In July, Todd Olson became interim Vice President of Student Affairs after Juan Gonzales stepped down to take a position at Arizona State University. Olson brings a fair amount of experience to the job; he served as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs for Gonzales, and has had a great deal of interaction with student leaders.
The position of Vice President of Student Affairs is a difficult and important one at the University. Students want a VP who is an advocate for their needs, even (or especially) when these are at odds with the University. The VP for Student Affairs, meanwhile, is ultimately responsible to the president and the Board of Directors.
It’s a tough line to walk, and the best way to do it is to be forthright and communicative with students. Know them-know who they are, and what they do. Know not just student leaders, but all kinds of students. And when you talk to them, be honest.
Olson, by most accounts, is an administrator who fits this description. “He’s very honest, he’s a straight shooter … and he’s definitely a great advocate for students,” said Georgetown University Student Association President Brian Morgenstern (CAS ‘04), who is in meetings involving Olson several times per week. Other students have had similarly positive experiences with Olson.
Olson is presumably being considered as the permanent Vice President for Student Affairs-no search committee has been announced-and University President John J. DeGioia would do well to keep him on in the position. Olson, meanwhile, will face the first major challenge of his tenure in the coming weeks, as the FRIENDS Initiative unveils their proposal for a revised alcohol policy. Regardless of whether the proposal is approved-and most students will probably be in favor of it-Olson would do well to keep his ear to the ground and pay attention to what students are thinking, and not just the GUSA leadership. His record thus far is a positive one. Hopefully he can bring this impression to the rest of the student body.
