The University of Colorado at Boulder received high marks from the U.S. Department of Labor, Denver District of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs in a recent evaluation of the university's equal employment policies and practices.
According to Garnett Tatum, director of CU-Boulder's Department of Equal Opportunity, the compliance officer found no deficiencies or violations in the evaluation, a rather unprecedented finding. The compliance officer also commended university officials and staff for their straightforward responses and the use of an electronic format for gathering data on affirmative action practices.
"I am pleased with the outcome of the EEO compliance evaluation," said Chancellor Richard L. Byyny. "We continually strive to make CU-Boulder an equitable place for everyone to work, live and learn. I want to thank our faculty, staff and students for their work to further develop a campus environment that supports and encourages gender, racial/ethnic and cultural diversity in our approaches to scholarly work and teaching."
Federal regulations require agencies that contract with the federal government to obtain clearances from the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs prior to awarding service contracts of $1 million or more. The OFCCP periodically conducts a review to ensure that the contracting agency is in compliance.
The review consisted of an audit of the university's organizational profile and job groups, including minorities and women, and affirmative action goals and progress. Specific data examined included applicants and hires, placements, promotions, terminations and compensation information.
Tatum noted that key contributions by members of the campus community made the review a successful one.
"I am grateful for help from several people on campus who provided information that allowed us to examine CU-Boulder in a meaningful way," he said.
Tatum commended "the vast quality and quantity of work by Lou McClelland, Robert Stubbs and David Deffenbacher of the Office of Planning, Budget and Analysis, to help us get the affirmative action program in an electronic format. The compliance officer found it easy to research our practices and we found it convenient to respond to their questions."
The affirmative action program allows administrators and managers to review the work force so that the university can ensure that jobs are filled on an equitable basis and that diversity is enhanced. Tatum will work with the affirmative action coordinators for each vice chancellor's area to implement the program.
Other primary contributors included Maren Additon, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs; Sheryl Jensen, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research; Susan Kent, associate vice chancellor for faculty affairs; Jacci Mckenna, Department of Human Resources; Robin Newsome-Suitts, Office of the Vice Chancellor for administration; Louise Romero, university counsel; and Amy Weinstein, Chancellor's Office.
The Department of Equal Opportunity is responsible for designing and implementing the Boulder campus affirmative action program, which includes ensuring compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all subsequent federal and state civil rights laws and regulations.
The department also offers a variety of services to faculty, staff, students and visitors to CU-Boulder related to equal educational and employment opportunities, and physical and programmatic access to the Boulder campus.
For more information, call (303) 492-6706 or visit the Web site at .