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The Rice Thresher
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by JULIE TAM FOR THE THRESHER
Russell Barnes will make sure that all Rice employees are treated fairly in his new position as Director of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action. Barnes' new job entails ensuring that employees, especially women and minorities, receive a fair chance for positions and are properly recognized for their work. Barnes, who has been assistant director of Human Resources for seven years, will replace Catherine Keneally, who is retiring. "I want to make everyone on this campus feel that they are welcome and to continue the outreach to the surrounding community, so that they know that Rice is a good place to work and foster education," Barnes said. As former assistant director of Human Resources, Barnes' duties included problem solving in faculty and staff relations, handling employee grievances, recognizing and rewarding outstanding employees and conducting exit interviews. In addition, Barnes dealt with more sensitive matters, such as investigating allegations of sexual and racial harassment, working with hardship employees and working with staff members after the death of an employee. "I will miss the complexity of the problem solving because I think that is my strongest skill," Barnes said. Barnes said he has gained extensive experience in group conflict resolution from his prior job experience. He feels he has a capacity for listening to people and showing compassion. General Counsel Shirley Redwine led the search committee that unanimously recommended Barnes to President Malcolm Gillis. "Russell is well-respected on campus and has a reputation for being a fair and thoughtful person. He has earned the trust of a lot of people on campus," she said. Redwine also said the search committee decided it was better for the university to promote from within, rather than hire someone from outside the community. In an e-mail announcement of Barnes' appointment, Gillis said that Barnes will "continue to support and advance diversity on our campus and be responsible for ensuring that Rice remains in compliance with all federal requirements." Kyle Cavanaugh, associate vice president for Human Resources and member of the search committee, said there needs to be more collaboration between the Office of Human Resources and the Equal Opportunity Employment and Affirmative Action Office. Barnes, having already established connections between the two departments, was the perfect candidate to take the lead in improving rapport. Cavanaugh said he looks forward to working with Barnes in his new capacity. The search committee is currently seeking someone to fill Barnes' position, Gillis said. In the past week, 40 candidates have applied for the position and Cavanaugh has already conducted several interviews with prospective employees. "I could hire someone with all the necessary credentials tonight, but I want to take time to find the right person," Cavanaugh said. Barnes said he looks forward to more personal interaction in his new position. He said one of his challenges will be "identifying initiatives that are proactive rather than reactive in nature - solving problems before they arise." During his time at Rice, Barnes has served under former provosts and Cavanaugh and on Gillis' Minority Advisory Committee. - back -
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of: The Rice Thresher, Rice University MS-524, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@listserv.rice.edu |
