New faces at Student Life and Leadership

The University and the Office of Student Life and Leadership (SLL) have fought several severe public relations battles in the last month, including the Office of Civil Rights initiating a federal probe of the University's disciplinary policies and national attention relating to the Crosstown Shootout and its aftermath. Despite the negative press, Dr. Scott Chadwick, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, said these events are not the cause of the current personnel redistribution of Luther Smith and Kathleen Simons from the SLL. Instead, Chadwick says he is commencing a realignment process, which will better utilize the strengths of these faculty members.

"It was a convergence of things happening," Chadwick said. "We've started a strategic planning process. We are near the end of the budgeting process for the next fiscal year. The deans have identified the new academic program ideas for the next three years. It's time to start the realignment process." According to an e-mail issued on Friday, Chadwick has made a number of faculty changes.  

Smith will no longer hold the position of Dean of Students. Chadwick has relocated Smith to work under the Office of the Provost and Chief Academic Officer working particularly on special projects. "These special projects will focus on the alignment of student life and academics," Chadwick said. "But it will be using his best skills in those areas to advance the institution."

Additionally, Chadwick removed Kathleen Simons from the Associate Provost for the Division of Student Life and Leadership. "I look forward to serving as Interim Associate Provost. I am proud of the work that Student Life and Leadership does and of the work of the greater Xavier community. I look forward to supporting all that we do to create a dynamic learning environment that challenges and supports students in a safe and inclusive environment," Johnson said. 

Additionally Lori Lambert, in addition to her role as Director of Residence Life, will oversee issues of student conduct. "I'm glad to do whatever to assist the students," Lambert said. "It's who I am. It's why I'm here. I have a great staff that will assist me and we will work together to do the best for the students." Currently, SLL focuses on student living, student development, mission identity and  safety.

Chadwick said SLL uses these goals to help align student teaching with student development in a process that is gaining speed. "We expect this teaching plan fully embedded through the campus by the end of the year," Chadwick said. "This is not going to take  ten years. It will be much faster than that."

Despite Chadwick's plan, his realignment of these positions has come at the peak of the turmoil for Xavier. On Dec. 8, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) agreed to investigate Xavier's response to an alleged sexual violence incident in 2010 against former student Kalyn Burgio. According to Burgio's complaint with the OCR, Luther negotiated terms with Burgio in exchange for a dismissal of the incident.

The investigation will check the validityof Burgio's claims and decide if  Xavier is in violation of Title IX laws. Chadwick's realignment  lso includes moving Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Kandi Stinson to the chair of the sociology department. Chadwick says Stinson's leadership will revitalize the program.