Our Dean, Dr. Dolores Straker, has decided to undergo review as she has expressed her interest in remaining the Raymond Walter’s College Dean for another term. Dean Straker has an opportunity to present her thoughts regarding how the college is doing each quarter at the dean’s forum, as well as other venues such as the monthly full faculty meetings. In a situation where a dean decides he or she would like to stay on for another term, the Dean is required to go through a process called a penultimate review. One important part of this process involves review by a committee composed of several faculty members with one non-voting student member. This committee will survey the faculty, while the Provost will provide input obtained from the staff for the committee to consider. The student voice is essentially represented by the student on the committee.
As that student, with unanimous support from the committee, I am hopeful that you will help me to provide as much input from students as possible. In order to achieve this, I would like to encourage all students to express their views in whatever manner is most convenient. This can be accomplished by stopping by the Student Government Office and chatting with me, sending me an email or submitting a letter to the committee. I am willing to listen to each and every student, either in person, by phone or e-mail, or in writing and will protect the identity of any student who wishes to remain anonymous. I would, however, encourage you to provide any information that you feel strongly about in the form of a signed letter.
All input is welcome, as it will better help represent the student population. Things to consider when evaluating the Dean may include the following: What do I know about the Dean’s responsibilities? What do I expect of the Dean? How is the current Dean living up to those expectations? On what occasions have I had a chance to interact with the Dean? Why did I or did I not take advantage of those opportunities? Overall how confident do I feel about my Dean’s ability to lead our college?
In general, I am confident that the committee would welcome signed letters from all of the RWC community, including students, staff, and faculty alike.
Letters to the committee, pertaining to the quality of leadership provided by Dean Straker in accomplishing the goals and objectives for the college, can be addressed to the Decanal Review Committee and dropped off at the Student Government office located on the second floor of Muntz near 265. I can be contacted via email at and voicemail at the Student Government office 513-745-5738.