Two CAS professors fill dean posts
Former college deans leave university on sabbaticals
Eteena Tadjiogueu
Issue date: 10/13/05 Section: News
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Current CAS Associate Dean for Students Wayne Snyder replaced former Dean Loren Samons, who is on sabbatical and will permanently leave the university afterwards. Core Curriculum Acting Director David Eckel is filling in for Core Curriculum Assistant Dean James Johnson, who is also on sabbatical. Jackson will return to his position at the end of the academic year.
Snyder began his position July 1 and was trained by Samons for two months. Snyder works with four CAS offices - the Taylor Advising Center, Pre-Professional Advising, Student Records and the Office of Programs.
Snyder said his position requires him to "oversee student academic services for CAS, implement its policies and also get involved with student activities and student life in the college."
Snyder held several titles before he took on the position of CAS dean for students and taught in the computer science department for 17 years. He also researched logic and artificial intelligence.
"I was director of Undergraduate Studies in [computer science] for a decade, associate chairman and chairman," Snyder said. "I also have worked in the Taylor Advising Center as a faculty advisor for many years. So I knew a little bit about my new position before I started."
It's difficult to deal with students who are having trouble in CAS, whether academically or socially, while still maintaining BU's academic standards, Snyder said.
"My least favorite part of the job is when a student has failed to meet some standard, say a GPA requirement or a divisional requirement, and is not graduating on time, or needs to take a little time away from BU," he said. "It is really important to do this right, but it is definitely not fun for anyone involved."
Religion professor Eckel said he is still teaching while serving as acting Core director. In addition to his teaching experience, Eckel said he brings "a lot of enthusiasm and love for teaching and learning" to the job.
"I really like the Core Curriculum and I was happy to be able to help the Core Curriculum flourish," he said. "I think we've been doing a great job in the last few years and that [Core] plays a great role in the college. I was very happy to take on this responsibility."
