Enrollment Expansion Decision

To the College community,

After thoughtful consideration of a report from the Task Force on Enrollment Expansion, the board has approved a recommendation from President Phil Hanlon '77 that the undergraduate student body should remain at its current level.

In reaching this conclusion, the board was guided by a commitment to Dartmouth's distinctive model of close student‐faculty engagement in an intimate, collaborative community that honors our profound sense of place.

The board is constantly evaluating strategic opportunities that will enhance Dartmouth's academic programs and financial stability, including considerations of quality, breadth, and scale. The current focus of the trustees and the administration is to enhance the quality of the Dartmouth experience. This is especially important now, as we prepare for a comprehensive fundraising campaign focused on Dartmouth's academic distinction and the unique educational experience we offer.

We are grateful to President Hanlon, task force chairs Dean of the Faculty Elizabeth Smith and Dean of the College Rebecca Biron, and task force members Dave Hodgson '78, a Dartmouth trustee; James Feyrer, an associate professor of economics; Mark McPeek, a professor of biological sciences; Reiko Ohnuma, a professor of religion; Scott Pauls, a professor of mathematics; and Andrea Tarnowski, an associate professor of French and comparative literature, for their thorough and rigorous examination of how the Dartmouth experience—including the academic program, student support services, and the physical plant—would be affected by an increase in the number of undergraduates.

And we thank the many members of the Dartmouth community who shared their thoughts about potential growth. These discussions affirmed our shared commitment to our mission to educate the most promising students and prepare them for a lifetime of learning and responsible leadership.

Sincerely,
Trustee Chair Laurel Richie '81