<p>Dean J,</p>
<p>When Dean Blackburn retires next year, how much of a change in admissions policy might UVa see? Will it take a few years for his successor to make a significant difference? I presume the BOV and the President also have great influence but by the end of 2009, President Casteen will probably be considering retirement as well.</p>
<p>I ask this question as I have a sibling that will apply for the class of 2014.</p>
<p>Whoa, I didn't know that Blackburn is retiring. Good question, and yes, you are right, Casteen won't be far behind.</p>
<p>My guess is things won't change that much since a lot of admissions stuff has to do with ratio control. I think the most change will come with how they deal with minorities/rural VA students.
And, it's going to be sad to see Casteen go. He's been terrific. And, he's the 7th president...<em>dundundunnnn</em></p>
<p>Here are links to two articles announcing Dean Blackburn's plans to retire in June of 2009.</p>
<p>John</a> A. Blackburn, U.Va.'s Longtime Dean of Admission, to Retire in June 2009</p>
<p>UVa</a> set to lose longtime dean | Charlottesville Daily Progress</p>
<p>I wonder if Dean Blackburn's announcement took the Admissions Office staff by surprise or if those folks had some inkling that he was ready hang up his reading glasses and take time to smell the roses and pursue other interests outside the University?</p>
<p>When he retires Dean Blackburn will have served as Dean of Admissions for 24 years. UVa and college admissions have undergone a radical transformation since he took over in 1985.</p>
<p>IMO he's done a very good job at UVa. He will leave behind a holistic admissions application process that looks at a prospective student's entire body of work (both in and out of the classroom) and tries to give each applicant a fair and objective opportunity to make their case for an Offer of Admission to the University.</p>
<p>I don't know if there's much likelihood of this happening, but I think an excellent choice for Dean Blackburn's replacement would be Greg W. Roberts, a Senior Assistant Dean in UVa's Admissions Office. Or that other Dean we all admire here on CC, the inestimable Dean J. </p>
<p>FWIW, I don’t think President Casteen is ready to join Dean Blackburn in retirement quite yet. I suspect he has a few more things he’d like to accomplish before relinquishing the reins of leadership at UVa. At least I hope that’s the case. I agree with Shoe on this one – he’s been a terrific president. His will be an incredible legacy IMHO; very difficult to equal for whoever eventually takes his place. Let’s hope that announcement isn’t going to happen any time soon.</p>
<p>Blackburn leaving can only be good news.</p>
<p>owait...</p>