Opinion

Chime in, students

The dean of students position has been filled on an interim basis since former Dean of Students Luoluo Hong left the University of Wisconsin on a sour note in June 2005. Things will change this semester, however, when Chancellor John Wiley and Provost Patrick Farrell select a permanent replacement.

The Offices of the Dean of Students is charged with keeping students' experiences at UW positive through programs such as tutoring services, diversity education and student advocacy. Ultimately, the dean of students is the student body's representative in upper administration, and the role is critical in making the campus a welcoming place.

In December, a search and screen committee released a short list of three candidates to fill the position. Included are Interim Dean of Students Lori Berquam, who has filled the position for about a year and a half; Timothy Gordon, the associate dean of student services and registration in the School of Continuing Studies at Northwestern University; and Brian Rose, the associate vice president for student affairs at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

The three candidates will visit Madison over the next two weeks, and each will participate in a question and answer session with students. The sessions will begin at 4:15 p.m. at the Red Gym on the following dates:

• Today, Jan. 25 — Timothy Gordon
• Feb. 1 — Lori Berquam
• Feb. 5 — Brian Rose

We strongly encourage UW students to participate — the administration says it will take into account student opinion and feedback from the sessions when choosing the new dean.

The choice is by no means cut and dry, so come meet the candidates and bring your questions and concerns. Besides, of any position in the UW administration, the dean of students needs student input most.