Dean of the College Lee Pelton's decision to leave Dartmouth has implications for the College which extend well beyond a simple changing of the guard.
When Pelton leaves, the College will lose an unpretentious administrator who has supported intellectualism without sacrificing his accessibility to students.
Pelton's projects, such as the creation of the Committee on Alcohol and Other Drugs and the Committee on the First-Year Experience, have left indelible marks on the College.
But Pelton's departure carries more weight than it would have a year ago.
With the announcement of President James Freedman's resignation this Fall, the administration rapidly shifted from a period of relative stability to one of transition, placing the future of the College in limbo.
Not only will Pelton's move exacerbate the administration's leadership vacuum, but it will also increase the burden placed on the presidential search committee during this lame-duck interval.
Although this administrative upheaval often accompanies a presidential changeover, it would be difficult to overestimate the importance of such a power shift.
Within the next year, Dartmouth will inaugurate a new president who will then appoint a provost and a dean of the College -- giving him or her an immediate threefold voice in the administration.
Just as Freedman's 10-year emphasis on intellectualism and Pelton's penchant for the supercluster have impacted student life, the new president has the potential to overhaul Dartmouth.
Next year, the former triumvirate of Freedman, former Provost Lee Bollinger and Pelton will give way to a new group of administrators who will have their own goals and visions for the future of Dartmouth.
As Dartmouth arrives at this administrative turning point, it is imperative that students debate the policies that shape Dartmouth -- from alcohol regulations to curriculum changes to the Greek system -- all of which have the potential to change in coming years.
Now is the time for Dartmouth students to make their voices heard to ensure that the evolution of the College does not proceed without the input of its most important constituency.
