Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action
Mission Statement
The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) insures that the University of Hawai'i at Hilo is in compliance with federal and state laws, executive orders, and University and campus policies and procedures pertaining to EEO/AA matters.
The Director advises the Chancellor, administrators, faculty and staff on all matters related to EEO/AA programs and compliance guidelines; develops, implements and conducts educational training programs and workshops on sexual harassment and discrimination; advises search committees; oversees the campus affirmative action programs and prepares the annual affirmative action plan updates; prepares other federally mandated reports; conducts fact-finding investigations of discrimination complaints filed under University procedures; investigates and prepares campus responses to charges filed with external agencies; produces educational materials to publicize EEO/AA information to students and employees.
Often issues pertaining to affirmative action, diversity and equal education/employment opportunity are only discussed when there is a pending controversy or crisis. Consequently, these discussions tend to be infused with emotion and sensationalism. Those who wish to have a professional paradigm of what affirmative action, diversity and equal education/employment opportunity are designed to address in institutions of higher education are urged to read the following article and book on this subject.
Myrtle Reul Article
"Did You Ask Me If I Love My Job?: The precarious position of the EEO Officer in higher education" by Myrtle Reul, Ph.D.
Source Book
Affirmative Action in Higher Education: A Source Book by Lois Vander Waerdt, M.A., J.D. UH Hilo Library Call Number: LB2331.72.V36 (1997) Reserve.
Office Staff
Patricia Okamura, Interim Director
EEO/AA, Title VI, Title IX
Phone: (808) 933-0824
Fax: (808) 933-0824
E-mail: eeoaa@hawaii.edu
Shana Kaneshiro, Office Assistant
E-mail: shanak@hawaii.edu
Outside Links
Federal Compliance Agencies
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Office of Civil Rights (OCR)
- Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)