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As
search committee fails,
Kisirwani named acting dean II
By Raya Abdel Baki---
Since the departure of Dean Kevlin eight months ago, the university
has been in search of a suitable candidate for the position
of Dean of Students. For that purpose, a search committee consisting
of various administrative personnel, faculty members and student
members of the University Student Faculty Committee (USFC) was
employed . The committee advertised the vacant position, then
interviewed the candidates. According to Provost Heath, members
of the committee fully agreed on what they expected in a candidate:
professionalism, some degree of connection with AUB or some
international experience, a background in student affairs, leadership,
and above all the willingness to commit to a long term. The
search committee was active during June and July, interviewing
the various applicants, and short-listing the serious ones.
However, their efforts were futile, despite the fact that they
had several candidates both from the region and from abroad.
Such was the case with Tim Barnett who had been a candidate
for the position. Barnett was the only candidate to give a presentation
in June to students concerning his past achievements and future
goals. Provost Peter Heath explained that while the internal
candidates had the advantage of being familiar with the AUB
society, they lacked the student affairs experience. He stressed
that the committee wanted someone who had "climbed the ladder
of student affairs". On the other hand, the external candidates
were qualified in that respect, but had no practical experience
working in the Middle East, and were more of a risk because
they may not adjust to a long-term commitment. In spite of the
drawbacks, there were two candidates deemed qualified. According
to the Provost, one of the candidates came from abroad, and
although he fit the student affairs profile, the committee was
hesitant to employ him due to the commitment issue. The other
candidate, though well aquatinted with AUB, did not have any
experience in student affairs. The caution displayed by the
committee in choosing an applicant came as the result of past
experiences, making the committee more likely to wait for the
most suitable candidate, rather then make a hasty decision.
The Provost stressed the importance of implementing a more professional
system within Student Affairs, which would involve specific
decisions within the office. The Provost spoke of assigning
a director of student residency, as well as a director of the
job placement program to enhance the efficiency of these two
divisions. The university will now form a new search committee,
once more advertising the vacant position and interviewing the
new candidates. In the meantime, the administration has appointed
a new Acting Dean of students to fill Dr. Nasr's position. Dr.
Maroun Kisirwani has been with the university since 1972, as
an associate professor of political science and public administration
until his early retirement last year. He has been appointed
Acting Dean of Students for at least one year, during which
he hopes to aid in the development of Student Affairs. AUB expects
to have assigned a new Dean of Students by next spring at the
latest. However, this will not hinder the progress of the Office
of Student Affairs assured Dr. Nizammedine, Assistant Dean of
Students, who maintains that the main drawback of not having
a committed Dean is the inability to plan for future policies,
adding that his presence is mostly a matter of "leadership".
Dr. Kisirwani, in turn, assured the student body that the office
of Student Affairs will continue to work towards the general
good of the students. |
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