Dean of Students position won't be filled

The position of Dean of Students will not be filled after the current Dean, Lee Williams, takes leave at the end of this semester, according to John Saddlemire, vice president for Student Affairs. Saddlemire announced Williams' resignation in a Dec. 5 e-mail.

Williams' resignation has prompted change amongst the Division of Student Affairs. Saddlemire said that the position of Dean of Students will not be filled primarily due to the economic concerns that are facing UConn.

"Given the current economic times and given the changing role of this position over the years, it has been decided that we will not fill the position, though other factors also have contributed to the appropriateness of this decision," he said in an e-mail.

Saddlemire is confident, however, that students will not suffer as a result of this decision. He has, he said, "engaged the members of the Dean of Students Office in the thought process for assuring that, at the minimum, all present services provided by the Dean of Students Office will be maintained."

To compensate for the elimination of the position, the Division of Students Affairs will take on all of the duties usually covered by the Dean of Students.

"A careful consideration of the skills and levels of expertise within the current Student Affairs staff determined that the roles and responsibilities of the position can be covered through a reorganizations process," Saddlemire said. "Our division is blessed with a very strong staff whose combined skills and dedication to putting students first will effectively fill the gap created by the elimination of this position."

"The key campus wide role that has been part of the Dean of Students Office is that of assisting students as they find themselves challenged while navigating their way through UConn," Saddlemire said. "That role of student advocacy will remain and even enhanced through the reorganization process."

Some students, however, are apprehensive about losing a position so closely related to the student body. Kathleen Bradley, a 4th-semester business marketing major, said, "I'm not sure what to think about it. I feel like the students are losing a direct link to someone they could talk to and confide in about problems around campus."

Williams has been working at UConn for the last four years. She resigned at the very end of last semester and will leave at the end of the current semester. "Though I have really enjoyed my time here, I am leaving UConn because I am interested in a different kind of position at a different kind of institution," she said in an e-mail.