Wishes for student affairs positions now

Students and the rest of campus will have their chance this week to voice opinions on qualities they want in a new vice chancellor for student affairs.

The position oversees 360 University employees, more than 1,200 student staff members and a budget of more than $80 million. Student leaders said the position is their voice to high-level administrators in important talks.

With such a broad list of responsibilities, the role of vice chancellor might seem unclear. And the search — as well as whoever fills the position next — could modify the office’s function.

“It is an exceedingly complex and challenging role,” said Margaret Jablonski, the current vice chancellor. Jablonski announced in the spring that she will step down from the position, effective July 1.

But according to campus leaders, there are certain fundamental tenets of the job that can be pinned down.

“The vice chancellor oversees the 12 units within the University that have a huge impact on student life,” said Student Body President Jasmin Jones.

The departments led by the vice chancellor’s office include the Campus Y, the Dean of Students Office and the Department of Housing and Residential Education.

The search is internal, considering only current UNC employees.

The University is holding three town hall meetings intended to survey the attitudes of the community about which qualities it wants to see in the new administrator.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the vice chancellor’s role is to represent the student body to upper levels of administration.

Jablonski has often provided a contact point between student government and administrators.

An awareness of the wishes of the student body is also important for anybody considered for the job, said Student Body Vice President David Bevevino.

“The vice chancellor has to be cognizant of what’s going on in student life very, very broadly,” Bevevino said.

“Any person that comes into the position will have to be in touch with Carolina students. That will never change.”

The search committee is seeking someone who also has exceptional leadership ability, said committee chairwoman Sarah Michalak, a professor of information and library science.

“We are looking for a person who can create a vision statement for student affairs and articulate that in a moving way,” she said.

Michalak said the committee wants to obtain a broad sample of ideas through these meetings.

“We want to hear any issues or ideas that people have about what would make the ideal candidate,” Michalak said.

She added that community input is an important part of the job.

“The new vice chancellor had better be a fantastic listener,” she said.



Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.