Announcements/20111025154227

Hey Hampshire! Voting is now OPEN for the Student Representatives on the Dean of Faculty/VPAA Search Committee!

We have seven candidates running for two positions. You have two votes, which cannot be used for the same person twice.

To vote, go to: https://intranet.hampshire.edu/forms/viewForm.php?id=1128

Voting closes Sunday, October 31 at noon.

What is the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) and Dean of Faculty?

The VPAA and Dean of Faculty is the chief academic officer of the college and reports to the President. The Dean is charged with overseeing all aspects of the academic program, and represents the President in the event that he is unavailable.

What is the job of the search committee?

- Working with the President to draft a job description

- Identifying potential candidates from among current and past faculty, alumni of the college, and others with a deep knowledge of Hampshire.

- Reviewing applications, interviewing the most qualified, and selecting 2-4 finalists

- Overseeing and organizing an inclusive interview process

- Advising the President on his choice of the new Dean/VPAA

CANDIDATE STATEMENTS:

Staci Akselrod, F08 -- I am a Div III student who really loves Hampshire College. I've helped to found two clubs and signed for two more. I've served on Theatre Board and worked in various offices around campus, as well as a member of HCEMS. I want to help give back and serve my school by helping to select the new Dean of Faculty. As a seventh semester student, I think I have a good understanding of the academic needs of the college, and of how they interact with every other aspect of life at Hampshire. My experiences here would not have been the same without the incredible support of the faculty I worked with, and I would love to help choose the next person who will support the communities's academic needs.

Asher Dvir-Djerassi, F10 -- This is my second year at Hampshire. I am concentrating in economics and public policy, with a particular interest in Danish welfare, active labor market policies, and education policy. Because of my interests I believe that I am an appropriate candidate in selecting a new Dean of Faculty, as this position concerns the future of Hampshire’s curriculum and education policy. While I applaud philosophical and ideological integrity, I will pay little attention to this when selecting the Dean of Faculty. I will be paying particular attention at the policies, plans, and vision a prospective Dean of Faculty has for Hampshire.

Olivia Ebertz (Cleo), F09 -- To me it is imperative that Hampshire has a VPAA and Dean of Faculty who is well versed in the overarching traditions of our school. It is important that they know their fellow faculty members and are prepared to stand in solidarity with them while representing their collective interests in the most positive and constructive way. Our faculty is our closest and best resource and should be given a fair voice. Thus I believe the person chosen should be well-liked and respected, trusted by their peers, an effective communicator, and maintain transparency. As a third-year student, I have been here long enough to have a good understanding of the collective interests of Hampshire, yet I still have one more year left, meaning I am still very much invested in the near future of the college.

Jake Hawkesworth, F08 --I would like to be a part of this process because I am interested in the relationship between the College's faculty and administration. As this position acts as an intermediary between faculty and administration, the Dean of Faculty plays an important role in representing the faculty body. As a student participant in the CSI faculty meetings and an admissions tour guide, I understand the importance of good representation for all parts of the College. I also understand the role of an 'image' as the starter and owner of the Night Truck, a food truck serving late night food by the dorms. This also has given me some experience with hiring help. I would be fascinated to see how the College treats this process, and I think I could learn from it.

Brittni Hayes, F09 -- I am interested in serving on the Dean of Faculty Search Committee because I feel it is of great importance that the Hampshire community be adequately represented by its administration. I've been actively involved with the college's community through my work as the managing editor of The Climax in addition to signing for the Hampshire College Democrats, but would enjoy the opportunity to gain more broad-based involvement. I feel it's important we find an individual familiar with Hampshire who shares the values of academic experimentation and community involvement in governance.

Mitchell Krieger, F11 -- I'm interested in being on the search committee because I love the Hampshire academic philosophy and want to help further this philosophy by choosing our next Dean of Faculty. My area of concentration is education, so I am interested in school faculty changes and how that effects curriculum, community, and academic life.

Rikki Sabransky, F10 -- My name is Rikki Sabransky and I’m a Division II student studying science education through the medium of art. I believe that we need a Dean of Faculty who can work well with all constituencies across campus, and understands the unique nature of Hampshire. As a student representative, I will support candidates who value academic freedom and interdisciplinarity, and look forward to helping the search process be as inclusive of the community as possible.