Director needed

As many students know, Oberlin is in the process of finding a new Director of Residential Life and Services. This task is still in the very early stages. An eight-person committee, consisting of Oberlin faculty, staff and students, has been chosen, and Dean Peter Goldsmith is in the process of calling their first meeting.

Linda Gates, Acting Associate Dean of Student Academic Services, is the chair of the search committee. She said, "The goals of this first meeting are to review the job description [drafted by Dean Goldsmith], to discuss a time table and to ascertain what attributes we will be looking for in candidates."

The meeting will also serve as an opportunity for those involved in the selection process to determine what qualities should be looking for in any potential candidates for the job. "At this meeting, we will also discuss ways in which we can initiate conversation with various constituencies on campus in the early part of the search to find out what different people would want us to look for in a new director," Goldsmith said.

Junior Jane Glynn, one of three student members of the search committee, also emphasized the importance of different people's opinions. She said, "It's all about diversity of thought and experience." Glynn explained her complicated role as a student member of the committee. "I see my role as that of a student advocate, which simply means that I want to bring the concerns of students to the table in a manner that will allow them to be heard. A huge part of a student's responsibility on a committee like this is to act in a responsible, respectful manner while still sticking up for students. I also believe that my role is not merely representative; I would hope that people find me capable of making an intelligent, informed decision, one that I've come to on my own after much input from others."

Naturally, Glynn is adamant about student participation in the search. She said, "The three of us students are already planning to create fora in which students can bring up questions and concerns. Of course, everything that we do is incumbent upon other students caring enough to talk with us and share their ideas, but so far, I've been really pleased with the interest I've heard expressed." Goldsmith emphasized this point as well. "Every student on campus should have an opportunity to meet the finalists if they wish, as is the custom at Oberlin," he said.

Students and faculty committee members are excited to work together for the best possible results. Harry Pepper, Oberlin's staff psychologist, said, "Our role is to evaluate applicants, look for a good fit with respect to the job description as well as with respect to Oberlin College."