Patrick Case will step down as director of the University of Guelph’s Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO) for health reasons, effective Jan. 16, 2012.
In addition to her present responsibilities, Brenda Whiteside, associate vice-president (student affairs), will serve as acting HREO director during a review of the office to be led by Don O’Leary, vice-president (finance and administration).
In announcing the news, president Alastair Summerlee said: “The University of Guelph has benefited tremendously from Pat’s leadership, expertise and dedication. He has completely changed the atmosphere on human rights and equity issues, leaving a strong foundation from which to build.”
Case joined U of G in 1999. In 2002, he helped implement the “Human Rights at the University of Guelph” document to manage human rights and equity concerns, complaints and education issues on campus. He also established programs addressing employment and education equity, discrimination and harassment, and initiatives in accessibility, women’s safety and ethical buying practices.
“Pat’s accomplishments have allowed the University to strengthen its commitment to having a campus dedicated to the highest standards of human equality,” says Martha Harley, assistant vice-president (human resources).
Besides his work at U of G, Case chairs the board of Ontario’s Human Rights Legal Support Centre. He has served as a commissioner with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, chair of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation and co-chair of the equality rights panel of the court challenges program of Canada.
A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, Case practised family, human rights and immigration law, and was the Toronto District School Board’s equity adviser.
Following an approved leave, Case will return to the University in August to begin a contractually limited faculty position in the Department of Political Science. “I am sorry to be leaving, but feel that my work over the years has helped make the University a place that is safer, more positive and more respectful in all areas of equity, accountability and accessibility,” Case said. “I look forward to returning to the University and continuing to share my knowledge through teaching.”