Use of Campus Grounds

Policy Statement

Dartmouth-owned outdoor spaces managed by the Conferences and Events office ("Campus Grounds") may be used by students, faculty, staff, and guests of Dartmouth. To avoid undue interference with informal use (e.g., casual gatherings, games, studying) and with Dartmouth principal functions and activities, and to preserve the condition of Campus Grounds, events and activities permitted on Campus Grounds are limited. 
Other outdoor Dartmouth property, including but not limited to spaces at the Collis Student Center, Tuck School of Business, Organic Farm, Outdoor Program Office cabins, and properties managed by Dartmouth Real Estate, are not subject to this policy; they are managed by the department responsible for them and subject to their policies as well as any applicable municipal ordinances and rules.

Applying to use Campus Grounds for an Event or Activity 

Events and activities on Campus Grounds, other than informal use, may be permitted only upon application to, and approval of, the Conferences and Events office and, where necessary, the Town of Hanover. 

Campus Grounds available for events and activities: 

• Andres lawn
• Anonymous Hall south lawn
• Bartlett Tower / The RISE, the rocky outcrop adjacent to Bartlett Tower and the Robert Frost statue, just above the Bema.
• BEMA
• Blunt lawn
• Buchanan lawn
• Cutter Shabazz front lawn
• Dartmouth Green (see specific rules and limitations below)
• Dartmouth Row lawns
• Davis Varsity lawn
• DOC House, South lawn
• Hitchcock, Lord, Streeter, and Gile lawns
• Kemeny Courtyard
• Lewinstein Athletic Center lawns
• Life Sciences Center south lawn
• Lower Baker Lawn
• Maffei Arts Plaza
• Maxwell lawn
• McLane lawn
• McLaughlin lawn
• McNutt lawn
• Moore Plateau lawn
• Rockefeller overhang/lawn
• West End Circle
• Wheeler lawn

Other locations may be requested through the Conferences and Events office. All location specific rules and regulations must be observed.

The Dartmouth Green, virtually unchanged since Dartmouth's founding in 1769, continues to serve its historic role at the center of the campus as a special place for casual use by members of the Dartmouth community. The Green is reserved primarily for informal use by students, faculty, staff, and guests of the College. Formal events and activities permitted on the Green will be limited in number and duration. Because of its unique character, the Green is subject to specific guidelines:

• Homecoming Bonfire, Winter Carnival, Pow Wow, Commencement, Reunions, the Town/College Fourth of July celebration, and the CHaD Half-Marathon are the only annually scheduled events on the Green 
• Events on the Green should be considered open to the public. In rare cases, Dartmouth reserves the right to make events closed to the public. 
• To prepare for Commencement ceremonies, events and activities, other than informal use, may not occur on the Green during the four weeks preceding Commencement.
• Temporary structures, including tents, are generally not allowed on the Green. Limited exceptions include the Homecoming bonfire, Christmas tree, menorah, and any structures needed for the above-listed annual events. Other exceptions may be requested through the Conferences and Events office. Temporary structures must comply with Town of Hanover zoning regulations.

The following rules apply to Campus Grounds:

• Events and activities on Campus Grounds must be sponsored by Dartmouth-recognized organizations or Dartmouth departments.
• To preserve the educational mission of Dartmouth, events and activities, other than informal use, may not occur during pre-examination break (reading periods) or final examination periods, according to the undergraduate academic calendar. Exceptions may be requested through the Conferences and Events office.
• Amplified sound must be approved by the Town of Hanover through the outdoor permitting process and must end at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
• Amplified sound is not permitted on weekdays before 5 p.m. 
• Permitted vehicle use is limited to designated walks and drives.
• Stakes may not be driven into the ground without a professional dig-safe survey to avoid damaging underground utilities and sprinkler lines. Contact the Conferences and Events office for approval.
• Cost for set-up, clean-up and any damage repairs shall be borne by the sponsoring organization or department.
• Intramural activities and club sports may not use the Green. Recreation fields for these activities are managed and booked through the Athletics & Recreation Department. 
• Cleated athletic shoes are not permitted on the Green or other Dartmouth lawns.
• Vending and other commercial activity by Dartmouth departments and organizations may be permitted on grounds other than the Green at the approval of the Conferences and Events office.
• Glass containers are not permitted.
• All events and activities must comply with all appropriate Dartmouth policies. 

Outdoor Permits

Dartmouth organizations and departments should apply for an Outdoor Permit via the Conferences and Events office at least eight days in advance of the planned start of an event or activity on Campus Grounds. The Conferences and Events office will review the permit application and, if the event is approved in accordance with Dartmouth policies and procedures, send it to the Town of Hanover. The Town has required that they receive requests for permits at least seven days in advance of a requested event or activity. If the Town approves the permit, the Conferences and Events office will schedule the event or activity in Dartmouth's space scheduling system, coordinate public services with the Town of Hanover and other Dartmouth departments, and, if required, provide set-up assistance and guidance.

It is recommended that organizations and departments submit permit applications as early as possible to allow time for any questions from the Conferences and Events office or the Town of Hanover.
The Town of Hanover Policy for Demonstrations, Vigils, and Public Protest, adopted in January 2025, offers exceptions to the eight day timeframe for applying for a permit for public gatherings for demonstrations, vigils, and protests. This policy requires that all demonstrations, vigils, and protests be registered with the Town Manager's Office at least two business days before the event. To allow for that timeline to be met, event registration forms must be submitted to Dartmouth's Conferences and Events office for processing at least two business days before the event.
It is important to note it is not guaranteed your event will be approved by either Dartmouth or the Town of Hanover. 

Additional Information

For questions about this policy contact the Conferences and Events office.