Dean of Students search restarts

The search for a new Dean of Students that was initiated when Gail DiSabatino left the position last spring to go to Clemson University failed to find a replacement. The search, which at one point was narrowed to three candidates, is restarting in the fall.

"There were 143 applicants for the position. We narrowed it down to seven people for telephone interviews and then to three people for campus visits. The three candidates were excellent, but in the final analysis it seemed that we needed to reopen the search and move forward," said Bill Schafer, vice president of Student Affairs and chair of the search committee.

"We will reopen the search in the Fall. We will be informing people and accepting applicants. We will hopefully be doing interviews before the end of fall," said Alison Graab, undergraduate student body president.

The search committee used a national search firm based in Boston during the first search and plans to reuse the firm during the second search. "We will be reposting with a search firm in September. Things slow down over summer. It's hard to have people on campus and get people to apply. But we hope to have applicants on campus interviewing by Thanksgiving," Schafer said.

According to Schafer the reason the search is starting over is not because of a lack of qualified candidates. "All of the candidates were highly qualified people, but this is a matching process between each institution and a lot of good people. There is a timing issue. You hope that you can find that person who is ready to make a move. You don't want to settle for just anybody. The standard is pretty high at Tech," Schafer said.

"We feel by opening up the process again, we'll have better applicants," Graab said.

While the search is being held, the Dean of Students position is being held by John Stein, director of Success Programs, on an interim basis. "John Stein is filling in as interim Dean of Students. He agreed to continue until the spot was filled. He is not a candidate for the position. He has been Dean of Students twice and knows Tech well," Schafer said.

"I have 26 years working with students in higher education. I occupied the Dean's position at two small liberal arts colleges: Sarah Lawrence and Manhattanville Colleges, both in New York state. I spent 15 years at Skidmore college at a variety of positions," Stein said.

According to Schafer, Stein is not only holding the position steady, but helping it move forward, as well. "We are the best hands imaginable for an interim Dean of Students." Schafer said.

"I am a place marker, but the nature of the job is that you have a continuous flow of student crises and concerns that come up. It is not possible to place things on hold. I am not sure how many new initiatives I would start knowing that I am leaving. I will continue stuff that was already started, though," Stein said.

"John Stein is doing a good job," Graab said.

The search committee wants to ensure the new Dean of Students follows the path laid by previous deans. "There is a legacy with the Dean of Students that we are trying to preserve," Graab said.

"The Dean's position has a legacy and a tradition. Former deans have held the position for several years. Many students remember and love the Dean of Students they had in college. Today, I received a letter from an alum who graduated in 1952. He expressed his gratitude for his relationship with Dean Griffin and wants to talk about giving a small contribution to Tech. That helps to explain how pivotal a position the Dean is," Stein said.

"Tech has had three Deans since the 1940s: Dean Griffin, Dean Dahl and Dean Gail. We have an incredible tradition of the Dean of Students. There is a statue of Dean Griffin outside the Ferst Center," Schafer said.

The committee feels that it will find a new dean the second time around. "Tech is a place that people want to work. We'll find someone out there," Graab said.

"I am very optimistic and looking forward to getting rolling in the fall," Schafer said.

"I want to reassure students that it is business as usual. Any concerns that students have, they should address the Dean of Students and they will receive full attention. I would like to ask students to have patience with the search. The goal is to find the very best person for the spot," Stein said.