1. The process for selecting an alumni trustee candidate involves balloting rather than voting.  What is the difference?
2. What is the difference between a nominated trustee candidate and a petition trustee candidate?
3. Why is it important for alumni to participate in trustee elections?
4. Who may vote in alumni trustee and alumni association elections?

1. The process for selecting an alumni trustee candidate involves balloting rather than voting.  What is the difference?

The Dartmouth College Board of Trustees is the only body that is authorized to elect trustees. The Association of Alumni is asked to nominate alumni trustees. Therefore the balloting process produces a nomination, not an election.

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2. What is the difference between a nominated trustee candidate and a petition trustee candidate?

The Alumni Council’s Nominating and Alumni Trustee Search Committee spends hundreds of hours each year researching potential candidates for alumni trustee, ultimately producing up to two candidates per seat, as mandated by the constitution of the Association of Alumni. After the Alumni Council votes to ratify the candidates, it presents them to the entire alumni body. Once the nominees are made public, any other member of the Association of Alumni may petition onto the ballot if they obtain 500 signatures of association members.

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3. Why is it important for alumni to participate in trustee elections?

Dartmouth College trustees make significant decisions that impact the direction of the College and its allocation of resources. The board has the ultimate responsibility for the financial, administrative and academic affairs of the College and holds Dartmouth’s assets in trust. They appoint the president and work to support his or her goals; determine the mission of the institution and approve long-range plans to carry it out; review the educational program; approve the institution's budget and manage the endowment; and ensure an adequate and well-maintained physical plant.  Your vote makes a difference in the life of the College.

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4. Who may vote in alumni trustee and Association of Alumni elections?

All alumni may vote. Alumni are defined as those who have matriculated at Dartmouth and whose class has graduated, or who have received a graduate degree from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. All alumni of the professional schools are eligible to vote. Honorary degree recipients, exchange students, and adopted alumni are not eligible to vote.

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