The Dean of Students office launched their new “Mobile Dean on Duty” program the first day of classes this fall.

Jessica Genualdi / Daily Vidette Staff Photographer: Stress balls are one of the many things Rick Lewis, associate dean of the Dean of Students Office, hands out while interacting with students on campus.

    According to Lewis the idea came to him during a webinar.  It discussed how to reach out to African-American males instead of waiting for them to come to him.
    He decided to apply the same concept to the ISU students.
    “Students have that contact now. They know who Rick Lewis is,” Lewis said.
    Lewis plans to be on the Quad twice a month for two hours to answer questions and engage steeeeeeu   dents in the Dean of Students programs and services. Lewis will be stationed in the crossways between Schroeder Hall, Moulton Hall and the bridge over College Avenue.
    In addition to answering questions, Lewis will distribute business cards and handouts about the office, as well as pens and chilled water as an extra incentive to students.
    Lewis said, “The key here is not losing the human interaction. That’s important.”
    Brian Hamill, senior recreation and park administration management major, said, “I think it’s a great idea [but it] needs to be advertised more. I had no idea this was going on.”
    As the program is still very new Lewis said there was plenty of room to grow. Only time will tell how the program will grow and evolve.
    “There are all kinds of possibilities. There are all kinds of ways to approach this. There are always new things we want to try,” Lewis said.