Director of Residential Life M. L. Langlie will be trading her office in Speare Hall for “blue jeans and a sweatshirt” when she steps down from her position April 30.

Langlie said her resignation, something she has been considering for the last few months, stems from a need for her to fulfill her professional goal — becoming a vice president for student affairs.

And the last obstacle she sees in front of her is the completion of her Doctorate degree, which she has been working on at Northeastern since 1997.

“In my line of work a doctorate is important,” Langlie said, “and it just makes sense that I make it a priority and finish it.”

Already enrolled in the Law, Policy and Society program at Northeastern, Langlie said she only needs to complete her dissertation to earn her degree, and hopes to graduate by May 2005.

In the meantime, plans will move ahead to find a new director of the office central to student life.

Vice President for Student Affairs Ed Klotzbier said a search will begin shortly, both internally and externally. He said he hopes to have someone in office by July 1 to begin preparing for the fall semester.

Klotzbier said he would like to see “somebody who is deeply committed to students” and “cares about the quality of life in a student experience at Northeastern” fill the post.

He declined to name anyone in particular, saying it is still too early in the search process.

“I think this is a great time to join Northeastern; I think you’re going to find a lot of good candidates wanting to come join Northeastern’s team,” Klotzbier said.

He said, however, he is pleased with the way the office is currently run and hopes a new director will be as committed to the “24/7” job as Langlie is.

While Student Government Association President Michael Romano said he was surprised to hear about Langlie’s resignation, he said it is time for a change in Residential Life.

“I think it’s unfortunate to lose someone who has the experience and the time here, but it’s also encouraging to have the opportunity to make right some old wrongs,” Romano said.

One of the old wrongs Romano was referring to was a policy Langlie attempted to implement in 1999.

To combat underage drinking on campus, she invoked a system commonly known as the “bag check policy,” which would give Community Receptions the right to check students’ bags.

However, she failed to make clear her intentions, and students protested.

“I think, rightfully so, there was a level of apprehension after the failure of the bag check policy,” Romano said, “but there are some areas that just need action.”

Klotzbier said, however, Langlie did take action on other projects, starting the new student orientation program which she ran for four years before stepping into her current position. He said she also helped in the process of creating West Campus.

“She’s a very student centered person,” Klotzbier said. “She’s always cared for her students and worked hard to make their experience here first rate.”

One of Langlie’s many responsibilities was to directly oversee the Residential Life staff, including the Resident Student Association (RSA) and Resident Assistants and Directors.

RSA President Scott Minkin hopes students will have the opportunity to sit on the selection committee looking to find Langlie’s successor. He said whoever that person is will have big shoes to fill.

“When she came into the office, the department was nowhere near the good condition it is now, and I think she’s very directly responsible for the progress that’s been made,” Minkin said.

However, he understands Langlie needs to do something for herself and he admires the decision she made to step down.

“I’m really proud that she’s, sort of, running with her dreams and doing what she thinks is best for her,” Minkin said. “She would make an excellent vice president for student affairs. I guess I’m proud of her, ultimately.”