Mackay-Smith is not the only new face in the administration of first-year students. She says new President Neil L. Rudenstine has made it a priority to be involved with the goings on in the Yard and Union dorms.

"Rudenstine has made it so clear that he is interested in student life," Mackay-Smith says. "There has been a slight shift in emphasis, but this is a different time, and they are different people."

Mackay-Smith cites the new president's friendliness towards the first-years on the opening weekend as evidence of their welfare being a priority to him.

This year the march up to Radcliffe Quad for the traditional first-year picnic during Orientation Week was prefaced by small receptions held in the different areas of the Yard. Mackay-Smith says that Rudenstine made the rounds by walking up to students to say hello, even posing for a picture with a student and his beaming parents.

"This sincerity bodes incredibly well for how we wrap up this century and go into the next," says Mackay-Smith. "Learning at college is a distinct act and requires the attention of those fostering it."

Besides being adept at these social functions, Mackay says, Rudenstine is very much interested in the substance of the education of first-years. She says Rudenstine and new Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles have expressed particular concern over the teaching of introductory science courses.

So What About the Search?

Although Mackay-Smith is not on the search committee for a permanent first-year dean, she says she has felt free to advise Jewett, who chairs the committee.

"Dean Jewett has invited repeated comment, both oral and written, from proctors and advisers and students," says Mackay-Smith. "I feel absolutely free to say anything. I have been keeping notes of concerns about advising the new freshman dean will need to address."

Although the search committee met in late spring and summer to evaluate first-year advising and experiences, Jewett says, the search for a new dean has not gotten underway yet. He estimates the search committee will reach a decision by February.

Will the acting dean become the permanent dean?

"I don't know what the job is yet, so I don't know if I'm interested," Mackay-Smith says.

Regardless of that outcome, having Mackay-Smith on board this year seems to be working well.

"From my perspective, Ginger has been wonderful to work with," Jewett says. "It has been a very good start to the year."

And McKay-Smith seems to like it, too.