Dean of Students Ed Willis announced Thursday that he has
decided to resign from his position for personal reasons.
- Ryan Nowak
- Willis
The dean of students works with the Office of Student Affairs to
provide assistance to individual students, student groups, faculty
and staff on issues outside of the academic setting.
“My need and desire to support my family at this time
necessitates that I step away from my role as Dean of
Students,” Willis wrote in an e-mail sent to his colleagues
at the University.
He added, “This has been a long and difficult decision to
make, and it came after considerable thought and much
consultation.”
Frank Cianciola, senior associate vice president for student
affairs, said he worked with Willis on many crisis situations and
student projects.
“He’s balancing his commitment to his family and to
his profession, and this is a personal decision,” Cianciola
said.
Willis said in his e-mail he will be leaving the University
“within the next few days,” but Cianciola said it is
likely that he will be in and out of his office until June.
In a press release to The Michigan Daily, Vice President of
Student Affairs E. Royster Harper said that she will form an
advisory group to “explore the appropriate next steps in
launching a search for a successor.”
Jason Mironov, president of the Michigan Student Assembly, said
he was sad to hear that Willis will be leaving. Mironov said Willis
had been helping MSA plan and organize Spring Fling, an activity
scheduled for the spring of 2005. He said MSA will seek other help
with the project.
As for the search for a successor to the dean of students
position, Mironov, a fourth-year business student, said he would
like to see an MSA representative sit on the board of the advisory
group and participate in the search for an eligible candidate for
the position.
Cianciola said Harper will decide the members of the group
because the dean of students reports directly to her.
Willis has served on several committees, including the
Undergraduate Council, Diversity Council and the Provost’s
Task Force on Campus Climate for Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian,
Gay Faculty, Staff and Students.
He was unavailable for comment.