Mary Desler, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Northwestern, is retiring from her current position effective July, said William Banis, vice president for student affairs.
“Mary Desler has one of the most difficult jobs at the university,” Banis said. “She has always put the interests of the students first. She has been an outstanding dean of students.”
Desler’s retirement will not be a full one, as Banis said she will stay on part-time in the newly created position as a senior analyst and coordinator of student affairs assessment. She will review surveys and assessments used by the department as part of her new role, Banis said.
“She’ll still be here, and she’ll continue contributing to our students but in a different way,” he said.
Banis said Desler’s replacement would be announced “probably within the next week or two.” Her replacement will be on an interim basis for the 2009-2010 school year.
As associate vice president and dean of students, Desler oversees a number of programs including University Residential Life, Judicial Affairs and SafeRide, and has chaired a number of committees including the Dillo Day Task Force.
Judith Cooper, assistant director for the Center for Student Involvement, said Desler is the “patron saint” of Mayfest and helped create a Dillo Day “safety task force.
“People don’t realize this, but she’s the one that really keeps Dillo Day going,” Cooper said. “I don’t think we could survive without her.”
Cooper also said some students think of Desler only for her disciplinary role but said Desler works for the interests of students.
Banis said Desler has been the “contact” in case of emergencies for many years.
“Sometimes doing the right thing is not popular,” Banis said.
Associated Student Government Vice President Tommy Smithburg said the news of her retirement “was definitely a shock.”
“She’s been a resource to the students,” the Weinberg junior said. “She is always willing to listen to you and get the student perspective. There’s definitely going to be a hole to fill.”
Banis didn’t say why Desler decided to retire now, though he said it’s “a part of life.”
“Most of us are going to retire sooner or later,” he said.
Desler came to NU in 1996 as assistant vice president for student affairs, and Banis said he appointed her to associate vice president in 2001. He added dean of students to her title in 2004.
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