Dean candidate Chapman withdraws

In the most recent development in the search for a new dean of students, one of the four final candidates withdrew from consideration this week, citing personal reasons.

Richard Chapman, a candidate from Bucknell University, is no longer in the final candidate pool.

Currently the search committee is considering the three remaining candidates before making a final recommendation to President Nancy Dye.

Director of Libraries and chair of the search committee Ray English said the committee has not yet made a decision and will be considering the candidates closely until they can make a decision they are comfortable with. "We will be choosing someone soon," he said.

The remaining candidates are Interim Dean of Students Deb McNish, Associate Dean of Students Bill Stackman and Dean of First-years at Dartmouth College Peter Goldsmith.

Goldsmith visited Oberlin in early March. McNish spoke in an open forum the following week to a very small audience and Stackman spoke Monday. Chapman, who since withdrew, also spoke before Spring Break.

Deb McNish

McNish opened her forum with students by briefly outlining her employment history. She has been involved in student life for 25 years, serving as everything from an RC to a counselor and now interim dean of student life.

The first question posed to her in her open forum March 15 was what she thought her legacy at Oberlin was.

"If you look for a legacy of Deb McNish, you will find that I'm a mission driven, value-oriented person, and I always need to know why we do what we do."

McNish said that if chosen, she would try to define the focus of Student Life and Services. "The ideas I have for Student Life are all globally focused. But that focus needs to be defined and articulated. If we don't do that over the next two years, I don't think staff will feel successful, and I don't think the college community will think the division is successful."

McNish discussed her role as a supporter of queer programming on campus. "Probably the first thing I'd say to you is I look at it within a framework of oppression," McNish said. She then expanded her thoughts on the diversity of Oberlin. "I feel there is a hypocrisy in the Oberlin community, not just with students, but with adults. I will bring to the table a real approach to questioning those things. People who have been oppressed can feel it, and I might bring out pointing out the elephant in the womb."

One student asked McNish what her accomplishments have been here. McNish said she worked hard on the multiple meal plan in the face of providing more options for students within a financially stressed dining program.

"I heard so many complaints from students that I told the administration that this was really important," McNish said. "I tried to add as much flexibility at a lower cost and provide as many options. But the only way to increase the options is to have the general budget not so dependent on the dining dollar."

McNish said she is trying to whittle it down, but said it is a very complicated issue.

The issue of race was one that McNish felt was one of the most difficult on campus. She felt that to improve relations among students, the general issues of race had to be addressed for faculty and staff as well. "To focus on students only has been our downfall because the adults in this place stay here forever and ever. That is where we must start."

"Working together on a common goal is the one thing I believe that will help us," she said.

Bill Stackman

At the forum with Stackman on Monday, students repaeated many of the same questions. Stackman, who came to the College in 1997, explained why he was interested in the position. "Oberlin has always been a dream school to me. I was attracted to the kind of student Oberlin attracted, the values that the institution holds through its history and legacy," he said.

Stackman said he sees gauging student needs from Student Life and Services would be his first order of business if chosen. Assessing the health of the division would then be a priority. "Leadership within the division is lacking even though we have had support during this time. If we don't pay attention to things within the organization, then the organization will be unable to function as it should."

One student asked how Student Life and Services could help foster a sense of community on campus. "I think that it can happen in many ways," he said. "We need to find ways to bring groups together by making policy and programmatic decisions ... to increase interaction."

On his experience with queer issues, Stackman showed some depth of understanding. "I certainly feel a lot of issues that impact a lot of members of this community." Stackman said queer students should be able to seek support from the division. "Many students grapple with issues of identity," he said. "The whole issue of coming out is unique and something many of our students need support with."

The discussion of the proposed queer program house brought up the issue of program houses in general. Some people feel program houses divide groups on campus, but Stackman disagreed with that assessment. "I think the program houses serve a need on campus. I have talked to a lot of students who say if it wasn't' for their program house, they wouldn't have stayed here."

Coupled with his dedication to the idea of program houses, Stackman was concerned about morale problems within the African-American community. "People often feel they have to be the spokesperson for their group. I am certainly aware of many of the frustrations - that many don't feel there is adequate support." He said he believes he is seen as an ally, though. "They feel I am someone they can reach out to."

While at Oberlin, Stackman has spearheaded many programs, included the Women's Resource Center, and the Leadership Series.

"We need to be very proactive and interested in making this a better place," he said.

Stackman: Another open dean forum was held Monday. (photo by Rachel Pillsbury)