Because Dartmouth wants to ensure that students develop to their fullest potential, student life is supported in many ways. Accessible all year round, these resources are always available to students.
From getting flu shots to treating poison ivy and fevers, Dick's House, the on-campus health center, is there to provide inclusive, quality health care - even if that means connecting students to local hospitals for escalated situations, like receiving x-rays. On the second floor of Dick's House, the Counseling and Human Development Center connects students with counselors and other appropriate professionals to assist students with psychological challenges.
Through the Office of Residential Life, Dartmouth assures that residential communities remain inclusive and that students commit to social responsibility. A place to practice leadership, students learn how to best approach their concerns and develop skills to prosper in unfamiliar systems and environments. Becoming a better person for the world through educating students on empowerment, responsibility, and information, students walk away with a better understanding of their personal identity. While students are assigned to one of six house systems, they are always welcome to participate in most of the other houses' events. The open campus fosters an ardent balance between house competitions and overall school spirit - because, in the end, all students here are Dartmouth students.
At Dartmouth, students also have a community beyond their house system. The Tucker Center, where religious faith is celebrated, welcomes everyone in hopes of helping students celebrate whatever their spirituality or beliefs may be. As a diverse community, Dartmouth understands the importance of religion and promotes a culture that does not discriminate, and instead, encourages compassion.
In addition to the advice students receive from their peers, all students have a faculty advisor with whom they meet with to plan their academic path. Faculty advisors are specific to student interests. For example, students who indicate that they are interested in economics will have a faculty advisor who teaches in the economics department. Deciding on a potential major, which courses to take each term, and how students can spend their off-terms are all areas faculty advisors venture to assist students to make the wisest choice. With faculty and student one-on-one appointments, finding and applying for internships, research positions, and study abroad programs becomes a much simpler process.
I was afraid to email professors about research positions because I'm a first-year student. My faculty advisor assured me that I shouldn't worry about it because the professors are pretty chill. By the end of our conversation, he offered me a position as a research assistant in his computational social affective neuroscience lab. —Maryam "Mia" Iqbal '21
With the Office of Pluralism and Leadership (OPAL), students receive consultation over experiences related to self-advocacy, finding one's community, and managing personal strengths to thrive in any environment. Located on the second floor of Collis, OPAL is available to provide counsel for underrepresented students.
When students do not know which students resource to use, they can contact their undergraduate dean. While undergraduate deans have a particular specialty with discussing academics, such as students' midterms, interests, and goals, they also guide students to appropriate resources. And throughout the term, undergraduate deans frequently send out weekly emails to keep students up to date with internship opportunities, helpful study resources, and hours that they can meet with students to answer questions and offer advice.
Dartmouth is an academic institution, but a residential one. The health and well-being of students is imperative to their success in the classroom and beyond. Between academic support services and student life resources, Dartmouth makes sure that their students are happy and healthy. On campus, starting to feel better begins with an appointment.
