Dartmouth College president Phil Hanlon has broken his silence following a tense confrontation earlier this month between Black Lives Matter protesters and students studying at a campus library.

“On Thursday evening, Nov. 12, a large demonstration by members of the Dartmouth and Upper Valley communities culminated in a moment of silence in front of Dartmouth Hall,” Mr. Hanlon wrote in an email sent to the Dartmouth community on Monday, The Tab Dartmouth reported. “This demonstration was a powerful expression of unity in support of social justice — Dartmouth at its strongest.

“I cannot say the same about events that transpired in Baker Library immediately afterward,” he continued. “I have heard reports of vulgar epithets, personal insults, and intimidating actions used both by students who entered the library and students who were already in the library. We are actively investigating all reports of violations of College policy, and will enforce appropriate sanctions. Such behavior is antithetical to our values and goals as an institution.

“As one of the great institutions of higher learning, we are committed to the open and energetic exchange of ideas. And as Dartmouth’s citizenship pledge reminds us, we must treat each person with dignity and respect. Abusive language aimed at community members — by any group, at any time, in any place — is not acceptable,” Mr. Hanlon said.

The email comes after Vice Provost for Student Affairs Inge-Lise Ameer sided with the protesters and apologized for the negative responses and media coverage that they have received their demonstration.

“There’s a whole conservative world out there that’s not being very nice,” she said during a Nov. 16 meeting with Black Lives Matter activists.

An editorial by The Dartmouth Review, an independent campus newspaper, alleged that white students were pushed and shoved by the group during their Nov. 12 demonstration. The Dartmouth, the school’s student daily, confirmed through witness accounts that some students studying in the Baker-Berry Library were yelled at, insulted and driven to tears.

The university issued a press release that week that said no complaints of violence had been filed with the college since the incident, which the college described at the time as a “peaceful meeting” turned “political protest.”

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