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NEWS
| April 23
Administration
Lane named dean of students
The former director of student
development assumes role filled by Kent Gardner before his promotion
to vice president 2 years ago.
By Brad
Rollins
Contributor to The Shorthorn
In a significant restructuring of student
affairs hierarchy, Austin Lane has been named dean of students.
The office was previously occupied by Kent Gardner, who said he
agreed to remain temporarily as dean after being promoted to vice
president of student affairs almost two years ago.
This week’s official announcement completes a quiet weeks-long
transition to the new arrangement. Dr. Lane, formerly director of
student development and assistant dean, assumed the dean post’s
duties April 1, and directors of five departments were notified
Friday to begin reporting to him.
“When I moved over here [to Davis Hall], I felt that I started
to lose direct contact with students,” Dr. Gardner said. “There
needs to be someone to do that.”
In his new administrative capacity, Lane said he will pursue an
aggressive program to serve students better by being more accessible
and responsive to the university problems they encounter.
“My job is to make sure students’ needs are met,”
he said. “My biggest responsibility is to have an ear to the
ground in terms of students and make sure their needs are addressed.”
Speaking on Tuesday, Lane said much of his attention is now focused
on the creation of an ombudsman service, a program to guide students
through the myriad of institutional procedures and processes for
resolving conflicts. Helping students navigate campus bureaucracy
is a major component of retaining enrollment, he said. He said he
hopes to have the service established by the fall semester.
“It’s basically a problem-solving service,” Lane
said. “This will allow students to come to us with any questions
and have them answered in one place.”
As assistant dean, Lane handled routine disciplinary matters, and
Gardner oversaw more serious charges, including those that involved
criminal violations. The new dean will continue to handle student
disciplinary cases until a disciplinary coordinator is hired, Gardner
said.
Lane will move into the University Center lower level office Gardner
occupied before he moved to Davis Hall. Gardner said former university
President Robert Witt asked him to continue as dean of students
for a year when he was promoted to vice president.
“It’s now almost two,” he said.
One of the directors affected by the changes, Attorney for the Students
Susan McKee, said she had faith in her new boss’ abilities.
“It’s a big job,” she said. “And it’s a
job where none of the responsibilities can be taken lightly. I absolutely
think he’ll do great.”
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Austin Lane is the newly appointed
dean of students. He said he will ensure students’
needs are met.
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