by Jason Kleymann
Daily Lobo
UNM's Office of Equal Opportunity will be getting another leader.
Arthur Gonzales, benefits manager for Human Relations at UNM, will take over as director of the Office of Equal Opportunity on Oct. 17.
Gonzales has been at UNM for 28 years. He received a bachelor's and master's degree from the University, and has worked in Human Resources and offices of equal opportunity at Los Alamos National Laboratory, the U.S. Air Force and the departments of energy and agriculture.
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Gonzales said the first thing he plans on doing in the position is evaluating the work left by the current director, Theresa Ramos.
Ramos has been the interim director of the department since June 2003.
Gonzales acknowledged Ramos' hard work over the last two years to accomplish the objectives of the office, and said she will be an invaluable asset.
The Office of Equal Opportunity is responsible for ensuring the University complies with state and federal laws against discrimination, according to its Web site.
Gonzales said the office is responsible for investigating claims of discrimination and for developing an Affirmative Action Plan for the University, an annual report released by the University to comply with federal regulation.
The report evaluates and advises different UNM departments as to whether they have faculty or staff positions in which minorities or women are underrepresented.
"We (UNM) are currently, and have been in the past, underrepresented and we need to deal with it," Gonzales said.
He said in his time as benefits manager he had to work with the Office of Equal Opportunity often to fill underrepresented positions at UNM.
"We had to advertise open job opportunities to underrepresented groups through different media that were specific to each situation," Gonzales said.
Susan Carkeek, associate vice president of Human Resources, said Gonzales was the most qualified candidate for the position because of time spent at UNM, both as a student and administrator.
"The background that he brings, he is certainly familiar with University policies and procedures, and a lot of the people," Carkeek said. "I think he can be up and running more quickly than someone who would have to come in and learn more about us from the outside."
Gonzales also noted how his experience as both a student and a staff member are advantageous to him in his upcoming position.
"That's one thing that I'm bringing to the job - that is an advantage that maybe others don't have - is the fact that I was a student here," Gonzales said.
Caldera was enthusiastic about Gonzales' experience.
"As a UNM alum, UNM employee and native New Mexican, Art brings a unique perspective to the senior leadership of the University," Caldera said.
The direct relationship to Caldera was another point Gonzales made.
"I'll be reporting directly to the president, so I need to be very aware and cognizant of what plans and goals he has for the University to make sure that whatever interfaces we have in the OEO that tie in with his plans are also achieved to the best of my ability," Gonzales said.
He emphasized the importance of his contact with all aspects of UNM.
"This position has direct contact and impact with all the three elements - our faculty, our staff and our students." Gonzales said.
