Anchor Amidst Currents of Change: Dean O'Donnell Stays Until 08-09

By: Courtney Roy

Posted: 11/1/06

In light of the recent decision to cut ties with the College of Mount Saint Vincent, Dr. Mary Ann O'Donnell, Dean of the Arts, has been asked to extend her term until the 2008-2009 school year to help smooth the transition for students.
As Manhattan College builds its own communications department and brings the sociology, psychology, and biology departments completely to Manhattan campus, administrators expressed special concerns about the students in Arts programs undergoing change. With a new dean, a new academic advisor, and changes in faculty, administrators were concerned that these changes would cause too much of a disruption for Arts students, especially those in programs previously based in the cooperative program.
According to the Provost, Dr. Weldon Jackson, the decision was based on "extensive discussions with Mary Ann about the transition and the dissolution of the Manhattan-Mount relationship, and why that transition would benefit from her experience and insight about the programs."
In order to minimize the impact of the changes resulting from the split, Jackson and Brother Thomas Scanlan asked O'Donnell to keep her position during the transition to not only help students through the process, but to help build the majors affected by end of the cooperative program.
"There is going to be a lot of change, and it was my belief that the students need a stable and familiar voice to guide them through this transition," Jackson said.
O'Donnell echoed Jackson's sentiments: "We want to make this transition as seamless and transparent as possible. Our main concern is making sure that this works for students."
As programs are in the process of building and reworking, both Jackson and O'Donnell remain optimistic about the future of Manhattan College and the new possibilities that the split with the College of Mount Saint Vincent will bring about.
"We have worked with wonderful people at the Mount, but this is Manhattan's chance to shape the programs," O'Donnell said. "The word for this time is excitement."
While no plans have been set, O'Donnell, Jackson, and faculty members involved in shaping the new programs emphasize that the School of the Arts is taking a day-by-day approach to building the programs, and want to build the best possible programs for students. The programs will be constantly assessed, and the students will also be able to voice concerns and ideas.
Jackson expressed a bright outlook, "I think that the College and the School of the Arts are fortunate that Mary Ann has agreed to stay until the 2008-2009 school year. I see great things happening, and it bodes well for the School of the Arts."
O'Donnell had originally planned to step down as Dean of the Arts in order to return to the classroom full time in the English department. A committee was formed to find a replacement for her, but was unable to find a candidate, so the search was continued through the beginning of this year. Upon O'Donnell's decision to keep her position, the search committee was dissolved.
"Her decision to leave was never about effectiveness," Jackson continued. "She thought that it was time for her to let someone else come in. I think some of [O'Donnell's decision to stay] was related to the fact that no dean can ever say that their job is done. When the dissolution came, I think Mary Ann's list of things undone expanded and she wants to leave that list as completed as possible."
Though O'Donnell does not see returning to the classroom as feasible, especially given the added responsibilities associated with the dissolution of the cooperative program, she does remain optimistic about the new possibilities that the future holds.