President Sian Beilock helped to organize and participated in an Association of American Universities summit about renewing trust in research universities with the American public. While in Washington, D.C., she met with Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) to discuss strategies to build Congressional support for higher education reform legislation and with administration officials. 

Dartmouth joined an amicus brief in support of Harvard's lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security alongside 47 other colleges and universities. The lawsuit involves DHS’ purported termination of Harvard’s ability to participate in its Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which would effectively end Harvard’s ability to enroll international students and to host visiting scholars. 

The brief highlights a few examples of the contributions that international students and scholars have made at Dartmouth, including the invention of the BASIC computer programming language; advancements in cybersecurity; the founding of numerous biotechnology companies; and the discovery of new ways to produce antibodies and other human therapeutic proteins.

On Dec. 16, the White House issued a new Presidential Proclamation that expands the travel ban announced in June 2025 to additional countries, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The restrictions apply to citizens of the affected countries who are outside of the United States on Jan. 1 and who do not have a valid visa on that date.

A total of 19 countries are now subject to the full ban, as well as individuals traveling with documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority. The proclamation also expands the list of countries subject to partial entry restrictions, which includes suspension of entry for individuals traveling on F and J visas.

The lists of countries subject to the full and partial bans can be found on the OVIS website, along with additional details regarding the provisions of the proclamation. OVIS has been in touch with students and scholars from those affected countries and will continue to provide updates as they become available.

Following her attendance at the Association of American Universities fall members meeting, President Sian Beilock visited multiple legislators on Capitol Hill. She discussed the challenges facing higher education and the importance of federal research funding with Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), increasing transparency and affordability in higher education with Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and energy research as well as the importance of dialogue and the legacy of Coach Eugene F. "Buddy" Teevens III '79 with Sen. John Hoeven ’79 (R-ND).

President Sian Beilock delivered her feedback, as requested, to the Administration about the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” and shared that information publicly via a message to Dartmouth faculty, staff, and students.

The response reiterated the feedback that President Beilock shared with members of the Administration during a phone call on Oct. 17, which reflected the input of the Board of Trustees, faculty governance groups across campus, and the broader Dartmouth community.

Dartmouth will continue to engage with the federal government—regardless of what political party is in power—to preserve one of the most successful joint ventures in history.