Dartmouth College's College of Arts and Sciences on Monday called Dartmouth President Xian Lee Beilock over the university's decision to summon police to clear a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. A resolution was passed condemning it as harmful and destructive to society. The educational mission of the university.
The censure motion passed by a vote of 183 to 163, Dartmouth College spokesman Justin Anderson said. The close vote highlighted the divisions on campus over Dr. Beilock's decision on May 1, just hours after an encampment was set up on the university's lawn. At Monday's meeting, Dr. Baylock defended the move, saying he believed the threat of violence was reasonable and credible.
Police were called in and 89 people were arrested, including two teachers. Labor historian Anneliese Orlek was slammed to the ground when she tried to grab her mobile phone from a police officer.
Dr. Orek, who previously served as head of Jewish studies at Dartmouth College, said Monday that he was pleased with the outcome of the vote. “I hope she, and perhaps those who will follow her, and other campus presidents, will hesitate for a moment before resorting to violence against peaceful student protesters.”
Monday's vote is believed to be the first vote of no confidence in a president in Dartmouth College's 255-year history. The move is similar to last week, when Columbia University's College of Arts and Sciences passed a vote of no confidence in its president, Nemat Shafik, by a wide margin over his handling of pro-Palestinian protesters. A vote of no confidence is considered more serious than a vote of no confidence.
Dr. Beilock, who joined Dartmouth last June, is a cognitive scientist who previously served as president of Barnard College.
In a statement, Dartmouth noted that more than 200 faculty members had signed a petition in support of Dr. Beilock, adding that the “vote reflects deeply divided feelings across the country and around the world regarding the Israel-Hamas war.”
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