Allston Burr Resident Dean of Harvard College at Harvard University – Cambridge, Massachusetts

002407SR
School/Unit Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Job Function Faculty & Student Services
Location Cambridge
Job Type Full-time
Salary Grade 058
FLSA Status Exempt
Union 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
Term Appointment No

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences?

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard’s undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

ABRD Role Description

The Allston Burr Resident Dean (ABRD) serves as both the academic dean and dean of students in one undergraduate House within the Harvard College residential system. The ABRD therefore oversees the academic progress and overall wellbeing of students in the House. The ABRD is a senior leader within the House, working closely with the Faculty Deans and House staff, and overseeing the Office of the Resident Dean for each House. The ABRD represents the students of their House at the Administrative Board and Honor Council and works with faculty, academic departments, and partner offices such as the Academic Resource Center and Disability Access Office on academic issues affecting individual students. The ABRD also works with Harvard University Health Services (HUHS), Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS), the Office of Undergraduate Education, Office of Student Services, and the Student Support Team on issues related to student support. Like the Faculty Deans, the ABRD contributes to the House community as a scholar and provides friendly guidance and support through meals in the House’s dining hall. The ABRD lives in residence on campus and is a regular presence at House events and holds weekly office hours.

This is a year-round, full-time, regular, administrative staff position with academic, teaching and advising requirements within the University. Allston Burr Resident Deans are appointed by, and report to, the Faculty Deans and the Dean of Harvard College or the Dean’s delegate.

Administrative

• Serves as the chief academic officer/academic dean as well as dean of students in the House, with responsibility for ensuring that all students make steady progress toward their degrees (somewhere between 450-550 students, depending on the House).
• Supervises the Academic Coordinator (AC) in the House; hires, trains, and oversees the work of the AC; conducts annual goal setting and performance review process for the AC. Ensures proper record keeping, confidentiality, and oversight of student files.
• When asked, serves as members of the boards run by the Office of Academic Integrity and Student Conduct, including the Administrative Board of Harvard College, which meets weekly during the academic year and occasionally during the summer to review student petitions for exceptions to College rules, as well as unsatisfactory academic records and disciplinary incidents and the College’s Honor Council, which meets weekly during the academic year to review possible violations of the College’s Honor Code.
• Serves as the representative for students in the House when they have petitions or cases before the College’s Administrative Board or Honor Council.
• Plays a critical role in House disciplinary incidents and serves as a reference point for ensuring adherence to College policy within the House.
• Communicates with stakeholders beyond the College including parents, employers, treatment providers, and graduate and professional schools in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Serves as a voting member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and attends monthly Faculty meetings. ABRDs may also serve on Faculty committees that propose legislation for consideration at Faculty meetings.
• The ABRD is responsible for being up to date on College policies in the areas of academics as well as residential life, including the College’s Student Handbook, Title IX, emergency procedures, and other University protocols and policies like those overseen by the Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities.
• Serves in a cohort with other Resident Deans, including both other ABRDs and RDFs (Resident Deans of First-Year Students), and meets bi-weekly with the RD cohort; participates in both formal and informal mentoring relationships among RDs; and engages in regular trainings on academic policy, academic advising, and student affairs offered by the Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE), the Dean of Students Office (DSO), and partner offices.
• Serve on various OUE/DSO, College, and University committees as needed.

Student Support

• Oversees holistic care for students in the House, addressing the academic, social, and personal dimensions of their Harvard College experience. This involves working closely with Faculty Deans and other House staff, the Dean of Students, the Administrative Board and Honor Council, HUHS, CAMHS, and colleagues in the Registrar’s Office, Office of Undergraduate Education, the Dean of Students Office, and partner offices, including the Academic Resource Center and Disability Access Office.
• Works with faculty and academic departments on issues affecting individual students, including cases where students may be making unsatisfactory progress in their courses or may be facing other challenges.
• Work to ensure that Agreements to Engage in Treatment are complete for those students who require one, working with the student and treatment providers and executing agreements on behalf of the College.
• Works with the Faculty Deans and tutors in managing both individual and community crisis situations and in-House disciplinary incidents. Works with the Senior Resident Dean and Assistant Dean for Student Support on supporting students in distress.
• Manages the on-call schedule for the House, often working with a senior tutor. Serves in a rotating on-call capacity by neighborhood with other ABRDs to provide support for serious student incidents and issues that may arise.
• As a Responsible Employee, the ABRD is conversant with University Title IX policies, promptly notifies the appropriate Title IX Resource Coordinator about possible sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct and liaises with Title IX Resource Coordinators to provide support to students. They also work with the College Local Designated Resources (LDRs) to support students navigating the University’s Non-Discrimination & Anti-Bullying policy processes.

House Leadership

• Serves as a senior member of the House leadership team. Meets and communicates with the senior members of the House team, including the Faculty Deans, House Administrator, Building Manager, and Dining Hall Manager, to help set the vision and objectives for the House as a whole.
• Resides on campus and participates in House life, including taking regular meals in the dining halls, attending certain House events, and holding weekly office hours. The ABRD also plays a significant role in Commencement and sometimes presides at significant House events.
• Assists and advises the Faculty Deans in tutor hiring, reappointment, and termination and participates in annual tutor evaluation meetings.
• Via a dotted line, partners with the Faculty Deans to manage the resident tutors with respect to supporting individual student academic advising, student support and well-being and emergency response. Responsible for training resident tutors about College and House policies and protocol and overseeing the Tutors on Call.
• Assists the Faculty Deans in planning the agenda for monthly House tutor meetings, often working with a senior tutor.
• The ABRD may carry out other duties specific to the House. Any additional House-specific duties should be developed in consultation with FDs and relevant College stakeholders.

Academic Teaching and Advising

• In partnership with the Faculty Deans, ABRDs are responsible for overseeing any medical school, graduate school, and fellowship endorsement letter College processes.
• In partnership with the House staff, responsible for supporting the sophomore transition to the House. Oversees the sophomore mentoring program, and budget, and supervises sophomore mentors in the House ensuring that all mentors are trained appropriately and fulfilling their roles as mentors.
• Assists the Faculty Deans and tutors with planning the orientation to the House for incoming students, including House-wide orientation meetings, educational programs, and activities to orient students to the life of the House.
• Teaches three courses over 5 years within the University and often contributes to the needs of an academic department in other ways, including advising senior theses and reading/research courses, as well as serving on departmental committees.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office setting.
• Required to work some nights and weekends, especially when on-call.

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting & using near vision for reading and computer use for extended periods of time.
• Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required
• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Terminal degree required. Must be qualified to teach as a Lecturer in one of the faculties of the University.
• Experience advising and counseling undergraduate students about academic opportunities and support resources, interest and experience in academic administration and student life, and excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have taught undergraduates and have worked in a residential environment with holistic advising responsibilities. Applicants should also be familiar with residential crisis management and disciplinary responsibilities.
• Successful candidates in the past have brought a variety of life and work experiences to the position.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Compensation Range/Rate: $100K-$140K
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal, CORI
• Other Information: The ABRD is responsible for being up to date on College policies in the areas of academics as well as residential life, including the College’s Student Handbook, Title IX, emergency.

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.