Search begins for OSCR director

After more than a year of interim leadership, the University's internal disciplinary office is looking for a new director.

A committee met for the first time this week to begin a national search for a new administrator to oversee the Office of Student Conflict Resolution.

Since the presentation of internal and external reviews of the University's Code of Student Conduct last February to the University Board of Regents, the staff and advisers of OSCR have been working to reorganize the office without a permanent director to guide the process.

OSCR Director's Search Committee Chair Kerin Borland said that during the last past few months, the reviews have allowed OSCR to sharpen its focus.

"Now it needs a leader to make it happen and move the unit forward," Borland said.

The Code is used by the University to create a scholarly environment and set community values. The University can discipline students under the Code for a number of violations, including misusing alcohol and other drugs, tampering with University property or sexually or physically harming another person. Sanctions can range from educational projects to expulsion.

Although two people have served as interim OSCR directors since Mary Lou Antieau vacated the position in September 1998, the current search is the first "full-fledged" effort, Borland said.

Silva Goncalves currently heads OSCR on an interim basis, and Rackham student Sean Esteban McCabe served as interim OSCR director until August.

In addition to word of mouth and postings in the University Record serving as on-campus advertising, a notice was placed in the Oct. 22 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education to help expand the search nationally.

"Given the fact that this is the University of Michigan, we want to find the most qualified individual, whether that's someone familiar with University of Michigan or an expert in their field," Borland said.

Because the University community is interested in the selection of the next director, the eight-member search committee - which includes University Housing and Legal Counsel representatives and one student - encompasses "a full campus voice," Borland said.

The committee is scheduled to meet weekly to determine what qualities it desires in a director and then consider applicants and identify a finalist by February.

LSA senior Abe Rafi, who serves as chair of the Students Rights Commission for the Michigan Student Assembly, said determining what characteristics a director should have is a decision the search committee will have to make. Rafi said he will be looking for a candidate who demonstrates concern for students rights in Code disciplinary processes.

Goncalves, who has served as interim director since August, said the future director must approach the position wanting to provide not only a disciplinary, but also an educational atmosphere for students. "We are not a replication of the criminal justice process," Goncalves said.

Director of Career Planning and Placement Simone Himbeault Taylor, who chaired the Code Implementation Review Committee, said many steps were taken this summer to prepare for the suggested changes. Taylor said one recommendation the review committee made was to decrease the legal nature of the University's internal disciplinary process.

To combat the problem, Taylor said, additional positions were necessary to make the experience educational.

The office "takes a few people to run it efficiently, but efficient isn't the same as effective," Taylor said.

"A learning opportunity requires monitoring and debriefing," she added.

Taylor said Provost Nancy Cantor committed financial support to acquire the additional staff members.

While a data manager position was put into place in October, Taylor said other additions will not be made until the director's position is filled.

"There will be a hold on additional hiring so that he or she has the opportunity to build a team once they get here," Taylor said.

Goncalves said although OSCR is going through a transitional period right now, he is determined to continue his focus on students.

"They need help and I have the privilege of listening to them and assisting them through the experience," he said.

11-05-99