College Continues Search for New Associate Dean of Students

The College hopes to name a new associate dean of students by the spring and fill a final vacancy in the senior ranks of the Office of Student Life.

The next associate dean of students will be tasked with managing all aspects of residential life for the over 5,000 upperclassmen in the College. The associate dean will also develop the training program for the 350 tutors that live in the upperclassman Houses and interface with several other University departments.

Additionally, the associate dean of students oversees the summer residential program, supports House Renewal planning, and serves as a member of several committees of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Dean of Students Katherine G. O’Dair wrote that the job posting for the associate dean of students has been “disseminated widely” and that students will participate in the search process. O’Dair and Sheila C. Thimba, the College’s dean for administration and finance, will co-chair the search committee.

David R. Friedrich stepped down as the associate dean of students this summer. By George J Lok

David R. Friedrich, the former associate dean of students, departed the role in July for MIT. Friedrich played a significant role preparing to implement the College’s policies targeting unrecognized single gender social organizations. Following the announcement of the sanctions, he co-moderated a town hall event at which he faced a harsh round of questioning from students about the proposed penalties.

He frequently met with undergraduate leaders of final clubs and Greek organizations, and served as a staff member to the faculty committee that ultimately recommended banning single-gender social groups altogether, among other options.

The OSL has faced significant turnover in recent years as administrators have, sometimes abruptly, left senior posts within the College’s primary office overseeing residential life, student organizations, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

O’Dair arrived in August 2016 to take the helm of the OSL, and the office brought on another administrator overseeing campus clubs in June 2016. The College also appointed a new associate dean for diversity and inclusion, who began working at Harvard last week.

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