UW-Madison dean of students candidate Brian Rose spoke with students at the Red Gym Monday night, emphasizing his willingness to be innovative on complex campus issues while being receptive to students' points of view.
""I'm not afraid to take unpopular stances, but not until I understand the issue,"" Rose said about campus-centered issues unfamiliar to him, such as segregated fee policies and funding rent for off-campus facilities for student groups.
Rose said that as dean he would work to strengthen dialogue between students and members of the administration.
For example, when asked what he would do on the current campus issues involving off-campus rent, Rose said he would ask several questions, such as why there is not space available and why the current fee system functions the way it does.
Rose is currently the associate vice president for student affairs at Rutgers—New Jersey's state university. He has past experience as an assistant dean of students and as an attorney.
According to Rose, the dean of students should help transfer students through a ""period of adjustment"" by connecting them to one another and to appropriate academic advising. He said advisors at Rutgers typically encourage transfer students to spread some courses into shorter winter or summer terms and that this seems effective.
""When you've got the numbers UW-Madison has, it's a critical task,"" Rose said concerning transfer students.
He said it is important to build a community among the transfer students and connect them to the larger campus community.
The issue of diversity on campus was also addressed at the forum, with numerous students asking Rose about his views on Plan 2008, UW-Madison's ongoing diversity initiative.
Rose said he thinks the plan needs to be evaluated and ""reinforced, revitalized and continued."" He also said the university needs to encourage students of color to act as ambassadors to underrepresented areas in order to increase enrollment. According to Rose, the business community also needs and values people who can work in a diverse environment.
Rose has worked on an ongoing project at Rutgers to increase the retention and recruitment of students with disabilities.
""Diversity is not an issue about race, it's about education,"" Rose said. ""As an educational opportunity, people should want that.""
Following the forum, some students had lingering questions for Rose.
""As a candidate he offers a lot of what the university is looking for,"" said Multicultural Student Coalition executive member Katrina Flores. ""He seems very articulate.""
Flores said she was concerned he did not speak as much on shared governance as much as she would have hoped.
Associated Students of Madison member Erica Lopez said she was concerned with his level of familiarity with campus issues, but at the same time expressed hope in Rose's willingness to empower student organizations.
