Res Life search nears end

In a few days, the identity of the new assistant director of residential life will be made public.

The search committee recommended their top candidate a few weeks ago. Dean of Student Life and Services Charlene Cole-Newkirk reviewed the committee's work and approved it this week.

One of the final candidates is from outside of Oberlin. The other is Terri Bump, special assistant in Student Life.

When asked if she was confident that the person selected will be able to do a good job, Associate Dean of Residential Life and Services Deb McNish, search committee chair, said, "As confident as you are when you hire anybody."

Committee support of the final two candidates was unanimous. The final single recommendation was supported by 2/3 of the committee, McNish said.

Representatives from Residential Life, Oberlin Student Cooperative Association and Buildings and Grounds served on the search committee.

The assistant director will be in charge of facilities management.

The search process took seven months. It began in October, when the job description was changed to focus more on facilities management. At the beginning of November McNish said she hoped the position would be filled by the end of that month. "We've been sweating it out trying to provide facilities services," McNish said, in November.

McNish said she couldn't really say why the search took so long, but said that posting and reposting the position probably took up the most time.

"It's maddening not having a person," McNish said. She said the assistant director's work has been distributed between her, Assistant Director of Residential Life Yeworkwha Belachew and Associate Dean of Student Life Michele Gross.