Dean search in early stages

Dye has named partial committee

The new Dean of Student Life and Services search will soon be underway.

Last fall, Charlene Cole-Newkirk resigned from her position as Dean of Student Life and Services. Deborah McNish, previously the Director of Residential Life and Services, took the temporary position as Interim Dean this fall and will remain in this position for the rest of the academic year. The new dean search is underway, however, and according to McNish, the position will most likely be filled by July 1.

McNish is not involved in the current dean search and is considering the permanent dean position with discretion. "I've been struggling with it because I have to evaluate with my own success. I don't want to be presumptuous after being dean for five months," she said.

Director of Libraries Ray English, who was a part of the 1994 dean search committee, is now chair of the current committee. "It is true things did not work out, but I think we had a good process last time. It had very good campus participation," he said.

The five other faculty members include Director of the Bonner Scholar program Mark Blackman, Professor of Philosophy Norman Care, Associate Professor of Jazz Studies and Double Bass Peter Dominguez, Director Counseling Center Director Charlie Ross and Associate Professor of Politics Eve Sandberg.

The six faculty and staff members are waiting for student senators to select two students to fill the last two student-designated positions on the committee. "We really hope we can make the student appointments quickly. We want the full committee to be involved as soon as possible," said English.

In 1994, the dean search committee had a larger membership of 12, one of whom was College President Nancy Dye. "The approach this time is to have a somewhat smaller group but still be representative of the community," said English.

Dye is sending out a search committee announcement today, and student Senate has already posted signs around campus encouraging every student to nominate him or herself for one of the two committee positions being held specifically for students.

The new search committee had a preliminary meeting Thursday. During this meeting, the members modified an advertisement that Dye put together and will start advertising the position once it is approved by Dye. The committee is also working on the job description.

"[Last time] we did a lot of work discussing with students, faculty and staff what was wanted in the dean. I think we have a good sense of what Oberlin wants in the new dean," said English.