HREO Operational Review Begins
April 18, 2012 - Campus Bulletin
The University of Guelph will begin an operational review of its Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO). The review will be conducted by the consulting firm Institute on Governance and will be guided by a steering committee chaired by Don O’Leary, U of G vice-president (finance and administration).
Established in 1996, the HREO provides leadership on issues such as discrimination, harassment, employment equity and accessibility.
Former director Patrick Case, who had held the position since 1999, stepped down in January. Brenda Whiteside, associate vice-president (student affairs), is serving as interim HREO director.
“Now is an ideal opportunity to complete an operational review of HREO and to assess whether changes should be made to maintain and enhance services,” O’Leary says.
“The University is both a champion and a leader in human rights and equity. We are proud of our achievements in this area both as an employer and as an institution.”
Within the context of the HREO’s present mandate, role and policies, the comprehensive review will examine the office’s primary operations processes, including case management procedures, and will identify best practices. Reviewers will also analyze the HREO’s organizational and reporting structure before offering recommendations.
The process will involve discussions with campus groups, interviews with key stakeholders, and a survey of faculty, staff and students, which is available online.
The review is intended to ensure that the office’s structure and case management meet the needs of faculty, staff and students, and to determine whether to introduce new initiatives promoting fairness and equity, O’Leary says.
The Institute on Governance is an independent not-for-profit public-interest organization providing knowledge, research and advice on governance issues.
