Organizations on campus have been making new adjustments as the search for a new dean of students within the Office of Greek Life and Experiential Learning continues.

After last semester’s departure of former Dean of Students Joseph Oravecz, the Student Association and the Interfraternity Council are under new advisement as the Division of Student Affairs explores a replacement for the dean position.

‘It’s been an easy transition. It wasn’t that difficult,’ said Josh McIntosh, associate director for administration and assessment in OGLEL and the current adviser of IFC.

OGLEL’s responsibilities were already divided prior to Oravecz’s resignation from office, so the changes within the department simply increased work responsibilities of some directors, McIntosh said.

As an adviser for IFC, McIntosh said he has focused on improving the council without making many big changes.

‘We haven’t had much of a problem,’ said Matt Goodman, vice president for communications in IFC and a senior newspaper major. ‘Josh has done exceptional work. We’re a step ahead.’

McIntosh’s history with the IFC has been helpful in shifting the direction of the council.

‘Josh will take care of us until next semester,’ Goodman said. ‘He’s been there before.’

Along with McIntosh’s role in IFC, Don Sawyer, the associate director for diversity initiatives, and Laurel Reed, associate director for leadership programs, have also taken on extra leadership roles within the department. As current faculty advisers for SA, they must help guide the association through new programming and responsibilities this semester.

The shift in administrative positions caused some initial chaos within SA as the association had to accommodate the increase in advisers.

‘It’s confusing,’ said Maggie Misztal, comptroller of SA. ‘Sometimes we’re not sure who to go for things.’

Misztal said that the confusion mostly existed throughout this past summer, shortly after Oravecz left office.

‘It’s easier with one person,’ Misztal said. ‘(With more advisers) the communication lapses a bit.’

Now that SA has had the summer to adjust to the changes in advisement, programming directions have been running smoothly.

‘Since we got back, (SA) has been going well,’ Misztal said.

Although there has not been a formal announcement for a new dean of students, OGLEL is optimistic that there will soon be a new person in charge.

‘They should find a replacement in three to four weeks,’ Goodman said.

But a new dean in the department may bring some new challenges and different perspectives to OGLEL.

‘Every time you change an adviser, it’s a different work style,’ Misztal said. ‘Since the new person will probably be completely new, he won’t have any clue of what’s going on. It will be a little difficult.’

Published on September 7, 2004 at 12:00 pm