Ducey’s sudden and muted departure comes amid concerns from Bureau employees that the organization’s mission would be undermined by a new structure. These complaints were voiced in the March letter from 11 full-time Bureau counselors.
“If the Bureau is subsumed within a medical system, its distinct niche within the community will disappear, and before long, the Bureau and its educational niche will disappear with it,” the letter stated. “While the Bureau may remain in name and address, its distinctive nature and role will inevitably cease to exist.”
In April, Sally T. Weylman, a counselor at the Bureau who left her post in May, said her departure was motivated by concern for the future of the Bureau, which she said would flounder under the oversight of UHS.
Ducey, who did not sign the letter and would not comment on Weylman’s departure, has remained silent through much of the reorganization process, and left his post without fanfare.
Ducey’s departure was briefly noted on the Faculty of Arts and Sciences website last week.
The press release said that Ducey left his post of 18 years for “professional and personal reasons,” and noted that he was expected to continue teaching at the Extension School and the Graduate School of Education, in addition to taking up private practice in the Cambridge area.
Associate Dean of the College Thomas A. Dingman ’67 said Ducey’s departure was “a surprise.”
“I don’t know what the direct reasons were for [Ducey’s] leaving,” he said.
Dingman said he was aware the reorganization of the offices might mean some personnel shuffling.
“There’s been talk of greater coordination and steps that had been taken,” Dingman said. “I think there will be sort of an ongoing look at how services are organized.”
Rosenthal said that in his first weeks at his new post, Barreira has been working with Bureau, College and UHS staffers to determine the structure of the two organizations and work out the kinks of his leadership.
“One thing [Barreira] will be doing is looking at the needs of the Bureau and the college,” Rosenthal said, noting that Barreira was working on setting up an office staff of his own, with help from the Bureau.
Neither Ducey nor Barreira could be reached for comment for this article.
“I think what the Bureau has been and will continue to be is a very comforting entryway for students who need counseling and guidance, who are having adjustment issues,” Rosenthal said. “This has been a very highly appreciated service by the students…Dr. Barreira is very interested in seeing that this continues.”
—Staff writer Rebecca D. O’Brien can be reached at robrien@fas.harvard.edu.