History of the UF Division of Student Affairs | Page 62

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Dean of Students Office
The Dean of Students Office (DSO) has undergone a complete transformation
in structure since its founding days; however, the overall functions and services
have remained the same, with student development continuing to be the primary
function of the office. The Dean of Students Office has adapted to new trends,
new political structures, and new types of students within higher education —
the key to successfully carrying out the mission of the office and the institution.
Many of DSO’s current functions and services originated in the offices of Dean
of Men and Dean of Women. The Dean of Men’s Office was established in the
1920s while the Dean of Women’s Office was established in 1948, the year after
the institution officially became coeducational. The first Dean of Women was Dr.
Marna Brady, and at the time, Mr. Robert Beaty was the Dean of Men.
Many of the functions and services of both offices were related to the expectation
that UF would serve in the place of the parents (in loco parentis) when dealing with
students. Staffs of both offices also advised student groups such as fraternities
and sororities, student government, and service and honorary organizations;
coordinated new student orientation; provided short term counseling; and
handled student crises. Another important function was coordinating judicial
processes. In addition, the staff of the Dean of Women’s Office was responsible
for advising the Women’s Student Association, the student group responsible
for enforcing rules and regulations that applied specifically to women students
on matters such as curfews and dress codes.
In 1966, Dr. Marna Brady retired as Dean of Women. Her successor, Dr. Betty
Cosby, served as the second and ultimately the last Dean of Women. At this time,
Dr. Frank Adams was the Dean of Men. During Dean Cosby’s tenure, significant
changes directly affecting women occurred, most notably the abolition of
the dress code, the elimination of curfews, and the elimination of other rules
specifically designed for women. In the late 1960s, in loco parentis was replaced
by increased student rights and demands. Changes in the world and in higher
education as a whole would soon bring major changes to UF and to the Dean of
Men’s and the Dean of Women’s Offices.

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