In this photo, the exterior of the UConn Dean of Students office is pictured. Current Dean Eleanor Daugherty will host open office hours once a month beginning on Sept. 30. (Rebecca Newman/The Daily Campus)
UConn’s dean of students announced she will host open office hours once a month beginning Sept. 30 in response to increased demand from students.
Eleanor Daugherty joined UConn as its dean of students in summer 2014 and made a commitment to being “open and available,” she said.
“I’m always available to students,” Daugherty said, “I am not limited to two hours. I just want there to be a time for students to have easy access to my office. It is important that I put my best foot forward. I find that I give my best advice and my best performance when I’ve been in contact with students.”
Daugherty will hold monthly office hours will be held on the last Monday of each month from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“I just don’t know if the two hours are adequate,” seventh-semester Human Development and Family Studies major Jake Tolson said. “I plan on meeting with her in those hours, but I don’t know if what I have to say now will be relevant then.”
Daugherty said that she noticed increased interest among students and decided to open her door in response, but two hours a month is not enough time for students to meet with her.
“Students that need to speak with me should make an appointment,” Daugherty said. “The two hours are simply a promise that my door will be open.”
Rachel Conboy, president of UConn student government, said that Daugherty’s response time is always prompt and that the office hours are a great opportunity to meet and speak with her.
“As far as meeting with Eleanor about issues on campus or going to her with initiatives, I would say that office hours are not the time for that; that is the time to make an appointment,” Conboy said.
Tolson said overall he was pleased with Daugherty’s job as the dean.
“My only wish is that she might host hours twice a month rather than once,” he said.
Daugherty urged students to join the Dean of Students Advisory Committee if they want to be certain that their voice will be heard.
Jon Hull is a staff writer for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at jonathan.hull@uconn.edu.
