Emerson College opened a job search March 5  for a new director of the office of housing and residence life. David Haden is currently both the OHRL director and associate dean of students; when the new post is filled, he will only retain the associate dean position, according to Ronald Ludman, the dean of students. 

Haden said he has held both positions since 2005. Ludman said the hiring of a new OHRL director will allow Haden to concentrate on supporting the Office of the Dean of Students.

“In many ways, Haden is straddling both of those positions and hasn’t been fully able to realize the associate dean responsibilities, and offer me the support that will ultimately maximize our ability to support students,” said Ludman. “It doesn’t allow him to focus on the larger issues that the dean of students office handles.”

According to the job posting on the school’s website, the OHRL director is expected to be responsible for activities in the residence halls, overseeing the housing selection and room assignments, and managing the evaluation forms for all members of the department.

Haden told the Beacon in an email he does not mind the change.

“I look forward to taking on some new responsibilities while continuing to have a leadership role with the Offices of Housing and Residence Life and Student Conduct whose student and professional staff members, missions, and efforts mean a great deal to me,” he wrote. 

The idea of splitting this position came about in January of this year, Ludman said, and was not sparked by any specific event.

He said Haden, as associate dean, will help him collaborate with other divisions like the Emerson College Police Department, the Center for Health and Wellness, and the Emerson College Counseling and Psychological Services.

“Once [the new director of OHRL] position is filled, that will free Haden up to provide leadership in the dean of students office, to assist me with student life,” said Ludman. “He will continue to provide leadership and supervision for housing and student conduct.”

The dean of students office is in charge of overseeing the Division of Student Affairs, which includes Career Services, Greek Life, Center for Spiritual Life, GLBTQ Student Life, and other programs, according to Emerson’s website.  

The new director will report to Haden, said Ludman. He said there has not been a search committee assembled yet, but the school hopes to hire someone by the end of the spring semester.