Press Release January 23, 2006

San José, CA — Dr. Arturo E. Ocampo, Director of Diversity, San José/Evergreen Community College District presented the final draft of the Equal Employment Opportunity Plan to the California Community College Board of Governor’s meeting on January 17.

Dr. Ocampo is the project director for the EEO plan. “This plan will provide the California Community College District’s with a model EEO plan for all community college districts in the state,” says Dr. Ocampo.

Other project specialists assisting Dr. Ocampo include Project Specialists Dr. Guadalupe Friaz, Nahareen Rahim, and Andres Segura; and Administrative Assistant Carmen Medeiros, Office of Diversity; San José/Evergreen Community College District.

"When Proposition 209 passed a few years ago, it was widely believed that we no longer had any obligation to pay attention to race and gender in hiring and retention of employees,” recalls Rosa Pérez, Chancellor, San José/Evergreen Community College District. “Our District has stayed focused and bold in its Board adopted policies that show that the laws regarding non-discrimination and equal opportunity still obligate us be diligent about these matters. No other community college district in Californiaprovides the level of aggressive review and protection that we offer at San José/Evergreen. We are extremely proud of the fact that our work has led to being a foundation for a state model.”

“The Model EEO Plan addresses the requirements of Education Code section 87106(b) by providing a model plan for compliance with Board of Governors regulations on equal employment opportunity hiring and applicable state and federal nondiscrimination statutes and for guidance in improving the equality of opportunity,” says Dr. Ocampo.

California community college districts are responsible for the preparation of an equal employment opportunity plan to be submitted and approved by the State Chancellor’s Office. “Equal Employment Opportunity” means that all qualified individuals have a full and fair opportunity to compete for hiring and promotion and to enjoy the benefits of employment with the district. Equal employment opportunity should exist at all levels and in all job categories listed in section 53004(a) of Title V. Ensuring equal employment opportunity also involves creating an environment that fosters cooperation, acceptance, democracy, and free expression of ideas and that is welcoming to all individuals. An “Equal Employment Opportunity Plan” is a written document in which a district’s work force is analyzed and specific plans and procedures are set forth for ensuring equal employment opportunity. This Model Plan will allow for efficient reviews of district plans by the districts and the Chancellor’s Office.

“Between March and July, our team will provide training to all California Community College Districts,” says Dr. Ocampo. “This plan is meant to be a model, it is up to each district to adapt it to their own special needs.”