Kansas University’s Strong Hall is home to the Office of the Dean of Students and the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success.

The difference between them has baffled some.

“It can be confusing for students to know which office to go to for what,” said Marlesa Roney, vice provost for student success.

Roney said that’s why the university was dropping its Dean of Students post and merging the two offices.

“The goal is clear, visible service to students,” she said.

Roney said the physical combining of the offices would take place in the spring.

The Dean of Students post has been held temporarily by Frank DeSalvo after the abrupt firing of Richard Johnson in April. Instead of the dean position, KU will hire an associate vice provost. The title is different, but the duties will be similar, Roney said.

A search committee that’s been formed is expected to meet by the end of the first week of October, Roney said. With that meeting will be the launch of a national search process.

Roney said she hoped a candidate would be named in March or April, and a new associate vice provost would begin work about June 1.

Merging the offices will send a clear message to students that there is not just one person in the role of student support, but a team of people, Roney said.

Among its roles, the Dean of Students Office helps monitor the quality of the campus environment, coordinates the response to campus and student emergencies and coordinates student discipline programs. All of its functions will become part of the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success.