Assistant Dean search decision delayed

Two candidates visit campus

The decision of the new assistant dean of student life and services has been delayed until next week. The search committee will meet Friday to discuss the two current candidates and to determine whether or not another candidate will be considered.

Even though the possibility of a third candidate has not been ruled out, the committee expects to resolve the issue by early next week. "We are working towards a very quick conclusion," Gloria White, committee co-chair, said.

Shilpa Davé met with students in open forums last Friday.

King On-To met with about twenty students on Monday, after a meeting with members of the Oberlin Korean Student Organization. The students were asked to complete a form rating the candidate's ability to communicate, relate to various communities and perform other functions of the Assistant Deanship.

King On-To is currently director of Cal State-Fullerton's federally-funded student support services. He is also research associate with the UCLA Asian American studies program.

He stressed his solidarity with the movement for an Asian-American Studies department at Oberlin. "You have no Asian-American Studies program here. You have a need for an Asian-American Studies program here. Twenty-five years is a long time to wait," King On-To said.

King On-To feels he could be instrumental in implementing such a program, even though it is not the responsibility of the position for which he is applying. "I can't say that I'm the person who'll bring that together but I definitely have some ideas," he said.

According to King On-To, the Asian-American movement in general needs to establish its direction, its focus, and its priorities. King On-To sees the Midwest in particular as an area needing change.

King On-To also spoke to a question on the accuracy of the term "Asian-American." This is not a social, cultural term, he said, but a political term for the purpose of bringing solidarity. He said the term is an umbrella under which different cultural groups can work together. "We speak stronger in numbers," he said.

King On-To sees student activism and involvement as essential. "We wanted to be able to have students be involved in that development so that they could be empowered by that development. All of us need to become leaders and all of us need to become advocates," King On-To said.

He also mentioned of his experience in coalition-building, and of the importance of cooperation in developing a campus more racially tolerant and supportive. His goal at Cal State-Fullerton was to create an integrated student advocacy coalition that included Asian Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, and Chicano and Latino populations.

Asked why he chose to apply for the Oberlin position, King On-To responded that he enjoyed the close contact with students afforded by his present job, and felt he would be more able to do that at a smaller private college such as Oberlin. His current post at Cal State-Fullerton puts him in contact with 150-200 first generation, physically disabled and low-income students.

"I look forward to 1-on-1 contact with students. The difficulty with being an administrator is taking time to spend with your students." He also said he was looking for employment opportunities outside California.

Shilpa Davé answers questions:Davé, a candidate for the assistant dean of student life and services position, met with students in an open forum April 5. (photo by Chandrika Rai)