Dartmouth earns FIRE’s top rating for free speech

HANOVER, N.H., Sept. 16, 2024 — Today, after aligning its written policies with First Amendment principles, Dartmouth officially reclaimed the overall “green light” speech code rating from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. 

Dartmouth is the only green light school in the Ivy League, one of four in New Hampshire, and one of 68 nationwide. FIRE awards green light ratings to institutions with no written policies that seriously imperil student free speech rights. 

“Say something controversial at most elite colleges and you’re liable to get shouted down, canceled, reported, and disciplined,” said FIRE Director of Policy Reform Laura Beltz. “But Dartmouth has shown it aims to foster a better environment for free speech through adopting these policies and encouraging dialogue across difference.”

Dartmouth first earned a green light rating in 2005, but in 2013, the school set up a “bias incident reporting” protocol that FIRE deemed threatened student speech. Under this protocol, students could be reported by their peers — and investigated and disciplined by administrators — for offenses as minor as “joke telling” and “stereotyping.” At the time, FIRE told Dartmouth that the protocol was inconsistent with the school’s stated commitment to free expression, but administrators chose to keep it in place. As a result, in 2015, FIRE was forced to downgrade the school to a “yellow light” rating. 

Dartmouth President Sian Beilock took office in 2023. FIRE appreciated Beilock’s commitment to fostering “brave spaces” and improving the state of discourse on campus, and we offered to connect with her new administration. 

“As a community committed to learning and growth, Dartmouth thrives on the exchange of diverse viewpoints,” said President Beilock. “It is through the respectful sharing of different perspectives that we challenge our ideas, broaden our understanding, and advance our academic mission. Engaging with voices that differ from our own is not just important—it is essential to creating the kind of dynamic, inclusive environment where true learning takes place.”

The rest of the Ivy League — and colleges across the country — could rise in the rankings if they follow Dartmouth’s lead and revise their policies.

Dartmouth fixed two flawed policies governing harassment and revised the bias reporting protocol that cost the school its green light nearly a decade ago. These changes still maintain compliance with all applicable legal standards. Bias incidents can still be reported under the new protocol, and students may receive support and community resources. However, the new policy clarifies that speech that is protected under free speech principles will not be subject to investigation or punishment. Actions in violation of Dartmouth’s Nondiscrimination and Anti- Harassment Policy will continue to be investigated under that policy.

Beyond revising Dartmouth’s policies, Beilock is passionate about cultivating a culture of free speech, expression, and dissent. As she said in her inaugural address, “I want our campus to be a place where every member of our community not only feels comfortable expressing unpopular views, but in questioning others who hold views they disagree with.”

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH

School Ranking

224 of 251

Due Process

Sexual misconduct: B

Non-sexual misconduct: D

Title IX: B

Speech Code

Green

Free Speech Climate

Overall score: 34

More Info

In January 2024, Dartmouth launched Dartmouth Dialogues, an initiative which offers programming dedicated to facilitating conversations that bridge political and personal divides. A cornerstone of Dartmouth Dialogues is the Dialogue Project, which trains students, faculty, and staff to cultivate the respectful and open exchange of ideas.

And just last week, Dartmouth announced the expansion of the Open Expression Facilitators program. Open Expression Facilitators are trained faculty and staff who serve as neutral observers at controversial campus events and ensure that deplatforming and disruption do not occur. Until now, Open Expression Facilitators focused on undergraduate events, but now their mission extends to the entire campus community.

Dartmouth ranks 224 in this year’s College Free Speech Rankings, but if it had a green light when the rankings were conducted, it would rank 107. The rest of the Ivy League — and colleges across the country — could rise in the rankings if they follow Dartmouth’s lead and revise their policies.

Schools interested in earning a green light rating can contact FIRE’s campus Policy Reform team today at speechcodes@thefire.org.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.

Dartmouth educates the most promising students and prepares them for a lifetime of learning and responsible leadership through a faculty dedicated to teaching and the creation of knowledge. Responding with research and innovation to the most pressing challenges of our time, Dartmouth supports the vigorous and open debate of ideas within a community marked by mutual respect. In a setting of natural beauty that fosters a close-knit community, deep academic engagement, and lifelong bonds, and serves as a launch pad for worldwide study, Dartmouth encourages a culture of integrity, self-reliance, and collegiality and instills a sense of responsibility for each other and for the broader world.

Jack Whitten, Media Relations Specialist, FIRE: 215-717-3473; media@thefire.org

Jana Barnello, Director of Media Relations and Communications Strategy, Dartmouth College: 603-646-3668; jana.barnello@dartmouth.edu