Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
April 26, 2024

Levering Hall head quits Hopkins - University begins process of searching for Clemm's replacement

By Anita Bhansali | February 5, 2004

He had the position that puts the "Student Union" in Levering Hall. For what its worth, William L. Clemm II was in charge of all student programming in this old brick building, which is "purposefully designed to promote, enhance and provide social, cultural, multi cultural and recreational involvement opportunities for students, faculty and staff of the Johns Hopkins University," according to the University Web site.

However, since he vacated the position last month for another job, the position of Assistant Director of Levering Student Union remains open.

Effective Dec. 5, Clemm left the assistant directorship to return to his alma mater, Morgan State University, where he has accepted the position of Coordinator of University Events. The University hopes to have his former position filled by June.

His position at Levering, included in the Department of Student Development and Programming, gave him complete management of the Levering Student Union building and the events within, according to Cynthia May, Student Services assistant and Clemm's assistant.

"He oversaw everything within the building, including E-Level," she said. "[He was also] responsible for student employees and programming in this building. Anybody that wants an event on [the campus] has to go through his office."

As director, Clemm instituted Greek Day and Athlete Day discounts at E-Level, as well as free daytime showings of popular films in Arellano Theater.

Students, however, felt that programming at Levering had yet to achieve real popularity or success among undergraduates.

"I have heard about those deals [instituted by Clemm], but never really thought about going," said senior Rich Chen, who is a brother of Pi Kappa Alpha.

As part of the Office of Student Life, which also includes Greek Life and multicultural affairs, Levering management is meant to promote the Student Union's role as being The Union provides van rental services, newspaper subscriptions and running E-Level.

The University has full intention of keeping and filling the position, although May suggested that the job description will likely include an expansion of responsibilities. The job posting "will be posted this week, and the job search will start once it's posted," she said. However, she anticipates that the University "probably won't hire anyone until May or June."

According to Jane Rhyner, who oversees Clemm's former position as director of Facilities in the Mattin Center and Levering Student Union, the job title will remain Assistant Director of Campus Programs and Levering Union.

However, the duties will "expand on wide-range campus programming. Because of the Charles Village Project, we want to make sure the person we hire is able to spread campus-wide programming."

Additional duties would include booking and creating programs at new student sites on campus, such as those that will arise with the University's Hopkins block construction project, scheduled to begin this summer. Rhyner mentioned the opening of a food court and at least one multi-purpose room on the Hopkins block by 2005. She said that the position is not just about "running the new facility," but that she hopes that the new programming director would "branch out" with programs at these new facilities.

The new Assistant Director of Campus Programs and Levering Union will do "what Will was doing, and expand on that," said Rhyner.

"If Will had stayed, he would have branched out [similarly]. There was no scandal [surrounding his leaving]. He got to work under a former boss in a [promoted] position. If he had stayed, he would have been working on the same project."

Rhyner's office hopes to have Clemm replaced by May or June. "We plan to take applications at the national conventions," said Rhyner. "We assume applicants wouldn't want to leave their [current] job in the middle of the semester. We're looking for someone with experience in programming."

The Department of Student Development and Programming hopes for "more collaboration with Greek Life, Residential Life and [other student groups], [as well as to] expand beyond E-level" stated Rhyner. She also mentioned "Levering and Beyond," a campus-wide program board which would involve students and staff: "We want [the Assistant Director] to spearhead that [whole movement]."


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