Keep Calm and Call the Dean of Students: A Guide to Understanding the Many Facets of the Dean of Students Role

The role of Dean of Students is pivotal: in students’ lives; for their institutions as a conduit to senior administration about issues of concern to students; as a figure who can coordinate disparate campus constituencies — from academic affairs and athletics to campus safety and relationships with parents and alums; and as a crisis manager.

What preparation, skills, dispositions, and knowledge do DOSs need to be effective in their role; and, indeed, what areas and range of activities genera...