Reorganization of Dean of Students Office, Student Affairs may take effect mid-monthr

The University last week reaffirmed its plans to move forward with a merger of the Dean of Students Office and the Office of Student Affairs. The proposed changes include new responsibilities and a centralized reporting structure that could go into effect by mid-October.

Chancellor Gordon Gee announced in January a reorganization that would create the position of vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life. Administrators were busy during the summer with plans to develop the new infrastructure.

"It is important to implement this proposal immediately, even as we continue our search for a student life leader," Gee wrote in a memorandum to the Vanderbilt Board of Trust dated Sept. 24. "I am very pleased with the progress being made to improve the quality of student life at Vanderbilt. There is clearly a renewed spirit of partnership between the University and its students, which is most gratifying."

Gee said the approved proposal received "strong support" from the staff in existing departments that work with students.

David Williams II, vice chancellor, general counsel and professor of law, will continue to lead the reorganized division as interim vice chancellor for student life until the position is filled. Williams, who is also chair of the search committee, said the administrative structure for the Office for Student Life was brought about through three daylong retreats.

"After going through eight drafts with numerous comments and lobbying from the entire division, the group recommended an organizational structure that the division believes will best serve our students and the Vanderbilt community," he wrote in the proposal to Gee dated Sept. 1.

Williams, who served seven years as vice president for student affairs at Ohio State University, attended two forums that were organized by the Student Government Association to give students the opportunity to respond to the proposal. The forums convened Sept. 18 and 26.

"In addition, I will personally be e-mailing the students with a copy of the recommended structure asking for their thoughts," said Williams. The e-mail was sent last month.

Under the proposed structure, eight departments will report directly to the yet-to-be-named vice chancellor for student life: administrative support; student conduct (which reports jointly to the Office of General Counsel); advancement; campus living; health, wellness and recreation; student activities, student and family support; and leadership development. The position will report directly to the Chancellor. The reorganization consolidates the activities formerly administered by the Office of the Associate Provost for Student Affairs and the Office of the Dean of Students, both of which reported to the Provost.

"We need to have a powerful, creative advocate for the student experience at Vanderbilt," Gee said in January, when the initial plans were announced. "Though our classroom experience is second to none, we now have to challenge ourselves to create a dynamic, student-based learning community that touches all aspects of student life at Vanderbilt."