More than 650 college leaders recently signed a letter opposing the Trump administration’s interference in higher education. Why didn’t you sign it?

I’ve been actively working in D.C. to defend higher education and protect Dartmouth’s independence. Likewise, my senior team and I are in regular contact with counterparts across the Ivy League and beyond working on joint advocacy and legal efforts. I chose not to sign the AAC&U [American Association of Colleges and Universities] letter because I wanted to speak clearly, in my own voice, against government overreach and why the threat to Harvard’s tax-exempt status is illegal and dangerous. I also wanted to point out that we, as higher education institutions, should always reflect on how we can do better for our country and the world. I respect those who may have preferred a different approach. What matters most is that we stay true to Dartmouth’s mission and values regardless of who’s in power. We are a fiercely independent institution, and I’ll continue fighting for that independence every day.

Are federal government policies impacting international students at Dartmouth?

In a word, yes. There is real fear due to recent federal actions, including SEVIS [Student and Exchange Visitor Information System] record terminations, which, thankfully, have been reversed but had the potential to immediately strip international community members of the ability to remain at Dartmouth. While a travel ban has not yet been announced, we believe one may come. The College’s Office of Visa and Immigration Services has hosted immigration information Q&As and a “Know Your Rights” session with immigration attorneys and the ACLU of New Hampshire. Above all, we are doing everything we can to protect our students and ensure they feel seen and supported.

How are attacks on universities and funding affecting Dartmouth?

We’re fortunate to be in a stronger position than many of our peers, but we’ve still seen real impact. A handful of grant cancellations have affected disciplines across Dartmouth—from the humanities to the medical school to engineering. To help, we’re offering bridge funding as a short-term stopgap to support faculty while we wait for clarity on federal support. At the same time we’ve joined four lawsuits challenging federal research funding cuts, and so far we’ve been successful in stopping the worst of it. Members of my senior leadership team are doing extensive budget scenario planning to ensure we remain in a position of strength, focused on sustaining the essential functions that uphold Dartmouth’s academic mission and excellence.