Calif. Appellate Court Relies on Testimony of University Ombuds in Denying Student's Grade Challenge

Stephen Head, a student at California State University, San Jose, had appealed an administrative decision denying his academic grievance which sought a revised grade and alleged that he had been unfairly treated of his conservative politics. In an unpublished decision rejecting the student's claims, the Appellate Court relied on heavily on a declaration from the University Ombudsman Savander Parker that justified the university's handling of the grievance. In fact, Parker appeared to be substantially involved in the grievance process. (Court's Decision.) Parker is a member of IOA.

Update 4/28/10: A similar case, arising out of a grade dispute in 2003, indicated similar testimony from the Ombuds.  (Onkvisit v. Cal. State Pers. Bd., 2010 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 3040 (Apr. 27, 2010).)