A Dean Like No Other
And while Harvard students had grown accustomed to turning to the man with a bow-tie and a flower in his lapel to address their concerns, Lewis and several administrators at other colleges argue that one does not need to be called a "dean of students" to be a dean of students. At other schools, they argue, administrators who hold titles akin to those of Dingman and Herschbach, or even Lewis often fulfill Epps' responsibilities.
"The oddity of Harvard's structure is Dean Epps' title hasn't really fit for a very long time," says Dean of Freshmen Elizabeth Studley Nathans. "At any other college, Dean Lewis would be called dean of students. In a very real sense, Harvard has had two deans of students for a very long time."
At Stanford University, Dean of Students Marc Wais says the administrative structure there consists of eight assistant deans each with different responsibilities. Each assistant dean reports directly to Wais, who then reports to the university's vice provost, who serves as the chief student affairs officer.
Within each dormitory, Wais says "resident fellows" function very much like Harvard's House masters and "head advising associates" serve in positions similar to senior tutors. In addition, four or five "resident deans" are divided among the different dormitories, to provide additional support for the students.
A structure similar to the administration Lewis wants to create has been already been in operation in New Haven, according to Betty Trachtenberg, Yale's dean of student affairs. Five associate deans, including Trachtenberg, oversee specific parts of the college such as academic affairs, academic resources, administrative policy and undergraduate education.
"Students go to the specific dean responsible for their area of concern," Trachtenberg says, "or they can go to the senior tutor of their residential college."
Both Wais and Trachtenberg say student concerns have been adequately addressed under each of their administrative structures. Wais argues that universities should take the opportunity to evaluate their administrative structure when a key figure retires or resigns.
"We always look to see if administrative changes can improve things for students," Wais says. "It's appropriate and fair to periodically look at the system and see if this is the best way to use our limited resources."
Still, several administrators argue that a new structure cannot be judged until the position is filled. Before then, the benefits of a new office and the elimination of an old one cannot be predicted.
"I think over time the position they're looking for now will evolve," Nathans says. "The position will be shaped by the personality of the person who comes in. I see the [job] description as just a beginning spot."
Bruzelius says the unique way with which Epps filled his role might be one reason the College has been forced to revamp the structure of University Hall.
"Dean Epps has certainly been an incredible asset, and it's possibly in despair over being able to replace him that the administration went to his new structure," she says.