Purdue News

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: A photograph of Charlotte F. Westerhaus is available from the Purdue News Service. December 4, 1998 Westerhaus to direct affirmative action at Purdue WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University has named Charlotte F. Westerhaus as its new director of affirmative action, a position she has held on an interim basis since September. Westerhaus, who was selected for the directorship following a national search, came to Purdue from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, where she was an assistant to the chancellor for equity and diversity. Her new appointment is subject to confirmation by the Purdue Board of Trustees. "Purdue University is fortunate to have Ms. Westerhaus," said Alysa C. Rollock, Purdue's interim vice president for human relations. "She brings to this job not only invaluable legal and university experience, but also a contagious enthusiasm and focused vision that can help us make major strides in recruiting and retaining diverse faculty and staff." Westerhaus said she welcomes the challenge. "When I came here, I was well aware that there had been negative publicity in the media concerning Purdue and its affirmative action efforts," Westerhaus said. "What I found, however, was strong administrative and faculty support for diversity. "Yes, there are challenges and we as a collective university have work to do, but there is a willingness and resolve to get the job done. I am very encouraged." She also is spreading the word that equal employment opportunities aren't just for minorities. "Equal employment opportunity is here to protect everyone," she said. "It is here for our veterans. It protects anyone who has a religious preference or who comes from a different ethnic background. It supports all of us against age discrimination." The Affirmative Action Office at Purdue is charged with providing leadership in developing and directing the university's equal employment opportunity and affirmative action programs through activities that include: Promoting affirmative action in all hiring and retention. Serving as a resource in matters related to affirmative action and equal employment opportunity. Sponsoring educational programs on affirmative action, equal opportunity, nondiscrimination and related issues. Providing information useful in evaluating progress and good-faith efforts; Investigating and resolving employee discrimination complaints and grievances. Assuring compliance with federal and state affirmative action requirements. Other offices within Rollock's area include the Diversity Resource Office, the Women's Resource Office and the Spousal Relocation Assistance Program. Westerhaus had served as assistant to the chancellor at Wisconsin-Parkside, located in Kenosha, since 1996. She was responsible for recruitment strategies, diversity training, responses to complaints concerning harassment or employment, and affirmative action reporting and procedures. She also taught classes in sociology and race relations. She practiced law for four years and clerked for Brent Dickson, associate justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. She also was the assistant dean of students for residence life and judicial affairs at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif. Originally from Cleveland, she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and her law degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, where she was an assistant editor of the Indiana Law Journal. Sources: Charlotte F. Westerhaus, (765) 494-7254; e-mail, cfwesterhaus@humanrel.purdue.edu Alysa C. Rollock (765) 494-5830; e-mail, acrollock@humanrel.purdue.edu Writer: Jeanne V. Norberg, (765) 494-2096; e-mail, jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu