California Lutheran University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Leanne Neilson has officially announced that she will not be appointing an interim dean for the 2025-2026 academic year. As members of the largest college on campus, we believe this decision will not only negatively impact faculty but also students. 

This news comes after Neilson announced a pause in the search for a new dean during a faculty meeting on March 17. Rather than hiring a dean, Neilson has opted to continue her role as Provost and oversee dean responsibilities while utilizing associate deans to help delegate necessary tasks. 

Deans traditionally serve as a “face” for their respective colleges and help bridge gaps not only between faculty and administration, but also between students and administration. 

There’s also the matter of student input. When beginning the process of searching for a new dean, several students across majors within the College of Arts and Sciences were asked to meet with potential candidates and provide feedback. 

Among the students asked to participate were various Echo editors. These meetings took place in the middle of the school day and were roughly an hour long. From the perspective of student journalists, being asked to participate felt like a clear sign of respect for the student voice. 

By completely disregarding the time, thoughts, and opinions of students asked to participate in these meetings, Neilson has further alienated an audience she is not well acquainted with. 

This decision also raises concerns regarding the effective management of the College of Arts and Sciences. With Neilson assuming the role of both provost and dean, how will responsibilities be delegated to associate deans to ensure the smooth and effective management of the college? 

Following Neilson’s initial announcement, some faculty members expressed their dissatisfaction with this decision. With many raising valid concerns, there is something to be said about the general lack of faculty confidence and low morale. Not only does this decision devalue student opinion, but it also devalues the opinion of faculty members. 

For students, both current and prospective, a leadership void at a school known to be facing a large financial deficit communicates instability within the university. The College of Arts and Sciences deserves to have a designated person to fulfill the position of dean, to provide faculty and students with sound leadership at every level.