New-fangled Residential Education and Dining Services is currently undergoing big changes.

This department, formerly known as Residential Life and Dining Services before a decision by the administration to revamp its chain of command, is being reorganized as part of the College’s strategic planning process and proposed modifications are many and far-reaching.

Alterations thus far have included a massive restructuring of the department’s hierarchy to more effectively distribute responsibilities, as well as shifts within actual staff members. The most notable of these was the replacement of former director Kim Lafond by Interim Director Molly Tyson.

“We want to assess our efficiencies and how we can better serve students,” Tyson said of the reorganization.

Recent adjustments within the department also included a cut to the Conference Services staff last week, with the dismissal of Assistant Director Nanci Hardwick.

This decision allowed for the creation of a second assistant director of residential education position, the job of which it will be to co-supervise residential advisors and directors. Previously there had only been one assistant director.

“We wanted to increase our ability to be accessible,” Tyson said. “Conference Services focused on the summer months. This new person can focus on students and the larger school year.”

Modifications to the department, already made as well as only proposed, have not required any tweaking of the budget.

“The restructure is cost-neutral,” stated Tyson. “It doesn’t cost any more or less to run the department now than before.”

ResEd is also planning on strengthening the College’s current program housing options. “Our intention is to do more quality programming with what we offer. We want to play a role in the academic mission of the institution,” Tyson said, “making what’s already there even better.”

The newly-reorganized department is looking to address the issue of high turnover, some semesters close to 100 percent, within resident directors at the College.

“This plan allows our RDs more of an ability to move up,” said Tyson, “instead of having to leave to do that.”

Regrouping of student staff is also on the new ResEd agenda. Currently, an RD supervises anywhere from six-16 student staff members. The department hopes to average out those numbers and plans to cluster residential advisors differently than in previous years. “We want them to have more peers within their different areas,” Tyson said, “and it to be more equitable between positions.”

Another idea the reformed department hopes to help in executing is the College’s push in recent years to bring more upperclass students back to residence on campus. The construction of the new Union Street housing units are the fruit of this hope. Opening next fall, these 11 townhouse style buildings will house 132 juniors and seniors, 12 per structure.

Utilizing the student surveys ResEd has taken over the past few years, the Union Street development was built with student wants in mind. There are community kitchen areas and common spaces designed like those in private homes, as well as a bedroom for each individual.

Although there have been complaints regarding the sudden staff turnovers within the department, accompanied by little or no forewarning, Tyson assured the Review that changes remaining to be made within Residential Education and Dining Services will be done with input from the student body.

“Next year will be one of design and development,” she said. “It’s going to be a very fluid process, getting student ideas and feedback.”

Within the new ResEd hierarchy, five of the positions have yet to be filled and hiring will take place this semester. The department will be requiring a masters degree for several of the new positions, including the directors in charge of program housing, first-year housing and village and co-op housing. Someone with that kind of training will be better able to step into their role,” said Tyson.

ResEd will soon begin looking for anyone interested in seeking out promising applicants through search committees or participating in open forums regarding new staff and policies. “Students will be involved in the hiring process,” Tyson said.

In order to field questions and concerns from students regarding recent changes ResEd has set aside an hour each Friday for drop-ins from 4-5 p.m.

“We schedule no appointments during this time,” said Tyson. “We’re really trying to let people know what’s happening.”

Although Tyson is not the new permanent department director, she has applied for the position. Applications for all hopefuls are due Monday and the new director will assume responsibilities next fall.