Houghton College is currently without a Vice President of Student life. New and returning students alike may be wondering what that role entails, what happened to the last VP, and what comes next.
The role of the VP of Student Life is to ensure students are recognized at the highest level of administrative affairs. While decisions are ultimately left to the President of Student Life, the VP advocates for what is best for students in everything non-academic, this includes everything from athletics and club activities, to finances and housing.
Dr. Robert Pool was Houghton’s acting VP of Student Life from 2013 to 2018. While here, Dr. Pool was a key factor in several major decisions. He was very much involved in Houghton’s transition to a NCAA III division school, as well as the construction of the Kerr-Pegula Athletic Complex and expanding the Athletic footprint of Houghton College. Dr. Pool strongly believed in supporting students, whether it be through the counseling centre or otherwise.
This year, Dr. Pool accepted a position at Ashland University in Ohio as VP of Student Life after receiving the offer several times. “Dr. Pool left unwillingly,” said Dr. Burrichter. “He felt a strong connection to Houghton, but had felt God calling him to Ashland U. It took a lot of consideration on his part, but Dr. Pool left on pleasant terms with Houghton. Some people didn’t like him, some did; that didn’t play a role in his decision to leave. Any administrative role will garner frustration by constituents.”
Dr. Pool began his position at Ashland University on July 1st, 2018. Dr. Burrichter has taken his place as an Interim VP of Student Life from July 1st, until December 31st while a new Vice President is found. Due to Dr. Burrichter’s role as Director of Counseling, he will not oversee student conduct to avoid a conflict of interest. Instead, Marc Smithers will be fulfilling that role until a new Vice President is found.
On the search committee for a new Vice President of Student Life sits Dr. Michael Jordan, Shehan Rodrigo ’19 and Emily Allen ’20. Their goal is to find a new VP of Student life for the 2019 spring semester. “It’s important that the candidate who is ultimately selected is one who embodies Houghton’s mission as a Christ-centered, liberal arts institution,” Emily Allen stated, “There are also some students on the committee who will be able to voice our opinions throughout the hiring process. Especially since the person who fills the position will have such vital interaction with students.”
The committee’s first meeting is Thursday, September 13, 2018.