Goldsmith chosen as dean of students

This week, Peter Goldsmith, dean of first-years at Dartmouth College, accepted the offer to be Oberlin's next dean of students, beating out Associate Dean of Student Life Bill Stackman. Interim Dean of Students Deb McNish withdrew from consideration last week after accepting a position at Earlham College (see related story). The appointment, however, has brought with it an outpouring of support for Stackman, who many students feel should have been the first choice.

Tappan Square rocks were painted showing support for Stackman, and a group of students from various campus organizations has threatened to stage a sit-in in protest of the decision and will talk to College President Nancy Dye today. Those students protesting, led by junior Alexis Eastman, felt that holding the open forums during midterms was problematic. "We want to know why Goldsmith was picked," Eastman said.

Despite these objections, the dean search committee felt confident their choice was the correct one. Director of Libraries and chair of the search committee Ray English was very happy with Goldsmith's candidacy and acceptance.

"I am delighted that Peter Goldsmith will be the next dean of student life and services. He brings a strong vision of the role of student life at Oberlin, and he is especially capable of relating student life concerns to academic life," English said.

Director of the Bonner Scholars Program and search committee member Mark Blackman agreed. "Even though all the finalists were excellent, I think we made the best choice for Oberlin and its future," he said.

"In Peter Goldsmith we have a truly exceptional dean," President Nancy Dye said. "He brings strength that will be appreciated by the Oberlin community."

Students, however, didn't share the administrators' enthusiasm, preferring the tried and true Stackman. "Bill Stackman should have been dean," Eastman said. "He interviewed beautifully and had full support of staff and students."

Dye said she understands students' hesitation, but that once students meet Goldsmith they will be as enthusiastic as she is.

"Bill was also a very strong candidate," Dye said. "In his two-and-a-half years here Bill has done a supurb job as an associate dean and a director of student activities. I know most everybody who knows Bill appreciates that."

Senior Laura Iverson, a member of the search committee, attributed the outcry to the natural aversion to the unknown. "The reaction of the campus is that to someone they clearly love over the fear of the unknown and someone they saw for three days in a high pressure. Peter is the right person for the job. I have great faith for what he can do for Oberlin. It's a great match."

Despite rumors to the contrary, Dye said she is not a personal friend of Goldsmith. She said she met him on two occasions before he came to Oberlin for his interview last month.

Goldsmith was also a candidate in the 1994-95 search for the dean position that ended in the hiring of Charlene Cole-Newkirk. Dye said that at that time he did not have the experience he has now.

Iverson felt the search process was well done, with each decision throughout the process being completely consensus-based. "I was pleasantly surprised," Iverson said. "I was expecting to come out of this with a bitter taste, but I feel really excited about the whole process."

Members of the search committee and Dye were disappointed in student turnout at the open forums held for each candidate. "I was surprised at the low turn out of students during the interviews," Dye said. "I don't really know what to attribute that to."

Students pointed to the fact that the forums were held during midterms, and that they were not well-advertised.

Another concern raised by students who objected to the decision was that Goldsmith did not have adequate history in dealing with LGBT community issues.

Goldsmith said in an interview Thursday that he was concerned about that perception. "I've had strong connections at Dartmouth with the LGBT community," he said. "I'm confident that I've always been viewed as an advocate of LGBT issues."

In addition to this initial backlash, the position of dean brings with it a host of problems. With the controversial resignation of former dean Charlene Cole-Newkirk in the Fall of 1997, the division of Student Life has been in turmoil for years. Any new dean will bring changes in personnel.

"Turnover is going to happen," Iverson said. "But I think that once people get to know him, they'll find an ally."

Goldsmith will begin the job on July 1.

The students have spoken: Students decorated the rock in Tappan Square to show support for Bill Stackman. (photo by Stephen Menyhart)