Yale Will Reorganize Dean System in Effort to Decentralize University

Yale has approved a plan to reorganize its dean system as a step in the complete decentralization of the university's 12 undergraduate colleges. Under the new system which is similar to Harvard's Allston Burr Senior Tutor plan for the Houses, a separate dean will be appointed for each college.

Approved Last Week

Formally approved last week by a vote of the corporation, the new plan was hailed by college officials as "the most important change at Yale since the introduction of the college system."

Under the new system the central deans' office will only handle unusual disciplinary problems and supervise the deans. Each dean will direct academic counselling, enforcement of rules, and keeping of records for the students in his college. Deans will not necessarily live in the colleges, but will hold regular office hours there.

"Cooperative" Relation

The exact relation of the new deans to the present college masters has not yet been determined, but it will be "a cooperative one," according to Yale officials. The present post of assistant master will be abolished under the new plan, and his duties will be assumed by the dean.

Although it has not yet been announced when the new dean system will go into effect, the earliest possible date would be the beginning of the academic year.