Routinely, students see an
administrative dean when they need advice regarding personal and/or academic matters or information on the many support resources available at Colgate. Administrative deans also assist students in navigating and understanding administrative policies and procedures detailed in the
catalogue and
student handbook as they relate to the student experience. The deans are committed to providing support while promoting the intellectual and emotional development of students.
Assisting with personal challenges
Personal issues both on campus, and at home, can be discussed with an administrative dean. The dean may also assist the student in connecting with others in the Colgate community or elsewhere who can work with the student on addressing concerns.
Working with faculty
Instructors and faculty advisers may confer with an administrative dean on questions of university policy or on an individual student's progress in a course. Other areas of mutual concern between a faculty member and an administrative dean include: authorization of incomplete grades, verification of prolonged absence from class, and academic standing. Faculty members are asked to report information to administrative deans when academic absences from class are excessive and/or students experience academic difficulty in a course. These course progress reports are sent to the student, with a copy to the student's faculty adviser. The administrative dean may also request a specific progress report at any time if he or she feels that the student's academic status is in question.
Addressing academic petitions
Each administrative dean is a member of the Committee on Standards and Academic Standing (CSAS), a committee that takes action on student petitions regarding academic policy exceptions, as well as appeals regarding academic dismissal. The Committee meets regularly throughout the academic year.
Engaging parents/guardians
The university, as a matter of policy and philosophy, works with students as adults and as a result, assumes that they will take responsibility for their academic and personal lives at Colgate. However, in the event that that an administrative dean feels that a student's Colgate career is in jeopardy due to health, academic, or disciplinary reasons, the university may contact the student's parents or legal guardians.