Spring Break
Ravinsky to provide more training for employees
Mike Hess
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News
Michele Ravinsky will take over as the Executive Director of The Office of Equal Opportunity at Drexel March 1, replacing Rhonda Karp, who is retiring.
Ravinsky has been a lawyer for the past 15 years, specializing in employment law and representing many people in harassment cases.
Ravinsky said in her opinion, the main purpose of the Office of Equal Opportunity is to "act as a resource for harassment and inequities in terms of discrimination, such as race, sex, or religion."
She also said she hopes it will also promote the message to "utilize conflict resolution primarily as the form to mediate harassment, discrimination and diversity issues."
"[This position] moves me up to the front lines of what I've been doing … it's more pro-active," Ravinsky said. "The office has been doing a good job, but there is always room for improvement."
Ravinsky said she wants to provide more training for employees so they know how to respond when students approach them with a harassment or discrimination issue.
"[Training will] increase awareness for the University's policies in terms of harassment policies and to make the community aware of the procedures if you have been harassed," Ravinsky said.
Other goals of Ravinsky's are to "increase communication around the issues of harassment and discrimination at orientation, by talking to student groups, by having a bigger presence."
Interaction between student groups and staff is also an area that should be focused on because it will allow the Office to know more about what is happening on campus, according to Ravinsky.
"The office can only address what it's aware of, and I'm going to make every effort to learn as much about the issues present on the campus. … We can be more effective if people bring their concerns and questions to us, then everyone works together towards the goal of increasing diversity and equality."
Ravinsky most recently worked as an independent contractor for the law firm of Salmanson Goldshaw, P.C. for approximately two years.
Ravinsky has been a lawyer for the past 15 years, specializing in employment law and representing many people in harassment cases.
Ravinsky said in her opinion, the main purpose of the Office of Equal Opportunity is to "act as a resource for harassment and inequities in terms of discrimination, such as race, sex, or religion."
She also said she hopes it will also promote the message to "utilize conflict resolution primarily as the form to mediate harassment, discrimination and diversity issues."
"[This position] moves me up to the front lines of what I've been doing … it's more pro-active," Ravinsky said. "The office has been doing a good job, but there is always room for improvement."
Ravinsky said she wants to provide more training for employees so they know how to respond when students approach them with a harassment or discrimination issue.
"[Training will] increase awareness for the University's policies in terms of harassment policies and to make the community aware of the procedures if you have been harassed," Ravinsky said.
Other goals of Ravinsky's are to "increase communication around the issues of harassment and discrimination at orientation, by talking to student groups, by having a bigger presence."
Interaction between student groups and staff is also an area that should be focused on because it will allow the Office to know more about what is happening on campus, according to Ravinsky.
"The office can only address what it's aware of, and I'm going to make every effort to learn as much about the issues present on the campus. … We can be more effective if people bring their concerns and questions to us, then everyone works together towards the goal of increasing diversity and equality."
Ravinsky most recently worked as an independent contractor for the law firm of Salmanson Goldshaw, P.C. for approximately two years.
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