News Brief

Affirmative action office head leaves U. Executive Director for the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs Valerie Hayes left her post on Saturday. On March 17, Hayes will assume a new position at Yale University, as director of the Office for Equal Opportunity Programs and special adviser to the provost. "Connecticut is her home state," Office of the President Spokeswoman Barbara McNeil said, "so I imagine that it's a good move for her." "I am delighted to welcome Valerie back to Connecticut and to our campus," Yale Provost Susan Hockfield said in a statement. "I know that Valerie will stimulate [university-wide collaborative] efforts and that the university community will benefit immeasureably from her presence." Hayes took her position at Penn in 1997. During her tenure, she worked to create campus and regional programs to promote awareness of diversity issues. According to McNeil, a search will begin and a new executive director for the office should be identified by the end of the academic year. Until a replacement for Hayes is selected, the investigative, reporting and compliance functions of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs will be managed through other offices. -- Alyssa Beaver