USU Affirmative Action Office introduces new staff members
Utah State University’s Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Office introduced two new additions to its staff with an open house last Thursday. Hilary Renshaw and Alison Adams-Perlac had the opportunity to discuss their experience, their new roles in the office, and their goals.
USU Provost Frank Galey introduced Renshaw and Adams-Perlac in the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art on Thursday, praising the work they have done so far.
“I’m sure this great blend of expertise and enthusiasm will help transform our campus,” Galey said of the duo.
Renshaw has been in her new role as Title IX Coordinator since November. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits federally-funded programs from discriminating on the basis of gender.
Renshaw said that she feels privileged to be working at USU and is excited to be able to help others in the process. Renshaw comes from Baton Rouge and her work with nonprofits and law school prepared her to take on this role.
“Everyone works really hard and there’s a lot of work to do,” Renshaw said. “We want to build trust with our students and faculty and create a safe environment.”
Adams-Perlac became the new director of the AAEO in December. She has more than 10 years of experience in Utah courts and will direct compliance with anti-discrimination and Title IX regulations for USU.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to be a part of such a big effort and assist change,” Adams-Perlac said. “I hope we can work to improve the process and tighten the timeframes and procedures of assisting victims of sexual assault.”
Galey said Adams-Perlac’s knowledge, skills and compassion will serve USU students and employees well.
This new staff in the AAEO comes after a year of several high-profile sexual violence stories, including investigations in the music department. The AAEO works closely with SAAVI, and the last Title IX director, Stacy Sturgeon, voluntarily resigned last year after reports found that the office didn’t do enough to help students in the music department with their cases.
Both Renshaw and Adams-Perlac are confident that they will be able to move forward this year with changes that will better help students, staff, and the community. Renshaw said she plans to continue working on preventing sexual misconduct cases by educating the campus and planning on how to best help the cases that come to the office.
Adams-Perlac has similar goals. “I’m excited to help our office do our best to keep the campus safe for everyone,” she said. “I want anyone in the community to know that if they have concern that someone might be a victim or that someone is harming another, report it to us. Have faith in our process and let us help.”
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