Cornell University officials have announced two key staff appointments: Lynette Chappell-Williams has been named director of the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO), and Mary Beth Grant has been named judicial administrator (JA).

Both appointments are effective Aug. 2.

Chappell-Williams will report to Mary Opperman, vice president for human resources.

"When it comes to all matters of diversity, Lynette brings with her a wealth of knowledge, experience and positive energy," Opperman said. "She will be an outstanding addition to the university as we revitalize our efforts in the Office of Equal Opportunity and develop a strategic direction for diversity on campus. I could not be more delighted."

As director of OEO, Chappell-Williams will provide leadership in affirmative action and equal employment opportunity planning for the university. She will work closely with the soon-to-be appointed vice provost of diversity and faculty development, the university's chief affirmative action officer on all matters of diversity. In this capacity Chappell-Williams will help create and implement a strategy for affirmative action/equal employment opportunity and help develop and implement policies and programs that promote affirmative action/equal employment opportunity goals and objectives for faculty and staff. That includes investigating and resolving complaints of discrimination and/or harassment.

In addition, she is responsible for overseeing the university's compliance with government laws and regulations; building effective coalitions with both the broad campus community and the local community; and managing the Office of Equal Opportunity.

"I am delighted to be joining Cornell University," Chappell-Williams said. "I look forward to working with my colleagues to make Cornell a better place for all employees. My first goal is to make the Office of Equal Opportunity more accessible, to streamline processes for resolving issues and to be in a position to assist departments with their affirmative action goals. My second goal is to make the office a truly relevant part of the university. I want to ensure that OEO is an

effective resource for issues related to equal employment opportunity, affirmative action and diversity, including providing training on these issues. I look forward to applying my experience and enthusiasm to achieve these goals and to make Cornell the model for diversity."

President Hunter Rawlings, with the concurrence of the University Assembly, appointed Grant to a two-year term as judicial administrator. Grant, a Cornell Law School graduate, succeeds Barbara Krause, who has assumed the post of assistant secretary of the corporation and associate university counsel.

"Mary Beth has extensive experience dealing with a wide variety of people and a wide variety of human problems," said Anne Lukingbeal, chair of the JA search committee and law school associate dean and dean of students. "She has a strong litigation background, and as a Cornellian she knows the university well. As a law student here, Mary Beth was very active in student affairs and was an officer in the student government. Her undergraduate major was in social work, so she has been interested in working with people for a long time. Like many of our candidates, she is very articulate and energetic. Perhaps the quality which leaps to my mind first when I think of Mary Beth is her extraordinary enthusiasm. I think her temperament as well as her background and experience make her a terrific choice for the JA position."

As JA, Grant receives, investigates and adjudicates complaints of violations of the Campus Code of Conduct; conducts hearings before the University Hearing and Review Boards; assists in training sessions for Cornell Police, Campus Life and other university departments; and is responsible for the operation of the Office of the Judicial Administrator.

Grant said she is excited to be back in Ithaca. "It's one of the most beautiful parts of the country, and the people here appreciate their families and friends and being part of this natural beauty," she said. "The JA's office has been in great hands, and my main goal is to build on the excellent work they have been doing. I look forward to continuing to educate members of the Cornell community about the office and about the Campus Code of Conduct."

Grant most recently was a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis. She received her law degree from Cornell in 1988 and bachelor of arts degree in social work and sociology from the University of Iowa in 1984.

Chappell-Williams most recently was director of the Office of Equal Employment Activities at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She received her law degree from Ohio State University Law School in 1982 and a bachelor of science degree in psychology from James Madison University in 1979.