Policy for Lowering of Dartmouth Flag

Summary of Policy

This policy outlines the events and holidays in which the Dartmouth and the American flag may be lowered.

Affected Parties

All Groups

Policy Statement

This mark of respect will be paid in the event of the death of any current and emeritus trustees, current and emeritus faculty, current and emeritus senior officers, current undergraduate and current graduate students, current College employees (which includes all exempt, non-exempt, and union staff). The flag may also be lowered at the College President's discretion.

The flag will be lowered on the day of the death, as soon as news is received, and it will be kept at half-staff throughout all of the next day. The day following (the third day) it will not be lowered. If the flag is lowered in memory of more than one individual on one of these days, it may be kept at half-staff for an additional day.

Information about deaths of College personnel and students should be given promptly to the President's Office or to the Provost's Office. The Assistant to the President or Provost will notify the Administrative Assistant in Conferences and Events. This individual will then arrange for the flag to be flown at half-staff by notifying Facilities Operations and Management, and will provide the memorial card that is put on the granite post near the flagpole. The Administrative Assistant will also post this information via the VOX Daily. 

The American flag will be lowered only upon a government order and for the length of time prescribed by the President of the United States with the same procedure to be followed as with the Dartmouth flag regarding notification and execution of policy.

In addition to the circumstances noted above, the American flag will be lowered to half-staff on the following days:

  • Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15th
  • Memorial Day, last Monday in May (Flag raised to full staff at noon)
  • Korean War Veterans Day, July 27th
  • Patriot Day, September 11th
  • Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, December 7th

The Dartmouth flag will be taken down entirely when the American flag is lowered to half-staff except by special directive from the College President. In the event of a death in the Dartmouth community while the American flag is at half-staff, the Dartmouth flag will be flown at half-staff also. Again, the same procedure will be followed regarding notification and execution of policy.

Policy ID

010-0001

Effective Date

January 1, 2016

Division

Advancement

Office of Primary Responsibility

Conferences and Events

Last Reviewed Date

May 24, 2023

Next Review Date

2025