Purdue News

August 10, 1998 Purdue names interim director of affirmative action WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue University has named Charlotte F. Westerhaus, an assistant to the chancellor for equity and diversity at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, as its interim director of affirmative action. Charlotte F. Westerhaus "Ms. Westerhaus brings to the job both university and legal experience that will be invaluable in this position," said Alysa C. Rollock, Purdue's interim vice president for human relations. Westerhaus, whose office reports to Rollock, will begin work Sept. 1. "I'm pleased she has agreed to the appointment, providing Purdue with leadership in this important area while we conduct a national search for a person to assume that role on a permanent basis. "She will be charged with helping the university embrace both the goals and the spirit of equal opportunity and affirmative action," Rollock said. The Affirmative Action Office at Purdue is charged with providing leadership in developing and directing the university's 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 has served as assistant to the chancellor at Wisconsin-Parkside, located in Kenosha, since 1996. There she was responsible for recruitment strategies, diversity training, responses to complaints concerning harassment or employment, and affirmative action reporting and procedures. 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. At Wisconsin, she also taught classes in sociology and race relations. 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. She has family in the Lafayette and Indianapolis area. Sources: Charlotte F. Westerhaus, (414) 595-2396; Alysa C. Rollock (765) 494-5830; email, 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 NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: A photograph of Charlotte F. Westerhaus is available from the Purdue News Service. To the Purdue News and Photos Page