POSITION DESCRIPTION
JOB
TITLE: Associate
Dean of Students for Residence Life
DEPARTMENT: Division of
Student Life
IMMEDIATE
SUPERVISOR: Dean of Students
SUPERVISOR
REPORTS TO: President
The Associate Dean of Students provides collaborative leadership with the Dean of Students to oversee the broad array of programs and services that support the educational, social, cultural and developmental needs of the student body and the Division of Student Life. The Associate Dean’s specific responsibilities are to share management of the day-to-day operation of the Division with the Dean of Students and provide direct leadership and supervision to the Department of Residence Life, including the administration of student conduct.
The Associate Dean will:
A. Provide leadership within the Division of Student Life and the College regarding student life issues. Specifically, the Associate Dean:
1. Works
closely with other members of the Student Life Division in fulfilling the
2. Serves on various campus-wide committees for planning and improving student life as deemed appropriate by the Dean of Students.
3. Develops and nurtures strong relationships with academic departments in order to enhance the availability of resources that support students.
4. Ensures that diversity training programs for the Student Life staff, Resident Advisors, Orientation Leaders and Student Resource Officers that heighten awareness of the needs and concerns of underrepresented community members.
5. Works with various offices beyond the Division of Student Life to enhance awareness of the Division’s work in supporting students in all facets of their community life.
B. Provide direct supervision for Residence Life and Student Conduct. Specifically the Associate Dean will:
1. Supervise the Residence Life Coordinator (RLC).
2. Ensure that policies and practices pertaining to student housing contribute to the aims of the College, both in their character and in the standards of operational quality they reflect. Maintain an on-going assessment of the degree to which Residential Life goals and objectives are being realized and, when appropriate, make recommendations for program improvement and revision to the Dean of Students.
3. Oversee and implement the Community Standards model and related training and programming in the residence halls.
4. Maintain accurate housing statistics and housing information.
5. Assist the Dean of Students in the annual review of student policy and rules/regulations.
6.
Develop, implement and maintain the college’s student
conduct system, including coordination with student-led
7. Coordinate appropriate disciplinary follow-up for student violations of the Student Conduct Code.
8. Serve as an administrative hearing officer.
9. Ensure the development and implementation of a comprehensive resident assistant (RA) selection, evaluation and training program.
10. Serve as a liaison between students and Physical Plant, and students and Dining Services.
11. Engage in a continuous assessment of residential space in meeting the residential philosophy of the College and the established goals of the Residential Life Office (social space, student rooms, study areas, etc.).
12. As part of the annual budget process, identify projects within the residential system that require attention beyond routine maintenance (major repairs, etc.) and recommend equipment and furniture purchases needed in the residence halls to the Dean of Students.
13. Prepare an annual year-end report for the Dean of Students which outlines program, staffing, budgetary needs and achievements for the year.
C. The Associate Dean of Students works closely with:
1. The Director of Campus Safety and Security to ensure minimum safety provisions are being observed throughout the residence system both when College is in session and during vacation periods.
2. The Food Service General Manager concerning requests for meal plan exemptions and special dining needs.
3. Systems operators and network technicians to update and maintain accurate information regarding housing assignments.
4. The Director of Conferences to coordinate transition to summer housing.
5. The Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for concerns regarding residence hall maintenance and upkeep.
D. Assist the Dean of Students as appropriate. Specifically, the Associate Dean will:
1. Direct the Division of Student Life in the absence of the Dean of Students.
2. Serve as an administrative hearing officer.
3. Share in the facilitation of Student Life Division meetings.
4. Assist with the orientation of new staff within the division of Student Life.
5. Represent the Dean of Students as needed in all facets of College life.
6. Offer assistance and support to other members of the Division of Student Life as needed.
7. Serve as a member of the on-call staff.
8. Perform other duties as assigned.
Familiarity with and demonstrated commitment to the mission and environment of a small, residential liberal arts college. Sensitivity to student needs and interests. Commitment to a broad definition of diversity. Knowledge and/or experience in residence life and judicial affairs. Demonstrated ability in coordinating programs with other college departments, assessment of programs and the environment, assisting in institutional retention efforts and the cultivation of relationships with students, faculty, staff and alumnae. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, computer literacy, ability to handle extremely sensitive and confidential matters discreetly, ability to work independently with little supervision, knowledge of budget preparation and thorough knowledge of Wells College policies and procedures.
Qualifications: Master’s degree in higher education administration, student personnel services or a related field. Five years of experience and demonstrated effectiveness in Student Affairs administration or a combination of education and experience that demonstrates comparable abilities. Three years experience and demonstrated effectiveness in supervising professional and student staff. Expertise and demonstrated commitment to intercultural training, cross-cultural conflict resolution, program design, and implementation. A broad knowledge of student development theory, issues, and trends in the field. A working knowledge of best practices in student affairs. Demonstrated ability in assessment of student services and use of assessment results to make changes that improve the delivery of services and programs for students. Excellent oral and written communication skills.