For so many students the title Dean of the College conjures up an uncomfortably fuzzy, abstract image. No current students have had a long-term dean, and recent student action has focused on the President instead of the Dean, who is intended as an administrative outlet for students. A dean should be someone who is our advocate, leader or at least sympathizer, right? Someone who learns and is committed to student concerns, a representative who stands apart from fundraising interests; at best someone who is able to guide students in a long-term vision of what Wesleyan—as an ideal—should be.
Realistic isn’t always as good as ideal, but Wesleyan students should be ready to project their high expectations for their school onto their new dean, who will be chosen within weeks.
On Wednesday and next Monday students will have the opportunity to participate in open interviews of the candidates, Wesleyan administrator Billy Weitzer and Interim Dean of Connecticut College Maria A. Cruz-Saco, and e-mail President Bennet their recommendations and comments. It’s our turn to ask the tough questions of the new dean before the position is filled, to potentially build for a strong Administration-student relationship in the future.
Hopefully, students will not shy away. Who else might ask what the potential deans would have done differently in the cases of chalking, gender-neutral housing or WESU? What potential problems do they think Wesleyan has? What are the first things they would change or protect on campus? Do they have the gall to truly be a leader and advisor for students while still providing Administrative voice?
The upcoming interviews are not an opportunity just for students in the WSA or outspoken advocates to put in their two cents, but for everyone. If anyone is going to take up such a leadership role as Dean of the College, they should be able to address student issues coming from the source.
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