A joint criminal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Dartmouth Faculty of Arts and Sciences professors Todd Heatherton, Bill Kelley, and Paul Whalen has been launched by the New Hampshire attorney general’s office, the Grafton County attorney, New Hampshire State Police, the Grafton County sheriff’s office, and Hanover police, according to College spokeswoman Diana Lawrence.

Last week, the College issued a statement confirming its own ongoing investigations, Lawrence says. While those investigations are pending, the three faculty members are on paid leave, with restricted access to Dartmouth property.

“Dartmouth is cooperating with law enforcement,” says Lawrence. “From the outset of our investigations, we have encouraged the reporting of possible crimes to law enforcement and have offered resources to support that reporting.”

The attorney general’s office has provided contacts for anyone with information about these allegations. People can contact State Police Trooper Catherine Shackford at (603) 419-8014 or catherine.shackford@dos.nh.gov, or Scott Gilbert, an investigator in the attorney general’s office, at (603) 931-9570 or scott.gilbert@doj.nh.gov.

President Phil Hanlon ’77 today notified the College community of the investigation in an email.

“It is important to remember that investigations are ongoing, with no official findings yet produced. However, we take these allegations very seriously and are pursuing our own independent investigations in coordination with law enforcement officials,” he wrote.

“I want to say in the most emphatic way possible that sexual misconduct and harassment are unacceptable and have no place at Dartmouth. Such acts harm us as individuals and as members of the community.”

Those needing help with matters involving sexual assault can find information and resources on the College’s sexual respect website.

Lawrence said the College would have no further comment on the ongoing investigations.