University offices undergo changes

In the 22 years since its inception, the Office for the Dean of Student Development (ODSD) has expanded in every direction. As the office's ranks swelled to a professional staff of 20 and former Dean for Student Development Robert Sherwood resigned from his post, the University turned to outside review and a self-study for ways to restructure the office.

These studies have resulted in a split between the ODSD and a newly formed Student Programs Office (SPO), the first step in a strategic initiative that will span across the entire department of student affairs.

"The rationale for this decision was that ODSD became too large an office to manage with one person," said Vice President of Student Affairs Patrick Rombalski. "For students, this will mean offices that run more smoothly."

The SPO will run autonomously, providing programming and leadership advisement for student clubs and organizations. The alcohol and drug education program, and the departments of community standards, disability services, off-campus life, and the Women's Resource Center will remain under the umbrella of the ODSD.

"The changes that have been made so far will get us through this year," Rombalski said. "This is the first wave of changes, and at least two more will be coming in the future."

Changes from a division-wide strategic plan could change the mission and approach of the department of student affairs. "At the end of that strategic planning, things could be very different," said Jean Yoder, associate dean and interim director of the Student Programs Office.

The creation of the office Yoder has temporarily taken charge of is the first change in the strategic plan Rombalski described. The autonomous office will focus its energy on developing engaged students and preparing them for leadership in society as a whole. According to the SPO mission statement, the office is committed to providing opportunities for students to integrate the intellectual, social, and spiritual aspects of their collegiate experience.

SPO, Yoder said, will provide advisement for 125 registered student organizations, and supervises late-night programming, Nights on the Heights, the O'Connell House Student Union, the Emerging Leader Program, the Student Leadership Awards, and Senior Week.

For this year at least, the responsibilities of the deans and directors in the SPO will remain virtually unchanged. "Today," Yoder said, "the changes may not affect students. In May, it might be different."

Tangible change does come in the form of Assistant Dean Mark Miceli, who will now oversee late-night programming, and in a new SPO Web site that will act as a hub for all registered student organizations, event planning, and event publicity.

Change is in the air in the ODSD as well. "Our mission is evolving," said Senior Associate Dean for Student Development Paul Chebator. "We hope to become known as a source of information for student life at BC."

Rombalski said he hopes that student affairs will move from being a dispatch center to a think tank. "We want to get away from being crisis managers and become a resource center, a destination where students can come and give feedback," he said.

This mission, Chebator said, is in line with the evolving mission of the ODSD. He referenced the development of resources to help faculty deal with students in distress, a resource guide for LGBTQ students, and a brochure for parents of sophomore students who are considering moving off campus for their junior year.

Chebator takes on the role of senior associate dean after filling the role of interim dean for student development since Sherwood's resignation.

Other changes within the ODSD include the appointment of Sheilah Shaw Horton to the position of dean for student development. Last year, Horton served as an interim associate vice president. This year, she will maintain her role as associate vice president of the ODSD in addition to her responsibilities as dean.

"I will be supervising and overseeing the dean's office," Horton said. "I'll be more directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the office … I'm looking forward to working with the dean's office and advancing its mission."

Horton was selected after a six-month-long national search, Rombalski said. "We didn't find any external candidates who could take on the role of dean," he said. "We were looking for more than skill and talent. [Horton] understands BC's culture well, and has proven her effectiveness. She is able to evaluate a situation and create change."