The Civil Rights Act of 1964 affected everyone in the United States of America. For Florida Technological University (later University of Central Florida), this act and subsequent others meant implementing equal opportunity policies. From its founding to 1978, FTU employed J. Phillip Goree, Vice President for Administration and Finance as the Equal Opportunity Officer. He put into affect many opportunities for equal education and affirmative action programs. Goree's assistant Janice Brodie compiled all the University's records dealing with salary, employment, recruitment, and enrollment of minorities and women. These findings were presented to federal Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) officials for review. On July 31, 1974 President Millican appointed a functional task force to carry out and maintain the HEW regulations of Affirmative Action and Equal Educational Opportunity programs. In 1979, President Colbourn hired Carol Surles as the first Director of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, shortly afterwards establishing an office of the same name with the help and encouragement of Dr. John T. Washington. Presently, the Equal Opportunity office reports to the President and continues to monitor and ensure equality regulations for men and women of all races.
From the guide to the University of Central Florida Equal Opportunity Office Records, 1969-1988, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, )
