Shollenberger Urges Student Affairs Reforms

Kevin Shollenberger, who assumed the position of interim dean of student affairs over the summer, has kicked into full gear with the start of classes planning to enhance the Division of Student Affairs’ existing programs and launch others.

After a 16-year tenure at Columbia, former Dean of Student Affairs Costantino Colombo announced in July that he had accepted a position as dean of student life at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Shollenberger was previously senior associate dean of student affairs and has worked at Columbia for nine years.

“One of the challenges of my new role is balancing my new administrative duties while still remaining accessible to students,” Shollenberger said. “I am committed to continuing to be involved with student events and programs and being transparent regarding policies and procedures that affect student life.”

Proposed enhancements of existing Student Affairs programs include increasing the number of student participants in pre-orientation programs such as Columbia Urban Experience and in the Gateway Residential Initiative, which houses School of Engineering and Applied Sciences freshmen on the same floor in the Living-Learning Center.

The Division of Student Affairs also encompasses the Office of Multicultural Affairs, which is in its fifth year and coordinates numerous programs such as Leadership, Evolution, and Development (LEAD) and the Alternative Spring Break. Shollenberger said that a goal of his is to assist the continued development of OMA’s leadership and spring break programs.

Based on the recommendations of a student committee created last spring, the dean’s discipline process—the system used to assess students accused of violating University policies—is currently being reviewed with the goal of greater transparency.

Shollenberger observed that many students are unfamiliar with the disciplinary procedures until they find themselves in trouble. According to George Krebs, CC ’09 and Columbia College student council president, a student advocacy council will be established to help students understanding their rights and obligations under University policy.

Officials also hope to create a centralized office for student advising, and Shollenberger said he would help to establish a smoother system of cooperation between general advisers and departmental advisers.

In an e-mail sent to students on Sept. 1, Shollenberger wrote that he accepted the position with enthusiasm because he “firmly believe[s] in the importance of the role the Division of Student Affairs plays in the overall quality of the undergraduate experience at Columbia.”

Various student councils and governing boards have expressed confidence in Shollenberger’s abilities. Samantha John, SEAS ’09 and president of the Activities Board at Columbia, said Shollenberger has always been friendly and accessible, and Krebs said he brings a “breath of fresh air” to the Student Affairs office.

“He’s not somebody who tiptoes around issues or beats around the bush,” Krebs said. “He’s very straightforward, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

david.xia@columbiaspectator.com