In a heartfelt address, Dartmouth College President Sian Leah Beilock expressed deep regret for the pain and division caused by her administration's response to last week's protest on campus. Beilock emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue, even in times of disagreement, and acknowledged the difficulty, upset, and pain experienced during the event.

Reflecting on the incident that took place on the Green last Wednesday night, Beilock shared the collective sentiment of wanting to avoid the presence of heavily armed police officers on campus and any arrests within the community. Concerned about the potential for violence and the divisive impact of encampments seen on other college campuses, Beilock made the difficult decision to seek assistance from the Hanover Police Department to dismantle the encampment.

While Beilock stands by her decision, she acknowledged that it made some individuals feel unsafe and accepted responsibility for the harm caused. Expressing her sincere apology, Beilock understood that actions have consequences and expressed her commitment to rectifying any errors in the process. She specifically mentioned that student journalists from The Dartmouth who were arrested while covering the protests should not have faced such repercussions, and efforts are underway to correct this mistake. Beilock also assured the campus community that individuals inadvertently caught in the chaos, but not in violation of any school policies, would not face any consequences.

Addressing concerns about the future of affected students, Beilock expressed her administration's support for those who had planned to participate in end-of-year events like Powwow, Lu'au, and Commencement. While unable to unilaterally lift restrictions imposed by local authorities, the college leadership is actively working towards a resolution that will allow these students to be a part of the important events.

Despite the enduring emotions sparked by the events of last week, especially considering the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Beilock expressed hope for healing and emphasized the importance of supporting one another, fostering dialogue even in disagreement, and moving forward collaboratively.

It is important to note that the opinions expressed in guest columns do not necessarily represent the views of The Dartmouth.