The position for director of Residence Life and Housing has been posted as being available by May 1, with applications beginning to be reviewed on Feb. 27.

The current director of Residence Life, Jim Schlinsog, was hired in 2007 and helped develop the residence program. He will hold his position through the end of the spring semester, Ruth Garvey-Nix, vice chancellor of Student Affairs, said. 

Garvey-Nix said Schlinsog is leaving the position to focus on his dissertation he’s writing for the doctorate program he’s enrolled in at the University of Louisville.

“This position is not an eight to five job, and it’s hard to make progress on something like that while you’re putting a lot of work into getting a program running,” Garvey-Nix said.

While the position won’t be filled until May, Garvey-Nix said Schlinsog wanted to give the university ample notice so it could take advantage of a prime hiring season.

Schlinsog would not comment and said he’d “rather not talk about it at this time.”

Seuth Chaleunphonh, dean of Student Life, said he is chairing a search committee to organize the stages of the search for a new director, with the final choice resting with Garvey-Nix.

“Right now, I’ve been charged with coordinating the search process,” Chaleunphonh said.

“Myself, together with the search committee, will be reviewing résumés, and once we identify qualified applicants we’ll do interviews, some by phone. Then we’ll give the applicants tours to let them get a feel of the campus, and give them opportunities for input. Afterwards, we’ll give a list to Vice Chancellor Garvey-Nix, and she’ll let us know who we’d like to have fill the position,” Chaleunphonh said.

Garvey-Nix said the duties of the search committee will include reviewing the applications, narrowing down the pool, setting up interviews and submitting a report about the strengths and weaknesses of each applicant.

While the final decision for who will fill the position belongs to her, Garvey-Nix said the hiring process is a collaborative group effort.

“Multiple groups and individuals will be providing feedback in a forum, so that we can chose a right fit for the position,” Garvey-Nix said.

Chaleunphonh said the process of choosing a new
director, from receiving and reviewing applications to the final appointment, will take about three months.

Garvey-Nix said what she and the search committee will be looking for is an applicant who is student oriented and wants the challenge of developing and maintaining
the Residence Life program.

“It’s quite an undertaking,” Garvey-Nix said.

“It’s not like a program that’s been going for 20 years,” Garvey-Nix said. “We’re looking for someone who has significant experience and that has good ideas for developing and growing the program.”

Chaleunphonh said applicants they consider will need to fit the job description posted online, which includes having experience in Residence Life.

They need to be able to coordinate the residence halls, manage the budget and be able to connect well with others in the institution and students.

Garvey-Nix said the first year of the residence program has been a success, and she is hopeful that the future of the program will be bright.

“I am confident that the coming months will be smooth and we’re looking forward to having someone continue to build on the program’s strong foundation,” Garvey-Nix said.

By AMY FAULHABER
Staff Writer
amfaulha@ius.edu