On Friday the dean of students search-and-screen committee officially closed the application process — the resume of UW’s next dean is sitting in Bascom Hall. As the committee begins to narrow down the list of candidates, it would behoove them to remember the purpose of the dean.

In a recent interview with the Herald editorial board, interim Dean of Students Roger Howard described the dean as an ombudsman. We could not agree more — students need an advocate and access-point in their dealings with the administration.

But such a statement is hardly groundbreaking; an in-depth understanding of exactly what an ombudsman entails is an important prerequisite in finding the right person for the job.

Webster’s defines an ombudsman as “One that investigates reported complaints, reports findings, and helps to achieve equitable settlements.” This definition speaks to the three essential characteristics required of the next dean, and by extension, the entire office.

The first is responsiveness. Complaints do not materialize out of thin air — they come from students who are often scared and intimidated. The dean’s office must be accessible, a quality that was lacking under the previous dean.

In order to “achieve equitable settlements,” the dean must also have a healthy respect for academic freedom and due process. Chilling free speech makes debate and eventual settlements inequitable from the start. Ambiguous rules and guidelines for arriving at those settlements are just as dangerous. In both areas the dean’s office has been deficient.

None of this is possible without the third characteristic: management skills. Effectively and efficiently serving as an ombudsman for 40,000 students requires more than empathy and understanding. Setting priorities and goals and achieving is just as important — a reality that escaped the last search-and-screen committee.

A dean of students filling the role of ombudsman is, in theory, an important asset to students’ academic careers. The committee should ensure theory becomes reality.

Due to a conflict of interest Alexander Conant was not involved in the discussion regarding this editorial and will not take part in any future discussions regarding the search for a new dean of students.