11/09/07

Students worrying about the lack of bodies in the student development office can rest at ease for a while as Dean of Students Cassy Bailey arrived on campus Nov. 1.

While Bailey is new to campus, her husband, Erik, is a 1991 Baker graduate and her father-in-law is Walt Bailey, special assistant to the president for development of the arts.

Bailey said so far Baker’s student development office is different than her previous job at Hendrix College in Arkansas

“I cannot believe how quiet it is around here,” she said. “I’m ready to put the student back into student development.” (Story continued below.)

Watch KNBU-TV's interview with new Dean of Students Cassy Bailey, part of Inside Baker.<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/KNBU" target="_blank">Inside Baker.</a> Inside Baker.

Denious Hall Director Dominique Adkins said Bailey introduced herself to the hall staff at its meeting Monday, and she’s looking forward to what Bailey will bring to Baker.

“I think she’s only going to add to the dynamic we already have in student development,” she said. “I think she’s someone people will feel incredibly comfortable going and talking to.”

Senior Michelle Burton said Bailey also introduced herself to Panhellenic Tuesday.

“I think she’s very nice, down-to-earth and seems really laid-back,” she said. “She has a strong open-door policy and is genuinely concerned about students.”

Bailey said she’s enjoyed her time so far on campus.

“I’ve met a lot of people, and I’ve listened an amazing amount,” she said. “Everyone has been incredibly welcoming.”

Bailey said her husband, who teaches third grade in Little Rock, Ark., wouldn’t be able to join her in Baldwin City until his teaching contract runs out in June. In the meantime, her children, Emma, 8, and Jacob, 6, started school Monday.

“They’re doing good and having so much fun,” she said. “They’re doing a great job of transitioning.”

Bailey, who will meet her husband every other weekend in Tulsa, Okla., said leaving Hendrix wasn’t easy.

“I loved the students at Hendrix,” she said. “It would have been even harder to leave if I wasn’t so excited about where I was going.”

Bailey said some of the first items she’ll be addressing are the replacement of former Student Life Coordinator Kim Hubbel, who resigned in mid-October, and discussion about whether Baker will hire a new greek life coordinator to replace Bryan VanOsdale, who resigned in June.

Bailey said one of her priorities is getting to know students and will be hosting a number of events next week to give students an opportunity to meet her.