Vol. 20, No. 1

Sept. 7, 2000

Dean of Students to retire after 20 years of UD service

University of Delaware's long-time student advocate Timothy F. Brooks, assistant vice president and dean of students, announced Aug. 25 that he will retire from UD June 1, 2001, after more than 20 years of service. Brooks, 55, who came to Delaware in 1979, will leave behind a legacy of helping students achieve their goals. "Seeing a student who has really struggled succeed, not only here, but also in her or his career, is an incredible perk of the job," he said. "That is an aspect of my position that I enjoy immensely–having the ability to help students, to be an advocate for them." Reminders of Brooks' positive impact on students are stored in a filing cabinet in his office. A large folder full of thank-you notes is cited as one of the reasons why he's stayed for so long in his challenging job. Brooks said he plans to collect the notes in an album as a retirement gift to himself. "I think this office has done a great job of helping students," he said. "There are quite a few students, who, without our help, would not have graduated. That has to make you feel good!" During Brooks' years of service, the University has seen the size of the graduating class increase by more than 1,000 students, with the average around 4,000 currently. Since 1979, some 57,584 students have joined the ranks of UD alumni. Known for his strong, but supportive, hand in disciplining students, Brooks said the hardest part of his job has been dealing with crises. "Dealing with student tragedy is draining," he said. "I am a very emotional person and each time a tragedy occurs I get close to the students and families. It never gets easier." As dean of students, Brooks oversees all aspects of student discipline, crisis management, volunteerism and Greek life. He also serves as liaison on student behavior with the city of Newark. Two of the most notable programs implemented during his tenure, he said, are the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-sponsored project to curb abusive drinking and the five-star rating system for fraternities and sororities. Vice President for Student Life Roland Smith said Brooks' absence will be felt throughout the University. "He has served the Division of Student Life and the University with exceptional dedication and leadership," Smith said, "and he will be sorely missed." Smith said discussions about filling the position when Brooks retires will occur later in the academic year. Brooks said he feels he has accomplished all he can in his position. "It has been a fantastic experience, but also an extremely stressful job. As dean of students, I am on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week." Ready to take on a position that allows him more free time to spend with his family, Brooks said he is considering working with agencies that support persons with disabilities or volunteering with the National Park Service. He currently is chairperson of the Governor's Council for the Mentally Retarded. A fitness fanatic, Brooks said he also may try his hand at promoting physical fitness in adults, something about which he feels strongly. "Without exercise, there is no way I would have been able to handle the stress of this position," he said. "I have always placed great importance on physical fitness in my own life, and I think there is a lot of work to be done for promoting it in the lives of middle-aged adults." In his position, Brooks said he has been able to experience what he calls "the incredible changes" that have taken place at the University as a whole. "UD has increased positively, in every sense–the faculty, the physical plant and the quality of students," he said. "The students have definitely changed," he continued. "They are more consumer-oriented and much better academically and technically. The diversity of the student body has also increased, and more students are involved in part-time work than ever before. "My main regret in leaving will be that I will no longer have the opportunity to work with all of the wonderful people who make up the University community. There have been some interesting and trying times, but I am proud to have been a part of UD for 21 years. "It has been a fantastic experience!"