Professor of Mathematics Gregory Call will replace Professor of History and American Studies Frank Couvares as dean of new students in the Fall of 2002. Call has had previous experience as the dean of new students, filling in for Couvares during his last sabbatical in 1998. Call has agreed to serve for at least two years, with an option for a possible third year. "Professor Call is known as a terrific teacher, one who cares about the well-being of his students, both in and out of class. He has also been very active in academic support," said Dean of Students Ben Lieber.

Couvares also had high praise for his successor. "I think Professor Call will make a splendid dean. He is very conscientious and very concerned about his students and about academic life," said Couvares. "He also has a strong commitment to helping students overcome their problems, which is exactly the kind of quality you want in the dean of new students."

Call said he found serving as dean to be a fulfilling experience in 1998. "The most rewarding thing was helping people get through tough times and pointing them in the direction of the resources they needed," he said.

The standard course load for a dean of new students is one class per semester. "I think it's a nice balance. It would be hard to step away from teaching completely," said Call.

Call plans to meet with Couvares in the spring to discuss the issues he will focus on over the next two years. "My impression is that I will continue Dean Couvares' work on the design of the new construction. I will also help students with the transition issues that will result from the construction," said Call. He also plans to work on improving the advising system, which he believes is a concern for both professors and students. "There is a modest effort now to help professors understand their advising duties, but I think there are things to do that could make it more helpful," said Call.

In the five years Couvares has served as dean, he has been influential in expanding orientation and planning the construction on the freshmen quad. Couvares will take a year long sabbatical and will return to his teaching position in 2003. "Dean Couvares has been an active presence in all matters, but especially in those related to the dorm master plan," said Lieber.

As dean, Couvares has helped many students adjust to college life. "My most important duty as dean is talking one-on-one with students. I help students understand exactly what they are having trouble with, and then help them figure out how to best overcome it," he said.

Students also appreciate Couvares' commitment to his job. "He has been wonderful ... very accessible and personal," said Ed McCabe '05.

Next year, Couvares will continue his research on free speech and censorship. "I plan to travel a lot, but I'm going to concentrate on finishing my book, which hopefully will be published in a few years," he said.