Admitting the job was not what she expected, Dean of Students Alicia Chavez stepped down two weeks ago.

To be sure, Chavez faced many challenging situations and was the face of the university on many controversial issues. Unfortunately, while the efforts of the dean and her staff were surely sincere, too often their actions belied a philosophy that suggested students need to be protected from themselves.

As the search begins for a new dean, it is imperative the criteria include a commitment to changing this philosophy. The dean of students should prepare students for the not-so-distant future, when there will be no one to complain to when someone or something makes them uncomfortable.

This means a commitment to facilitating and protecting free speech. UW is an institution of higher learning, not an institution of indoctrination. The former is the pursuit of truth in the midst of competing ideas and full debate. The latter leaves students unable to cope and unsure why they believe what they believe.

To accomplish such a fundamental shift in philosophy will be no small task. The problem extends far beyond the dean — the entire office needs a change in attitude (for example, Chavez was only one of eleven people in the dean of students office that signed an ad condemning the Herald for running a controversial advertisement).

The next dean should be a dynamic leader with an avowed commitment to academic freedom. Comfort as a public figure and responsiveness to students are essential on a practical level.
No matter how long it takes (sadly, such individuals are all to rare), the new search committee must not rest until they find the right person with the right priorities for the job.