Administrative Deans | Colgate University

Colgate offers a wide range of educational programs that promote student success in and out of the classroom. To this end, each student is assigned an administrative dean in addition to a faculty adviser. Administrative deans support students throughout their time at Colgate.

Administrative Deans are here to help. They are committed to developing meaningful relationships with advisees and assist students in taking ownership of their Colgate experience.

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 catalog 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.

Mission

The administrative deans are committed to developing meaningful relationships with students from a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds and learning styles. We strive to be accessible and supportive while empowering students to take responsibility for their lives and Colgate experience. We provide stewardship and guidance while promoting the intellectual and emotional development of our students. We approach advising as a partnership with students, staff, and faculty, using our knowledge and the knowledge of others to holistically address the needs of Colgate students.

Administrative Deans can assist students with questions that may arise regarding policies and procedures outlined in the university catalog and student handbook. These questions commonly deal with leaves of absence or withdrawal from the university, disciplinary matters, emergencies and issues that might affect the student's academic progress and/or experience.

Personal issues, both on campus and at home, can be discussed with an administrative dean. The dean may also assist students in connecting with others in the Colgate community or elsewhere who can help.

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 provide 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.

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 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.

Additional Advising Offices

Students walk across the Academic Quad on a sunny autumn day

First@Colgate

The First@Colgate program is designed to support first-generation students and their families in taking advantage of everything that Colgate has to offer.

Learn more about First@Colgate

International students orientation provides an opportunity for team building games.

Scholars Programs

Colgate offers three flagship programs for students as they enter Colgate, the Office of Undergraduate Studies (OUS) program, Benton Scholars, and Alumni Memorial Scholars.

Learn more about Scholars Programs

Engda Hagos, Associate Professor of Biology, works on experiments with OUS students in his laboratory in Olin Hall.

Office of International Student Services

The Office of International Student Services (OISS) understands that studying at Colgate as an international student presents unique opportunities and challenges, from immigration concerns to adjusting to life in a new culture and everything in between. The office is committed to thoughtfully supporting each student and the community from the time of admission to graduation and beyond.

Learn more about OISS