Class Deans

Class Deans for 2011-2012

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 Assistant Provost for First-Year Programs coordinates the Early Alert system for first-year students during the third and fourth weeks of the fall term.

Faculty should not hesitate to contact the appropriate Class Dean (or the Director of Advising or Assistant Provost for First-Year Programs) 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.

The Advising Office serves as the central location for processing Voluntary Leaves of Absences and Voluntary Withdrawals, which typically include an exit interview related to these changes in status.  (Leaves of Absence for medical situations are handled through the Dean of Students Office and the WellnessCenter.)  Faculty should refer their advisees to the appropriate Class Dean if they are considering either of the following:

• Taking a Leave of Absence 
• Withdrawing from the college 

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