences Dean.

We understand that the news of Bruce's decision will be disappointing to members of our community who were excited about the prospect of his leadership in academic excellence, interdisciplinary study, and diversity and inclusion. Let us assure you that we remain committed to advancing these critical values and priorities for Dartmouth.

We will consult with the appropriate Arts and Sciences committee as we develop our plan for how best to move forward. In the meantime, we are gratified that Bruce will continue this important work on the faculty as an eminent scholar of Native American studies.

Phil Hanlon
President

Carolyn Dever
Provost