An Administrative Voice:

Abstract

The "administrative voice" of the psychotherapist referred to in Dr. May's article is only one of the administrative voices heard in the institution when a student is in crisis. Deans often become involved in a student's departure from the institution or in articulating the terms under which a student may remain or return. The extent of a dean's collaboration with the counseling center and his or her ability to respond independent of the counseling center, depend in large measure, on how the institution has defined the role and authority of the dean. In this commentary article I have generally concurred with Dr. May's view that deans can and should respond independent of the counseling center to a student's disruptive or alarming behavior, but I have also attempted to illuminate the constraints which often exist on our ability to act. In addition, I have attempted to give voice to the need for regular conversation between deans and psychotherapists on matters of general policy.