May 5, 1997

Alcohol director search continues

By Stephanie Allmon

fter a semester of accepting applications and interviewing candidates, the committee in charge of appointing a new Director of Alcohol and Drug Education must keep up the search.

Director of Health Services at the Memorial Health Center, Pat Hite, said the search committee is more concerned with finding "the right match for SMU" than bringing someone in by the fall semester.

"I think it's more important finding the right person who can come here and make a fit and come up with a program to build on what Sam (Brito) started here," Hite said.

Brito retired from the position in February, at which time SMU began advertising in The Dallas Morning News and accepting applications.

Over spring break, Hite brought in nine candidates, four of whom came back for interviews in April. Of the four, two had previous academic experience and three had been counselors.

"I was really impressed with the quality of people who responded to this job," said junior biology major Matt Mays, member of the search committee. "There wasn't a bad candidate."

Hite said the new director should have a master's degree in a social field, must have worked in some kind of alcohol or drug program and would have two to five years in a management position.

The qualified individual would ideally have experience working with college-age students and be able to relate to students coming from different backgrounds and with different problems.

Mays said all the candidates brought their own experiences and qualifications to the job, but none fit the "total package" for SMU.

"A few were extremely qualified, but at the same time didn't seem like they had experience in the (college) arena that we're doing here," Mays said.

Part of the "package" means taking the initiative to reach out to students and teach appropriate social skills, rather than waiting for students to come to the counselor. The alcohol center will strive to reach out to students, offering a more pro-active approach to teaching responsible behavior.

"Health care in general is outreach, not staying cubby-holed in a building," Hite said. "We need to be out interacting with people to try to help people manage their lives."

Hite said ideally he would like to see someone appointed by July or August, but it is not necessary. Until a new director is named, Chico West will continue to act as interim director for the Center of Alcohol and Drug Education.

"He's a great guy and he does a wonderful job with it," Hite said.

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