College in search of caring, responsible dean
UF's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences needs a lot of help and emotional support this Valentine's Day.
Watching all these other colleges get deans can't be easy, you know, even if you did just get five Fulbright scholars.
Since the College of Journalism and Communications has rekindled an old flame with John Wright - and though CLAS has tried really hard to be happy for its neighbor on Stadium Road - it can't help feeling a little lonely on this day of love.
So, today we help our disheartened friend and put out a request for a new match-up to lead the largest college at UF into a much brighter future.
There's no better time than now for the college to just put itself out there and find somebody to share it's future with in the 21st century.
But, we have to admit - it has definitely been an exhausting process.
The dean scene is not exactly the sexiest thing on a college campus.
And when you've got more than 12,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate students to consider, this decision just isn't as carefree as it used to be. Not to mention that the more than 700 faculty members will probably want to voice their experienced opinions, too.
The things CLAS needs in a dean are also especially demanding - an earned doctorate, an excellent record of academic leadership and administrative experience, and a distinguished record of academic, teaching and research achievements.
These just aren't the kind of things you'll find during a speed date.
We know that Provost Janie Fouke said the new dean should focus on getting to know the college and its strengths and weaknesses, once he or she is chosen, but we feel like any prospective candidate should be aware of all the baggage CLAS brings to the table from the beginning.
This just proves that CLAS knows you can't start off a healthy relationship by withholding the truth - and that the new dean must be equally open and honest.
The ideal prospective dean should take the time to realize that though CLAS has been hurt in the past - specifically by a budget-cutting, Harley-riding bad boy - deep down inside, it has a lot to offer.
It's probably also important for the new dean to realize that, yes, CLAS has had some significant money problems in the past.
But, it has been trying so hard to get rid of that embarrassing debt from a couple of years ago. And there's been some progress. By watching every penny, the college expects to be back in black by next year.
How's that for demonstrated perseverance and stability?
Back in October, Student Body Vice President Vanessa Goodwin, the only student on the 10-member search committee, said a focus on diversity and a desire for friendliness are some of things students are looking for in a new dean.
But CLAS also needs someone who is open to new ideas and realizes that all the students he or she is entrusted with are dependent on good, strong decision-making abilities.
So despite its problems, CLAS would be an excellent place for any university leader to make an impact on a wide range of students at a large college campus.
We have a lot of hope that when the search committee begins interviewing semifinalists later this week, they'll know how to pick the right one.
And perfect dean, we just know you're out there.
