Class Deans

Class Deans for 2012-2013

First-Year Class Dean.................................................................................Shalom Staub

Sophomore Class Dean...............................................................................Damon Yarnell

Junior Class Dean.......................................................................................Damon Yarnell

Senior Class Dean........................................................................................Shirley King  

At Dickinson College, Class Deans support our faculty-based advising system.  As coordinators for Dickinson's advising services, the Class Deans are available as an additional resource for students and their faculty advisors.

Faculty advisors typically monitor the overall academic performance of students, which includes contacting their advisees who have received "U" grades at mid-term.  At the request of the Academic Standards committee, the appropriate Class Dean sends letters to students whose academic performance is unsatisfactory at Roll Call and/or the end of the term.  Faculty advisors receive copies of these letters and are encouraged to meet individually with their advisees to review the academic situation.  The Associate Provost for First-Year Programs coordinates the Early Alert system for first-year students during the third and fourth weeks of the fall term.

Class Deans are also available to consult with students regarding a petition to the Academic Standards Committee.

Leave of Absence

With the recent change in our policy for requesting and granting a Leave of Absence -- please note that students should now contact Associate Dean of Students, Tim Poirier to discuss requesting a Leave of Absence for campus for one or two semesters from the College.

Voluntary Withdrawal

All students who are considering transferring and/or withdrawing from Dickinson should be referred to the Dean of Advising for the exit interview and for completing College Official transfer forms.  

Faculty

Supporting the relationship between faculty advisor and student advisee is the primary role and focus of the Advising Office.  Additionally, calls from parents may be referred to the Advising Office or appropriate Class Dean.  At the request of a faculty advisor, Class Deans are available to sign forms on behalf of the advisor in their absence or unavailability to meet with their advisees.

Faculty should not hesitate to contact the appropriate Class Dean (or the Dean of Advising) with questions or concerns about students in their classroom or their advisees.

Class Deans do not provide “excused absences” for students – only the professor of the course can excuse an absence.  However, when the Advising Office receives information about a health (or family) emergency or other issues that may prevent a student from performing adequately in their academic work, the Class Dean will notify the advisor and appropriate course instructors.  Class Deans are also available to help facilitate the communication process for students who have documentation to support an Incomplete for a course. 

Peer Advisors

In addition to the Class Deans, the Office of Academic Advising has carefully trained Peer Advisors to supplement—and in no way replace—the faculty-student advising relationship.

Peer Advisors assist students so they can make informed decisions, locate appropriate information and resources related to academic programs, and prepare students for meetings with faculty advisors.  Peer Advisors help students find options available to them so the faculty advisors can help them make decisions on academic goals.

Peer Advisors can also provide technical assistance for online course selection and adjustment to help students understand Banner self-service and how to search for and sign up for courses by Attribute.  Peer Advisors also walk students through completing and reading a Degree Audit to make them aware of their progression through major and graduation requirements.