Qualified new director of Student Life

In a commendable move relating to student safety, the University has named a former Pitt… In a commendable move relating to student safety, the University has named a former Pitt police chief and current director of public safety as the director of Residence Life.

The selection of Deborah Furka, effective Oct. 1, to the revised directorial position demonstrates a commitment to the quality of student life – something that the University has been lacking.

Furka has a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Kent State University, where, as an undergraduate and as a graduate student, she was involved in Residence Life, holding positions similar to that of Pitt’s Residential Assistant and Residential Director. As the chief of Pitt police, she supervised 101 officers. She also completed last year’s extensive review of Greek life – a potentially inflammatory task that she handled with relative aplomb.

These aspects of her career highlight managerial acumen, a commitment to public safety and sensitivity in dealing with students – three obvious qualifications for a position overseeing dorm life.

Her experience as director of public safety is reassuring to students and parents alike – no one can learn from or experience college life if they don’t feel safe, and having a former police chief in charge of Residence Life is a huge stride toward making consumers of dorm life feel secure.

Supervisory experience over an entire police force will translate well into organizing a staff of RAs and RDs. Not only does Furka have the tools to motivate and regulate a staff, but the fact that her experience is with law enforcement may encourage a very safety-oriented and law-abiding approach to management.

The only question marring Furka’s appointment is the change in the title – and, likely, pay and benefits – of the position itself. Previously, Denine Rocco held the position of assistant to the dean for Residence Life, which was not a directorial position at the time, though the equivalent position was prior to her employment, and is now.

To revamp Rocco’s position after she resigned July 25 to work at the University of Akron is, according to Rocco herself, “interesting,” to say the least. While no employer should have to make public the details of personnel decisions, in the interest of transparency of the administration, such an overhaul of a position should be accompanied by at least some explanation.