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By Larry B. Dendy
ldendy@uga.edu
As acting vice president for instruction, Tom Dyer has won praise for bolstering teaching at the  university through such innovations as bringing instruction, advising and academic assistance into student residence halls and creating a special program to introduce new freshmen to college life.
Dyer will continue to be the university’s chief point person for instruction, but he will be permanent vice president, rather than acting, now that the position is officially part of UGA’s administrative structure.
The University Council at its Sept. 28 meeting changed the University Statutes to establish the position of vice president for instruction and associate provost. Dyer has held the position on an acting basis since March of 1999, when Karen Hol-brook, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, appointed him.
Holbrook says that “acting” will be removed from the position title, and she will appoint Dyer to the new position. The appointment is subject to approval by the University System Board of Regents.
“Tom has undertaken this position with enthusiasm and zeal, and has made many significant changes to help integrate scholarship into all aspects of student life, particularly within the residence halls,” Holbrook says. “The list of ideas he has brought to bear and to fruition is extensive, and I have heard nothing but enthusiasm for his creativity and ability. There is no question that he is an ideal person to fill this crucial position.”
Prior to the full University Council meeting, Holbrook received unanimous support from the University Council Executive Committee to remove “acting” from the position title and to name Dyer as vice president.
Holbrook told the committee she was confident Dyer would emerge as the best-qualified candidate if a search were conducted. She emphasized that this was a one-time-only appointment of this nature, based on the unique circumstances of the situation.
In cooperation with the university housing department, Dyer has started or supported a number of initiatives to strengthen teaching at the undergraduate level. Many of the programs involve putting teaching, advising and scholarly programs in student residence halls.
Some freshman seminars are taught in residence halls, and the English department conducts classes in Oglethorpe House. Academic advisers for the College of Arts and Sciences have offices in Brumby and Creswell halls, and the Honors Program has an advising office in Boggs Hall.
Two wings of Mary Lyndon Hall have been turned into language communities for students studying Spanish and French language and culture. Students live and meet in the communities, speaking primarily the designated language for each wing. Each has a language computer lab and kitchens where students can cook food common to each country.
Instructors and counselors from the university’s Division of Academic Assistance go to residence halls to teach classes, conduct tutoring sessions and offer help with time management and study habits.
Special classes are held in several residence halls to help students better learn to use computers. And arrangements have been made for visiting scholars and artists to live in an apartment in Brumby Hall, where they can have closer contact with students.
The first Freshman College, which allows incoming freshmen to take an early dip into academic life, was held during summer semester this year. A total of 168 freshmen lived in Oglethorpe House and took six hours of course work while attending programs to help them in the transition to college life.
Dyer has also been instrumental in creating two other instruction-centered programs: the Teaching Academy, which develops faculty leadership to support instruction, and a post-doctoral teaching fellows program, which enables post-doctoral students to gain classroom teaching experience while working in their academic areas.
Along with strengthening instructional programs, Dyer also oversees several administrative units, including the registrar’s and undergraduate admissions offices, the faculty affairs office and the office that administers UGA’s academic honesty policy.
Dyer is University Professor of Higher Education and History and the author of four books. |
