Assistant Dean for Student Life

Working under the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (ODUS), the assistant dean for student life (ADSL) reports to the dean of undergraduate students through the associate dean and to the head of the residential college through the dean of the residential college. The ADSL is the primary staff member within the residential college responsible for supporting and enhancing the undergraduate residential and co-curricular experience of students from all four years residing in or affiliated with that college (800 to 900 undergraduate students).

The ADSL manages crises and emergencies and works to support students of concern. Together with other colleagues, the ADSL encourages the highest standards of good citizenship and respect for others by resolving conflicts, upholding expectations for good conduct, and helping students to understand the value of living in a diverse community. The ADSL oversees the Residential College Adviser (RCA) and Community Living Adviser (CLA) Program within the college; and plans, implements, and supports non-academic educational and social programming. The ADSL supports and represents non-academic priorities and concerns within the college system and shares with other staff members responsibility for the development of student life policies. The ADSL is regularly asked to assist ODUS, the Council of Heads, Office of the Dean of the College, and Office of the Vice President for Campus Life with special projects, assignments, and committee work.

The ADSL is responsible for coordinating efforts to assist the college’s students around health and wellness issues and serves as the liaison between the student, the student’s family, academic deans, and other relevant Campus Life offices. The ADSL works closely with University Health Services (UHS) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) to support students of concern, and refers students to educational and medical resources as appropriate. Where necessary, the ADSL refers students for health-related consultations and follows up with students on recommendations or requirements. The ADSL represents the residential college in family meetings where a student’s wellness is of highest concern and where continued enrollment and/or residency is under review because of health or wellness issues. The ADSL manages on behalf of ODUS health and wellbeing recommendations for continued enrollment or reinstatement and writes all official communications around such decisions. Additionally, the ADSL takes up to six weeks per year of on-call duty in the dean-on-call emergency response system for the entire undergraduate student body, communicating with Public Safety, CPS, relevant hospital staff, ODUS deans, and residential college deans to manage crises involving students from all seven colleges outside of business hours.

The ADSL serves as a member of the Residential College Disciplinary Board (RCDB), which adjudicates lesser behavioral infractions for all undergraduate students. The ADSL prepares for consideration by RCDB all cases that involve members of the ADSL’s own college, and writes and maintains record of official letters communicating RCDB outcomes. The ADSL may also serve as an adviser to students in hearings before the Committee on Discipline, which adjudicates academic and behavioral cases for all students where separation from the university, either temporary or permanent, is a possible outcome. The ADSL may also be a resource to students who are parties in sexual misconduct cases.

Within the residential college, the ADSL coordinates recruiting, interviewing, hiring, evaluation, and (where necessary) termination of between 12 to 15 juniors and seniors who serve as Residential College Advisers (RCAs) and 3 Community Living Advisers (CLAs). Working with the other ADSLs and the associate dean, the ADSL plans and implements training for all RCAs and CLAs. The ADSL supervises and mentors the college’s RCAs and CLAs throughout the school year by holding regular one-on-one and group meetings to discuss administrative concerns, on-call rotation, roommate issues, discipline, crises, and on-going RCA/CLA-initiated educational programming.

Additionally, the ADSL supervises the Residential Life Coordinator (RLC), a professional live-in staff member whose primary focus is supporting and promoting the health, safety and well-being of students in each residential college.

The ADSL reviews all incoming first-year matriculation and housing forms and coordinates all first-year roommate and housing assignments within the college. The ADSL meets with students by appointment and through drop-in hours around all non-academic aspects of college life, referring them to other offices as appropriate.

On a rotating basis, the ADSL also directs the non-academic and co-curricular components of the summer Freshman Scholars Institute for select incoming first-year students and serves as the student life consultant for the Novogratz Bridge Year program.

Essential requirements
The position requires an advanced degree in an appropriate discipline and at least six years of full-time relevant work experience. A strong preference will be given to candidates who have college or university experience supporting student health and wellbeing, crisis management, judicial affairs and/or residential life staff supervision and program design. Experience with student activities and event planning is also helpful. Candidates should also have an understanding of and appreciation for the aims of a liberal arts education; a sensitivity to the needs and concerns of students from diverse backgrounds and a commitment to fostering equitable and inclusive environments; excellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills; strong interpersonal skills as a well as a demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team and to interact effectively with students, faculty, and other administrators; the ability to respond effectively in emergency situations; the ability to communicate well orally and in writing; and a willingness to live proximate to campus and be available to work some nights and weekends.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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