OUR VIEWS Consensus Opinion

End in sight?

The search for a new Dean of Students, which began after Gail DiSabatino left the position last spring, may finally be nearing completion. The search began on a national level but became an internal search at Tech. After all the candidates from the first search were rejected, it is unlikely that new candidates would come forward, and another national search would only have been a considerable expense with uncertain results. The search seems to be taking an exceedingly long time, and it can only be a good thing for it to wind down and allow the new dean to get to work.

The sole finalist of the latest search is interim Dean of Students John Stein. Stein has been doing a great job of filling the position, and we are glad that he has decided he wants to stay. Keeping him will help maintain stability in his office. Additionally, he has had more than six months to assess the situation and recognize changes that he can make if selected as the permanent Dean. While he may not have been willing to make any significant changes while in the position as the interim Dean, making his appointment official will allow him to hit the ground running.

However, it is not as if the selection committee is just handing Stein the job on a silver platter. He is going through the same rigorous process that any other finalist would be going through, which will ensure that he really is the kind of person who should fill such an important position-not that we have any doubts.

Changes decoded

The GT Listens forum at the Campanile Oct. 12, a Student Government Association initiative to help students understand the new Residence Hall Community Policies, is a great idea. Clearly, students want to understand the policy changes, which are much more limited than many students believe.

It is nice to see students taking this step in getting more involved with the Institute and understanding the laws that govern them as students and residents, and it's also commendable that the Housing administration is so willing to respond to confused students. The forum is also tied to future events which will continue the trend of promoting student understanding.

Though the revised policy now only forbids physical, not verbal, attacks of fellow students, students should remember that just because it's not against policy doesn't make it acceptable to hurt others and that they are still responsible for following the Student Code of Conduct.