Dean of Students search narrows

After wading through approximately 156 applications, the College committee charged with selecting a new dean of Student Life and Services has narrowed the pool of candidates down to six.

The committee, consisting of three students and several faculty and staff members, plans to recommend a permanent replacement for former Dean of Student Life and Services Charlene Cole-Newkirk by Spring Break. Cole-Newkirk resigned in October 1997. Deb McNish currently serves as interim dean.

Committee members will conduct preliminary off-campus interviews on the weekend of Feb. 20. From there members hope to narrow the list down to three finalists, according to committee chairperson and Director of Libraries Ray English. Ideally the new dean will start work at Oberlin during the summer.

While information about the national pool of candidates remains confidential, the committee has a definite idea of the qualities the new dean should possess.

"We want someone who will be a strong advocate for students, someone who works well with people at all levels, someone who can be effective in building Student Life programs," English said.

Once the finalists have been selected, they will be brought to Oberlin for more interviews. The committee will then recommend one candidate to College President Nancy Dye, who will make the final decision.

English said some committee members might visit the recommended candidate's current campus after the recommendation has been submitted to Dye.

Although the committee is busily checking candidates' references and planning for the upcoming interviews, applications are still arriving.

"We said we'd still look over applications until the position has been filled," English said. "If we had some dynamite application at the last minute, we'd definitely still review it."