Word: deane
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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Gibson is the staff assistant to Archie C. Epps III, dean of students. Tucked in an office of her own on the first floor of University Hall, Gibson serves as a buffer between Epps and the hordes of undergraduates clamoring at his door, and she solves many of their problems on her own. Her biggest difficulty, in fact, is often no in devising solutions but in convincing the students their woes are not as severe as they think...
Gibson does not foresee keeping her present jobs for more than a few years. If she eventually decides to enter college administration, her post in Epps's office will provide her with useful background, although she realizes Harvard "isn't about to promote a staff assistant to dean, or even assistant dean for that matter." A deanship is not "an immediate concern on this employment level," she adds. A few of her counterparts in the other deans' 'offices have landed administrative posts at other schools, and most of the staff assistants, whatever their eventual goals, do view these jobs...
...woman who worked for Dean Epps's predecessor was here for about 20 years, but she was the last of the 'Old Guard.' Staff assistants now are getting younger and younger, and it doesn't really do you any good to stay here to long. To get on in administration, you really need a Ph.D. in Education or an MBA," she says...
...despite the mounds of paperwork, Gibson finds plenty to keep her busy. She hopes to be actively involved in writing the preliminary report of Epps's Committee on Race Relations this summer, and in general she feels her job provides her with a lot of leeway. Gibson believes most deans appreciate employee initiatives. "They don't try to hold you back or pigeonhole you. It's to Dean Epps's and my mutual benefit for me to take on more responsibility, and I can make my own job more interesting that way," she explains...
...honestly feel at times--and I know in some ways I've contributed to this--that students come in here and regard me as only a secretary, someone who doesn't have to be taken seriously. Their attitude is hard to handle because they tend to think, 'Only Dean Epps can handle my problem, I should obviously be sent right in to see him.' They don't realize that many times I can take care of them far more quickly," she says...