"My job is to assure that the environment is free of discrimination and that there is equal protection under the law," said Randy Lucero, SLCC's Equal Employment Opportunity Office director, adding that he doesn't owe allegiance to the administration or faculty. "I am an independent fact-finding body."

Lucero, 47, a native Utahn and a former corporate human-resources manager who served 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, stepped into the job at SLCC's Redwood Campus in Taylorsville earlier this month.

Lucero replaces Clyde Johnson, who quit in 2003 after three years and accused the school of ignoring its own policies and practices, leading to "unchecked favoritism and employment discrimination."

That year, eight people - including current and former SLCC employees - filed lawsuits, alleging employment discrimination.

Johnson, an African-American, also sued, alleging that he, too, had been discriminated against because of his race. The lawsuits have been combined into one.

In response, SLCC commissioned the Salt Lake City law firm of Ray Quinney & Nebeker to investigate allegations of gender and hiring discrimination, racial slurs and denial of training and overt disciplinary action in its police department. The report found "no evidence" to support the bias claims.

Lucero is aware of the lawsuit and noted that the bulk of the claims occurred under a "different administration."

Interim SLCC President Judd Morgan - who has led the college since May 2003 - understands diversity, Lucero said.

"I report directly to the president . . . so my concerns about EEO matters don't get corrupted or cut off at the path."

Morgan applauds the experience and background of his new EEO director. One of his first decisions was to restore the office's former name - Office of Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity - to "emphasize the broader role of the office in the life of the college," Morgan noted.

Lucero said the EEO office will be more proactive than reactive.

"We have an open-door policy for anyone having a question, desiring information or those with a concern or complaint with respect to equal employment opportunity," he said.

sykes@sltrib.com