College Items

Current Status of Association Suit against the College - November 2007

A record vote by over 30% of our 66,000 Alumni rejected the proposal due to (among other things):

• The lack of an Association budget or Treasurer for independence from the College
• The Secretary not needing to be an Association member, but appointed by the College President
• The need for improved communications and advance notice to members of groundrules
• A question as to need for designated Association representatives of "Affiliated Groups"
• Perceived unfairness in the ability under the proposal for members to petition for Trustee nominees.

Heading up the effort to protect the rights of 66,000 Alumni in their Association's participation in Trustee elections and impact on the operation, policies and administration of The College is an organiztion known as the Hanover Institute of Windsor, Vermont. This non-profit's President, John MacGovern, class of 1980, has drawn support throughout the alumni body evidenced by 400 proxies collected "from (members) all over the country" to be voted at the last meeting of the Association This meeting included the election of Officers and Executive Committee members but the proxy votes were not allowed to be counted along with ballots by those who were able to be present.

The Institute position has been that the Association Constitution does not ban proxy voting and that the Executive Committee illegally had issued a "guideline" requiring attendance at the meeting in order to vote. This is being formally protested to prevent a continuing series of ongoing "current management of the Association". As T.J.Rogers has said, "It causes the succession of like-minded individuals so that those with new ideas can't get elected".

Action took place the first week of December 2006 wherein a Petition for Injunction and Declaratory Relief was filed in a New Hampshire state couirt seeking to have all the 400 votes counted and the "illegal" election of the current Executive Committee set aside. Legal opinion of the validity of such a request for Injunction had been sought and obtained before this petition was filed. This effort was not successful but set up a basis for further defense of Alumni rights in the foremost function of nominating half of the Trustee Board candidates.

John MacGovern had founded the Hanover Institute in 2002 to protect the interests of all alumni in the belief that a close relationship of the Alumni body with the administration of the College was helpful and important in making Dartmouth a truly great lliberal arts college. John has sent out an appeal to Alumni for contributions of $100 "or more" to fund this effort which he feels "may have as far-reaching effect on the College's future as the verdict Daniel Webster secured in the Dartmouth College case"

****** Your Webmaster has discovered a revered INDIAN symbol already recognized by the College.
It is contained in a memorial for an Alumnus Hero of World War I prominently displayed in Baker Library.
Howard Burchard Lines, class of 1912, displayed this Indian proudly and symbolically as he aided the French Army and died in the line of duty as an AFS driver on the front lines in 1916. We, of course, would search for his descendants, if any, and request permission for any use of this venerable artifact.
These photos show the display mounted in Baker Library already acknowledging the importance of this symbol:

Display case in Baker Library honoring Howard Burchard Lines '12

Cross on original grave in France

Indian from Howard's ambulance........................Story of the Emblem exhibited ....... (Photos by Pete Foster)

Pete was going to propose endorsement by our Class, at it's Annual meeting during Reunion, a recommendation to the College for adoption of this symbol as its official mascot and example of its HISTORY, ORIGIN, RESOURSEFULNESS, COMPETITIVENESS AND ENDURANCE. Class members requested that we consult with representatives of the Native American Program group to elicit recommendations and reactions to the idea. This process was pursued by your webmaster which resulted in President Sam inviting Michael Hanitchak, Director of the NAP to speak at the meeting in June.
Michael's talk unexpectedly centered on the subject of the importance of the origination of the College having to do with eduction of native indians and his interest in pursuing ways in which people could be continually reminded of the "Co-founders" Rev. Eleazar Wheelock and Rev. Samson Occum. He invited those interested to enter into discussions with him to explore such objectives. Several of us at the meeting were interested.
There are a number of reasons for such a return to this tradition on the campus. They have to do with:

• the early History of the College under Eleazar Wheelock,
• the Spirit which it generated among undergrads and Alumni,
• added attraction to the College by increased numbers of Native American applicants,
• stimulation of financial support by Alumni who "remember when",
• honoring one of the prime original founders, Samson Occum, and
• recognition by outsiders of the character represented in the noble, strong and able Natives who aided the first settlers in establishing a foothold on which to build this great Nation.

Meeting with N.A.P. Director Michael Hanitchak Bud Munson and Pete Foster got together with Michael October 3 before Mini Reunion events started to review the impression he left with us in June regarding his objectives on Campus and possible common interests with the Alumni. Conversation centered on the historic founding of Dartmouth in 1769 and the pivotal role played by Rev. Samson Occum. This event, it was felt, deserved to be recognized and featured in First Year orientation providing new students a feeling for the background of the College. We were encouraged to pursue the idea of projecting the image of Dartmouth's origin for Indian education and the ongoing endeavor of teaching Indian students to become leaders back in their own communities.
There are roughly 150 native american undergraduates with an objective, in Michael's mind, of 200 as a "critical mass" for the maintenance of ongoing programs. He acts as cultural broker for students who may be out of their depth in the new environment and approaches Professors and Administrators on their behalf. Other groups having shown interest are classes of '43 and '46, the Mohegans in Connecticut and Native Alums.

The Indian Symbol - Bud related stories involving previous efforts to restore the symbol of the Indian to its rightful place on the campus including those by classmate Wid Washburn, now deceased, (see Miscellany) who was Director of American Studies at the Smithsonian National Museum and a dedicated defender of the Indian Symbol at Dartmouth. Michael is somewhat fearful of people looking at the Indian as a "Mascot" rather than the more dignified Symbol of the spirit, foundation, strength, endurance and pride which would be hoped for.
 Michael provided us with a copy of the NAP Mission Statement and recommended two books for our perusal. He also asked that we continue to explore ways to increase recognition of the important relationship and expressed hope that tangible progress could be made during the current college year (2003-2004).

Recently, SAMSON OCCOM was given recognition in the naming of a new Courtyard in the North Campus where several new dormitories have been built in an effort to increase the percentage of undergraduates living on the Campus.

updated May 18, 2009