FROM FIGHTING TO BRING TELETHERAPY TO CAMPUS, TO BETTER DINING, HOUSING, AND TRANSPORTATION, WE ARE YOUR STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES.
Our Mission
We, the undergraduates of Dartmouth College, as an essential component of the College, do hereby reaffirm the establishment of the Dartmouth Student Government to play an active role in shaping College policies and priorities. To this end, we will lend a voice to student concerns and opinions; play an active role in shaping College policy; protect student rights and freedoms; promote and finance undergraduate activities; foster school unity and pride; and serve as a forum for the discussion and advancement of ideas.
To learn more, read our New Constitution.
What We have Achieved
President CHIRIBOGA and VP Ortiz, 2023 - 2024:
Spring Projects
Coming soon! Lots of work on meal plan reform, outdoor wellness, sleep support for students, freedom of expression and dissent, responding to May 1 arrests, and more.
Winter Projects:
Liaised Between the Administration and Students Undergoing the Hunger
Strike. Student Body President Jessica Chiriboga ’24, Student Body Vice President Kiara Ortiz ’24, Chief of Staff Anthony Fosu ’24, West House Senator Nicolás Macri ’24, and School House Senator Roger Friedlander ’27 acted as DSG’s neutral liaisons between the administration and the students engaged in the hunger strike. The culminating result of these conversations was a statement released by Dean of the College Scott Brown acknowledging the demands of the students.
Successfully Advocated for the Expansion of Alumni Gym Hours. South House Senator Ian McKenna ’27 worked with Dartmouth Athletics to initially extend the gym hours from 6:00 AM to 5:00 AM on weekdays and 9:00 AM to 8:00 AM on weekends. We will continue advocating to expand hours further and install lighting on the outdoor basketball and pickleball courts for the upcoming academic year.
Served on Dean’s Undergraduate Food Insecurity Working Group. Chief of Staff Anthony Fosu ’24 and Mental Health Committee Co-Chair JJ Dega ’26 served on Dean Brown’s Undergraduate Food Insecurity Working Group. They raised concerns from students and shared data from our Student Issue Survey. The Working Group’s curated report will result in recommendations to update Dartmouth Dining’s policies, such as meal equivalencies and extended meal plan offerings.
DSG Statement Clarifying Standardized Testing Requirement Decision-Making Process. DSG released a statement detailing the Senate’s dissatisfaction with the lack of student input in the decision-making process before Dartmouth internally decided to reinstate the standardized testing requirement and before Dartmouth announced its decision to the public. DSG has engaged with student organizations, student leaders, faculty, and staff following the decision.
DSG Statement on Latest Developments in Student Arrests. DSG released a statement reiterating the Senate’s position that the students arrested in the Fall term should not have been arrested given the alternatives available at that time. We are encouraged that Dartmouth staff and students are engaging in productive dialogue.
Advocating for New Admissions Resources for Prospective Students. School House Senator Alejandra Carrasco ’25 met with Dartmouth Admissions officers to recommend changes to admissions practices, such as implementing fee waivers for standardized exams, creating a guide that includes free or low-cost test preparation resources, creating a Dartmouth ambassador program to high schools, and more. We will be meeting with community members and students to further develop and advocate for these proposed resources.
Funded an expansion of the Polar Project. Our Mental Health Committee funded fifty 24-packs of Spindrift Sparkling Water to supplement the Polar Project’s weekly distribution of Polar Seltzers and Liquid Death to Greek spaces. We hope to further our shared goals of reducing high-risk drinking, providing non-alcoholic beverage alternatives, and expanding drink options for events in Greek spaces that are open to all students.
Promoting Civic Engagement. As part of the Dartmouth Votes coalition, DSG partnered with Dartmouth Civics and the Dartmouth Chapter of the NAACP to fund election shuttles for the presidential primary as well as table in the Collis Center to provide nonpartisan voter information to all students. The coalition also partnered with the Town of Hanover to host a voter registration drive in Collis Common Ground in early January. Worked with Dartmouth Dining Advisory Group. During our bi-weekly meetings with Dartmouth Dining leadership, we addressed price inflation, food variety, the financial structure of Dartmouth Dining, changes to meal plans and equivalencies, swipes at snack bars, swipes on the GET application, and more. We also worked with Dartmouth Dining to collect a series of questions from the student body on the dining issues that students were encountering.
Provided Free Shuttle to the Amtrak Train Station. We provided a shuttle to the Amtrak train station in White River Junction, Vermont to make alternative transportation methods accessible to students.
Expanded the Sun Lamp Rental Program. Five sunlamps are now available to be checked out for a week from the Collis Center’s Info Desk. We also funded 15 more sunlamps to be distributed at the other rental locations, including the Baker-Berry library circulation desk and the Student Wellness Center (Berry 178-179). View other wellness resources here.
Endorsed the Town of Hanover’s Planning Board Amendments. Town Affairs Liaison Nicolás Macri ’24 and Deputy Town Affairs Liaison Daniel Cai ’26 invited Hanover Selectboard Member Jennie Chamberlain and Hanover Planning, Zoning & Codes Director and Zoning Administrator Robert Houseman to present to DSG and members of the student body to explain the amendments. You can learn more about these amendments here.
Hosted Termly Town Hall. We hosted our termly town hall to share updates and collect suggestions and concerns from students.
Funded a new Bike Registration System. We provided Dartmouth Bikes with $2,500 in funding to create a new system that assists with tracking stolen, lost, and abandoned bicycles and improves the existing Dartmouth College Bicycle Registration System run by the Department of Safety and Security (DoSS). The new system will begin rolling out in the Spring term.
Hosted Focus Groups. Mental Health Committee Co-Chair Chukwuka Odigbo ’25 led an initiative to host focus groups for various student groups on campus to better understand student needs and concerns.
SBP Jessica Chiriboga ’24 on Alumni Mental Health Panel. SBP Jessica Chiriboga ’24 presented student initiatives and concerns regarding mental health/wellness on campus on an alumni panel hosted by the Class of 1973.
Collaborated with the Student Wellness Center (SWC) to host a hygge- inspired event. During the Mental Health Committee’s bi-weekly meetings with SWC leaders, Senators planned a “Get Cozy With DSG and SWC” event which engaged more than 250 students. We provided Dartmouth green fuzzy socks, lip balm, gloves, mental health and wellness resources, food and drink, and more!
Continued to Promote Freedom of Expression and Dissent. Throughout the Winter term, SBP Jessica Chiriboga ’24, SBVP Kiara Ortiz ’24, and Chief of Staff Anthony Fosu ’24 met with Dartmouth staff and senior leaders to inform the review of Dartmouth policies and practices surrounding freedom of expression and dissent. SBP Jessica Chiriboga ’24 also met with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. More to come this Spring term!
Implementing an official program through the Office of Financial Aid to provide Dartmouth Coach vouchers to students with less than $3,000 EFC.
Continued research on outdoor wellness opportunities at Dartmouth.
Fall Projects:
Dartmouth Dining Advisory Group: During our bi-weekly meetings with Dartmouth Dining leadership, we successfully advocated for the removal of the 15-minute Green2Go policy, while also addressing price inflation, food variety, the financial structure of Dartmouth Dining, changes to meal plans and equivalencies, swipes at snack bars, and more.
JED Strategic Plan and Time Away for Medical Reasons Policy: Dartmouth released Commitment to Care, its five-year strategic plan for student mental health in October 2023. Several DSG members served on the six JED Working Groups, the JED Undergraduate Committee, and the Provost’s JED Steering Committee. DSG helped refine the new Time Away for Medical Reasons Policy that will take effect in January 2024.
Free Laundry: Dartmouth has contracted with a new laundry service, Automatic Laundry, following DSG advocacy. The service is free for all students living in undergraduate, Dartmouth-owned residential facilities.
Wi-Fi on the Green: Wi-Fi on the Green is available as of October 6, 2023. Check your email for the coverage map!
Overnight Infirmary Fees Eliminated: Dartmouth eliminated all fees related to overnight stays for intoxication and other health-related issues.
Advocated for Freedom of Expression and Dissent: Following our statements on the student arrests, we continue to work with College leadership to promote the robust freedom of expression and dissent at Dartmouth. We are preparing a FAQ on the issue; please submit questions here. We will release more updates at the start of Winter term.
Student Issue Survey: We created and distributed our 2nd annual Student Issue Survey on mental health, transportation, technology, housing, food, and safety and security. The report will be shared during the Winter term.
Annual IdeaLab for Mental Health Grant Program: We released our IdeaLab for Mental Health application providing up to $1,000 grants for student-led projects addressing mental health and wellness at Dartmouth. Selected grantees will be announced during the Winter term.
Mental Health and Wellness Resource Guide: We updated our Mental Health and Wellness Resource Guide and continue to collaborate with the Counseling Center, the Mental Health Union, the Student Wellness Center, and others across campus to ensure student access to resources.
Winterim Co-op Vouchers: DSG provided gift cards to students who were on-campus during Winterim to assist in purchasing groceries.
Partnered with Dartmouth Civics to host a Voter Registration Drive: Over 100 people registered to vote at the registration drive. Thank you to the Dartmouth Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and the NAACP for educating voters!
Hosted an End-of-Term Community in Dialogue Dinner: Over 130 people attended a dinner to check-in with their peers in a meaningful way.
Conversation with Students and Surgeons General. On September 27, 2023, Student Body President Jessica Chiriboga ’24 and Vice President Kiara Ortiz ’24 moderated a conversation with student leaders and four Surgeons General to discuss mental health in higher education.
Trip to Norwich Farmers’ Market: DSG and Advance Transit representatives organized a guided trip to the Norwich Farmers’ Market to promote Advance Transit’s new Saturday Service and refreshed routes.
President of DSG participated in President Beilock’s inauguration: SBP Jessica Chiriboga ’24 spoke on behalf of the student body at President Sian Beilock’s inauguration as Dartmouth’s 19th President.
GreenPrint Increase: In partnership with ITC, GreenPrint was updated to improve efficiency and the printing stipend was increased from $60 to $75.
New Undergraduate Housing on West Wheelock Street: As a result of student advocacy for increasing housing, Dartmouth will create 250-300 new beds for undergraduate students on West Wheelock Street.
SBP Jessica Chiriboga ’24 at Dartmouth Club of the Upper Valley’s Fourth Tuesday Talk: SBP Jessica Chiriboga ’24 shared more about her journey at Dartmouth and work as Student Body President and an advocate for mental health on campus.
Summer Projects:
Arranged meetings with President Beilock, Provost Kotz, EVP Mills, Dean Brown, Town Manager Alex Torpey, DDS Director Plodzik, SPCSA, SWC, Dartmouth Votes, Dean Ramsey, Director Cunneen, Dean McKenna, Dr. Reed, Dr. Earle, Professor Biron, and more to advocate for our main priorities.
Worked on furnishing the two Library rooms we helped make available for private teletherapy appointments. To book, click here.
Advocated for Free Laundry and met with Residential Operations.
Helped develop Dartmouth’s Strategic Plan on Mental Health and Wellbeing on the JED Steering Committee.
Oversaw WiFi improvements beginning this summer.
Attended Town of Hanover meetings.
President Millman and VP Chiriboga, 2022 - 2023:
Fall 2022:
Advocated within the Board of Trustees, Senior Leadership, and the Counseling Center to bring Uwill teletherapy to campus, which concluded a year long advocacy process to improve mental health at Dartmouth.
Fought and achieved both a Day of Caring and NRO Extension, and helped plan programming over month of October.
Helped return Late-Night Dining, 7 days a week to FOCO (1953 Commons) until 1:30am starting this Winter term, January 3rd! We also partnered with DDS to hold a free late pizza night event.
Started collaboration with Dartmouth Votes, conducted and planned Voter Registration drives, distributed voter information guides designed by student volunteers Armita Mirkarimi '25 and Bea Burack '25, and offered van shuttles to the polls with live GPS tracking.
Distributed over 700 sporks for reusable campus and student access.
Developed a Sun Lamp rental program through the Dartmouth Library.
Refreshed Dartmouth Wellbeing Resources map (created in 22W), available on the Student Wellness Center website.
Made two $800 donations (over $1600 total) to the Dick's House Student Food Pantry, and are distributing nearly 100 Hanover Co-op grocery vouchers for food insecure students in Winterim.
Initiated Student Government contact with alumni, the alumni council, and met for the first time in-person with the Dartmouth Board of Trustees.
Launched new social media page, platform, and website redesign.
Advertised and helped support elections for new 2026 House Senators.
Talked to hundreds of first-years at the Club Fair about DSG.
Participated and helped conduct Twilight Ceremony for '26s.
Distributed 100 end-of-term Dartmouth Coach Vouchers to students who have $0 expected financial contribution (EFC).
Created and distributed a Student Issue Survey that covered the topics of mental health, transportation, housing, food, and safety and security. We will utilize all 1,331 responses to create a report that will assist in our agenda for the remainder of the year and for advocacy with the Board of Trustees, alumni, and administration.
Created a Town Affairs Liaison Position within Student Government to work on zoning and housing issues.
Disseminated First Year Guide.
Funded/designed a wellness room for the Student Wellness Center’s new location next to FFB, launching January 11, 2023 from 2-4 PM.
VP Jess Chiriboga '24 represented Dartmouth at the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris and the Department of Education.
Collaborated with the Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) to fund a bus trip to the social security office in Concord.
Represented current Dartmouth students and future generations of Dartmouth students during 50th anniversary of co-education weekend.
Winter 2023:
Returned Late Night Dining 7 days a week at FOCO!
Developed a relationship with the Hanover Town Government through our newly-created Town Liaison position.
Partnered with Dartmouth Library to make private rooms available for students to take teletherapy appointments, book here.
Mental Health Committee Co-Chair Jessica Chiriboga ‘24 secured a $10,000 grant and the Committee worked to design and establish a tranquility room in the Student Wellness Center. Remaining funding is being used to enhance outdoor wellness.
Advocated and succeeded in expanding the Campus Connect Shuttle to loop around campus, adding in additional stops near all major dorm locations for free. Hours run until 2:30AM every 30 minutes.
The IdeaLab for Mental Health provided three $1,000 grants for student-led projects addressing mental health and wellness at Dartmouth. Our first grantee, Abby Burgess '25, established a bereavement (grief) group for students. The group will use creative and artistic ways to process grief.
Student Government & ITC Partnership resulted in Canva Education Subscriptions now available for free for all students.
Helped return the Burger Special Price to $10 and add new combos around dining locations.
Established a Dining Advisory Council between DSG and Dartmouth Dining to better work on campus issues.
Returned meal swipes to snack bars on campus!
Unanimously voted to support the Student Worker's Collective at Dartmouth's (SWCD) call for a $21 hourly wage, and drafted a resolution that was submitted to stakeholders.
Launched a new live feedback survey for DSG.
Donated over $800 to the Student Food Pantry in Dick's House.
Town Affairs Liaison Nicolás Macri '24 and Deputy Liasion Daniel Cai '26 drafted a report that was endorsed by DSG supporting the North End Housing Project. They presented this in person to the Hanover Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA).
Former COS Kiara Ortiz '24 drafted and submitted a proposal around Free Laundry to the Executive Vice President and Provost, and Dartmouth Senior Administration is ready to make a change.
Tamhid Islam '26 established a connection with the Hanover Co-op to work to provide more gift cards and discounts to students.
Hosted a focus group dinner with FGLI students.
Rohan Menezes '23 connected the Sustainability Office and DSG in an effort to increase student input in Dartmouth's new sustainability goals.
Created a Mental Health and Wellness Resource Guide.
Mental Health Committee drafted and publicized their recommended changes to the 'Medical Time Away' policy.
Identified students for JED listening sessions reviewing the Medical Leave policy.
Anthony Fosu '24 and Gerol Fang '23 led communications with Residential Operations to increase the reach of our menstrual product project.
Helped facilitate WiFi improvements (including on the Green) starting Summer 2023.
Joined the All-Ivy Mental Health Working Group.
Spring 2023:
Worked with Residential Life and the Dean of the College to reestablish 24/7 dorm access in the Spring Term.
Ran a burrito and ballots local government awareness campaign for the Hanover Town elections.
Distributed over 300 Dartmouth Coach Vouchers to students on financial aid.
With our new Town Affairs Liaison Program, we helped contribute to zoning changes and rental protections in the Town of Hanover that were passed at the May 2023 Town Meeting, making housing more accessible and safer!
Hosted a end-of-year celebration for the Dartmouth community.
Served as an active communicator about the JED process to the student body.
Our second IdeaLab for Mental Health grantee Amina Zoklat ’23 created a baking club that fostered community and provided a (tasty) break from busy schedules.
Our third IdeaLab for Mental Health grantee Kaitlyn Romanger ’24 organized a wellness event with treats and self-care items to ease end-of-term stress.
Dartmouth Student Government (DSG) and Dartmouth Civics partnered to put on a Hanover Selectboard Candidate Forum.
Co-hosted a student forum with the Mental Health Student Union (MHU) and acclaimed dietician, eating disorder specialist, and community organizer Jessica Wilson.
Gathered student ideas about mental health and wellness on campus at the Counseling Center’s Unwind Your Mind event.
Chukwuka Odigbo ’25 organized a mental health open mic in Collis One Wheelock!
__________________________
Recent Achievements of Student Government at Dartmouth (2019-2022):
2021 - 2022
Re-launched First Year Guide.
Organized Collis Late Night Pizza event and a Spring Gala for hundreds of undergraduates, Ice Rink during winter term.
Mental Health: Pilot program of Calm App (meditation) with 100 undergraduates, Mental Health Roundtable with Dick’s House, launched the IdeaLab for Mental Health (funding and office hours for Mental Health projects), funded pilot program surveys on the Calm App (DSG-run) and Headspace App and Healthy Minds App (Student Wellness Center-run; DSG-incentivized), twice a month meetings with the Dartmouth Student Mental Health Union (known as MHU), created Dartmouth Wellbeing Resources Map utilized by thousands of students on the Student Wellness Center website, funded Mental Health Speaker Series alongside MHU, purchased Sun Lamps for student use and encouraged their circulation in the Library and among Dartmouth Athletics.
JED Foundation: Promoted the Healthy Minds Survey to all undergraduates and had a student representative on the JED Foundation-Dartmouth Undergraduate Committee on Mental Health that identified key areas of concern on campus.
Distributed over 1,100 NightCap drink covers to the student body.
Continued expansion of Dartmouth Couch Voucher program, termly re-stocking of the Dick’s House Food Pantry, and menstrual product dispensers in restrooms.
Maintained mask recycling bins throughout campus and purchased over 700 reusable sporks for undergraduates (passed out 22F).
2020 - 2021
Won approval for Dartmouth students to return to campus in the face of Administrative and Faculty opposition.
Creation of the Student Liaison Committee to the Board of Trustees!
Registered hundreds of students to vote through our Voter Registration Drives and Absentee Ballot Website.
Increase of termly Greenprint funds from $20 to $60 for every student
Expansive food insecurity project: support for the Dick’s House Food Pantry (bulk ordering donations and organizing end-of-term DBA drives), Co-op Grocery Store vouchers, Food Insecurity Report.
Created and ran an Economic Inequality Survey.
Expansion of Dartmouth Coach Voucher program.
2019 - 2020
Successfully advocated to change the Fall 2019 Dorm Access Policy
Provided free student access to The New York Times
Dartmouth Coach Voucher program