Ben Farrell, former associate director of residential education, left the College at the end of January.
“Ben Farrell is no longer working at the College,” Director of Residential Life Mary Pat McMahon wrote in an email to ResLife staff members on January 25. “He is currently pursuing some interesting creative and professional opportunities. We wish him well in his next steps.”
McMahon also sent the email to Howell House residents, as Farrell served as their staff advisor.
“Chris Rossi will take on many of Ben’s responsibilities including serving as primary point person for the ResLife student staff,” McMahon wrote.
Farrell’s last day at Bowdoin was January 25. The reasons for his departure are unclear.
“I won’t comment on personnel changes,” McMahon said.
Farrell’s temporary replacement, Michael Wood ’06, began working in the Residential Life office on Monday, January 28.
“He’s somewhat on loan from the first-year dean’s office,” McMahon said. “He’s working a day and a half for the first year programs, and three days for us.”
“We were looking for someone who could walk in on short notice and be a really valuable resource,” she said. Wood served as a proctor and a head proctor during his time at Bowdoin and will advise Burnett and Reed Houses.
Residential Life will soon begin the search process to permanently replace Farrell and Rossi, assistant director of residential life, whose contract expires in June.
The deadline for student applications to Residential Life was January 30, though a handful of applicants were given extensions due to submission difficulties while studying abroad.
Residential Life also gave extensions to “a few juniors who are choosing not to study away,” McMahon said.
Eighty-three new students and 49 returners have applied to be proctors and RAs for next academic year. There are only 71 positions available for a total of 132 applicants. This number is down from last year, when 145 students applied.
Proctor and RA decisions will be announced before Spring Break.
Editor's Note: The original version of this article did not include the full quote from McMahon regarding Farrell's departure. It has been modified to correct this omission.