Students were surprised and alarmed by the news of Dean of the College Lee Pelton's decision to take another job, but administrators called his decision an unfortunate but common event that Dartmouth will be able to withstand.
With three top administration posts vacant after Commencement of this year -- president, provost and now dean of the College -- many students see Pelton's decision a threat to a stable administration.
"It sort of seems irresponsible that he is leaving at this time," said Andrew Hilton '99.
Panhellenic Council President Mariam Malik '98 agreed, saying the future indeed seems "a bit hazy" with Pelton's resignation.
But Dean of the Faculty and Provost James E. Wright said there is no reason for concern.
"There are always changeovers and transitions ... and an institution like Dartmouth will be able to endure those changes," he said.
Assistant Dean of the College Steven Cornish -- who also oversees first-year students in the East Wheelock Cluster -- remarked that while Pelton will be greatly missed by the College, his resignation may be an aid to the next president, who can hire a provost and dean of the College with goals similar to his.
"It is an opportunity to create a team of administrators that want to move in a similar direction," Cornish said.
Some students said they were disappointed by the news that Pelton will leave.
Anne Sunderland '98 said she appreciated the direction he was taking the College, and hailed his ability to communicate with all students in a "down-to-earth" way.
As a member of the Amarna undergraduate society, she has shared two dinners with Pelton and his family, including one at their family home on Choate Road.
"I was really impressed with his openness and friendliness -- he really wanted to remedy campus problems like excessive drinking and the male/female problem," she said.
But other students disagreed, saying his resignation may open the door for a more fraternity-friendly dean.
"I don't think some of the things he has done have been the best for student life," said Heather Brandling-Bennett '99, who added that she hopes he does not have time to make his final recommendations on the College Committee on Alcohol and Other Drugs proposal from last term.
While some students admitted they do not know who Dean Pelton is -- or had not heard about his resignation -- most associate him with the CCAOD report and the highly publicized information session held in November.
"I think Pelton could really try to make his mark on Dartmouth by handcuffing the fraternity system," John Kline '99 said.
But like many other students, Kline thinks it will be hard for Pelton to make lasting changes to the policy because he will not be here to follow those new rules through.
Pelton told The Dartmouth yesterday he plans on making his final recommendations before he leaves in June.
Students agreed it is important for Pelton to leave without this issue remaining up in the air.
Wright commented that no matter what Pelton's recommendation, it will be up to the next dean of the College to establish the future alcohol policy.
"It is not a blank slate when a new administrator comes in. It will be up to the new one to put his or her own imprint on these matters," he said.
Wright cited the fact that when Pelton began in 1991 he went against his predecessor by reversing a no-keg policy at social events.
Pelton's other achievements include the development of the East Wheelock cluster with its implementation of a unique learning experience involving both faculty and students interacting in an intellectual setting.
"He did a really good job with the New Dorms and making them a complete living arrangement for students at Dartmouth," Kline said.
According to Cornish, Pelton is leaving the supercluster in good shape to continue the positive impact it is having on campus.
"He is leaving it in a relatively mature stage in its development ... and we are satisfied so far with how it has worked out," he said.
Cornish went on to remark that the formation of another cluster modeled on the East Wheelock setting would extend Pelton's ideals further.
