Spate of Tutors To Depart Lowell at End of Semester

A search is underway in Lowell House to fill eight positions left by tutors who plan to depart at the end of the semester, according to Faculty Dean David I. Laibson ’88.

A majority of the eight tutors — who comprise roughly 40 percent of the total in the House — are leaving because they will be completing their graduate degree programs.

In a Tuesday interview, Laibson described the “multi-stage” hiring process that the House is currently undertaking.

The house staff has already completed the initial application stage, during which they reviewed candidate applications. Next steps include interviews with House leadership and more informal meetings with students, allowing for them to interact “organically” with candidates, according to Laibson.

Laibson called the tutor position in Lowell House a “wonderful” role.

“I think people don't realize how great it is because it sounds kind of crazy when you're looking in from the outside,” he said. “It is truly a wonderful life, however strange it might first seem.”

Lowell House Committee Chair Ross D. Simmons ’21, who is participating in the informal meetings with prospective tutors, said he is looking for candidates who will be “present” and involved in student life.

“They should come to house events, they should eat dinner with students frequently, they should be present in the house, and be good advisors,” he said.

Other houses are also in the hunt for new tutors, and all plan to extend offers by March 26, according to College spokesperson Rachael Dane.

Charlie S. Tyson, a departing tutor and Chair of Fellowships for Lowell House, said he believes the House will remain “warm” and “robust,” despite the departure of many seasoned tutors. He also said the turnover in tutors is comparable with the turnover among undergraduates, when each sophomore class replaces the House’s graduating seniors.

“It's always sad when you know one of your friends moves away, but the same could be said of the entire flock of seniors who graduate each year,” Tyson said. “Although the tutors do a lot to nourish the house community, look after students, and take an interest in them, what makes Lowell special is not the tutors, it’s the students.”

Hannah R. Shaffer, who will assume the position of Chair of Fellowships following Tyson’s departure, said she looks forward to welcoming the new class of tutors.

“I think new tutors often have a lot of spirit and drive, and they want to prove themselves,” Schaffer said. “I think mixing it up sometimes can be good. It kind of depends on how we all jive next year. I'm optimistic.”

Shaffer also said she believes some Lowell tutors may have stuck around for an extra year to assist with the recent faculty dean transition. In August 2019, Laibson and Co-Faculty Dean Nina Zipser replaced former Faculty Deans Diana L. Eck and Dorothy A. Austin, who had served in their positions for two decades.

Simmons said he believes the student-centric focus of the tutor hiring process lends itself to finding capable tutors to fill the vacancies.

“The House administration are trying to solicit as much student input as possible, which is important with hiring new tutors, because we're the ones they will interact with,” he said. “With so many tutors leaving — especially so many good tutors leaving — there will be many large shoes to fill. But I trust David and Nina to hire good people.”

—Staff writer Sydnie M. Cobb can be reached at sydnie.cobb@thecrimson.com. Follow her on Twitter @cobbsydnie.

—Staff writer Declan J. Knieriem can be reached at declan.knieriem@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DeclanKnieriem.