Amanda Crouse
News Editor
On Thursday, Feb. 12, President Anne McCall sent an email to students, staff and faculty explaining the details of the recent staff office reorganizations. The email, titled “College Reorganization Update,” was intended as a follow-up to the Feb. 5 layoff of 22 staff members, which raised uncertainty in the campus community as to how offices like the Advising, Planning and Experiential Learning (APEX) office, Deans office and Student Engagement would be restructured.
McCall stated that the redistribution of duties and position titles was an ongoing process, but noted some changes in leadership positions that had been solidified. Professor Jen Bowen, the dean of curriculum and academic engagement, has assumed the additional role of dean of APEX. Former Assistant Dean of Students, Joe Kirk, is now serving as the interim Dean of Students. Lin Hillis, vice president of people, talent and culture, is also the current interim head of Career and Experiential Learning, Student Engagement which is transitioning alongside the Center for Belonging and Intercultural Dialogue (CBID) into one office under people, talent and culture.
Position responsibilities have also been changed. The department of People, Talent and Culture now oversees matters related to Civil Rights, Title IX and Community Health Promotion, “as these positions already serve our entire community, rather than students only,” McCall said. She added that student-facing offices like Residence Life, Conduct, Campus Safety and the Health & Wellness Center will continue to fall under the jurisdiction of the Dean of Students.
Regarding restructuring of student-facing sectors, McCall said that Student Engagement has become part of the Center for Belonging and Intercultural Dialogue, and Student Success has joined APEX.
McCall promised that new organization charts would be sent out in the future and encouraged readers to reach out to leaders of the reorganized offices with additional questions.
