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Dean’s office suggests department overhaul
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by Jenna Sachs
Wednesday, April 6, 2005
The University of Wisconsin Offices of the Dean of Students proposed a plan to reorganize and promote student services by the end of the spring semester in hopes of creating better assistance.
The plan is “a proposed organization to meet unmet needs drawn from student feedback,” Special Assistant to the Dean Ann Pham said. Included in the proposal are plans to integrate the Multicultural Student Center, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Campus Center, Diversity Education Programs and other groups with similar goals into ODOS student services.
This synergy would not change the issues or needs of the groups, according to Pham, and would serve the greater campus by providing social justice.
Also included in the proposal is more student advising, graduate student service, stronger links to international students and expansion of the McBurney Center, Associate Dean Lori Berquam said.
If the proposal is passed, the nine units currently under ODOS management will be condensed into six and collaboration among the units would make service more efficient, Pham said.
Improved advertising to students, specifically international students and transfer students, is proposed to raise awareness about student groups and services, Berquam said. Pham added that feedback toward the plan has been largely positive so far.
Pham said she hopes the proposal will be a “stimulant for discussion” and wants student feedback to play a critical role in the revision of the ODOS. Past student responses led to the recent proposal, she stated.
“Student input can help shape the end product,” University Communication spokesperson John Lucas said. “We don’t want [students] to feel shut out.”
Dean of Students Luoluo Hong plans to meet in April with several campus governing groups to discuss ideas, according to Pham. She said these include the Faculty Senate, Associate Students of Madison Student Council, University Committee and the Dean of Students Advisory Board.
Facing a decreased budget, the ODOS wants to improve service despite fiscal setbacks, Pham said.
“The goal is to be as efficient as possible given fiscal changes,” Pham said.
No jobs will be cut and staff will be expanded, according to Berquam.
“We hope to make service better with less money,” Berquam said.
Berquam used a parable of two woodchoppers to explain the proposed student service changes. The first woodchopper worked all day long, without taking any breaks to rest or sharpen his axe. The second woodchopper took the time to rest and re-sharpen his axe when needed. In the end, the second woodchopper accumulated more wood, because his chopping was more efficient.
“This is our chance to take time to pause, sharpen our axe and better serve our students,” Berquam said.
A listening and response session is open to all university students and will be held 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tues., April 19, at the Red Gym.
