Interview

New Dean Arrives

May/June 2008 Lisa Furlong
Interview
New Dean Arrives
May/June 2008 Lisa Furlong

TWO MONTHS INTO HIS new job as dean of the College Tom Crady sat down with DAM in early March to talk about his first impressions of Dartmouth, how it compares to lowa's Grinnell College, where he spent the previous 25 years, and what keeps him awake at night.

What strengths do youbring to the job?

"I'm very visible and available. I will always look at the bigger picture when addressing concerns. Academics are No. 1 here. What we do in my office should enable students to achieve their academic goals."

Your first innovation, holdingoffice hours in Collis ratherthan at your desk, is verypopular. Why the change?

"Students told me they are reluctant to walk into Parkhurst, so I thought it made sense to meet them in their own space. I've also been doing walking tours of the residence halls and have had more than 30 meetings with student groups. I'm very grateful for the reception I've had."

What kind of things dostudents want to talkabout?

"The overarching theme is how much they love Dartmouth. Often they weigh in on things we're reviewing like the issues being looked at now by the Committee on Standards and the Social Events Management Procedures Review Committee. The bottom line is that students always want more information, especially about the way decisions are reached."

What do you hear aboutresidential space?

"Students have told me that the D-Plan can make it hard to stay connected. We're looking at that. It's my impression that the office of residential life is doing a very good job. The recent renovations and new dorms are very much appreciated."

How do alcohol-related issues here compare withGrinnell, where reportedviolations are lower?

'Administrators are always concerned about dangerous drinking. We want regulations that are fair, consistent, reasonably applied and easily understood by students. The biggest difference between Grinnell and Dartmouth is that lowa doesn't have a possession-by-consumption law as New Hampshire does."

What are other frontburner issues?

"Gender equity is always an important issue. I've also heard discussions about the socio-economic divide. As the first in my family to attend college I'm probably more attuned to students who are struggling financially."

How many acronyms forcampus organizationshave you had to learn?

"I don't know the number, but I do have a cheat sheet. At Grinnell PEC meant physical education complex; here it means presidential executive committee."

What keeps you awake atnight?

"Student safety issues. There are so many things that can go wrong."

THANK YOU, SIR, MAY I HAVE ANOTHER? After receiving a Dartmouth Film Award on January 25, actor Kevin Bacon partied and took a stab at some pong—with the brothers at the original Animal House, Alpha Delta.