The Llama Ledger - Bard College at Simon's Rock's Student Newspaper

Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Adrianna Hitchins Registrar Rochelle Duffy (right) with Associate Registrar Moira Buhr

Bringing the news isn't always a rewarding experience, because it forces us to admit the truth, even when we don't want to. As many of you have heard, Registrar Rochelle Duffy is printing her last course guides, filing her final priority registrations, and helping the last few students squeeze in requirements before she takes her leave of Simon's Rock.

"You try doing the same thing for eight years," said Duffy.

She's shed her share of tears over the departure, but she's set in her decision. Duffy will leave holding the record for longest stint as a registrar in recent memory, and she's a favorite with students, faculty and staff.

"Everyone has been really supportive. Most people, the only question they have is what took me so long." Duffy admitted that she originally thought last year was her final registration. Most registrars hold the same office for about four years before moving on, which Duffy says she is definitely ready to do.

The first priority on her list: a good, long vacation. "I'm going to reconnect with my personal life—I'm going to create a personal life…I guess it's all about creating a balance."

After her vacation, Duffy plans to take up hobbies, among them programming. Duffy took programming here, and she says that somewhere down the road when she's thinking of jumping back into the working world, that may be one option she explores.

"I'm not going to lie, the idea of telecommuting is really seductive," said Duffy.

As for her replacement, an ad has only just gone out requesting the replacement registrar, and the selection process is bound to take awhile. Duffy also says she wants to overlap some with the new hire, "to let her know who she can trust and who she needs to watch out for." She says she's excited for the next registrar.

Even after she's off the payroll, Duffy will still pop in from time to time. "No question I will be here for every dance concert that I'm alive for." There's also no doubt that she'll miss her longtime coworkers and each new class of students.

"The number one thing is how appreciative y'all are. I'm forever astonished when people say 'thank you' in such a genuine way when all I'm doing is my job." And still she talks excitedly about her plans, about the fantasy registrar that will fill her position, but never take her place.

"Whereever I am, I love you most," was Duffy's pre-final message to the campus (she is still here for a few more months), and the campus would say the same thing back to her.

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Contact the author: talbright@llamaledger.com

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