University of West Georgia Introduces First-Ever Ombuds for Faculty and Staff

Less than six months after a recommendation by an ad hoc faculty committee, the University of West Georgia has unveiled an Ombuds program and named two new Ombuds. Beheruz N. Sethna, president of the 11,000 student public university, introduced Bruce Lyon as the Faculty Ombuds and Patricia Pinkard as the Staff Ombuds. Lyon retired from UWG after 24 years as a faculty member in the Mass Communications Department, during which he twice served as Acting President. Since retirement, he has acquired considerable mediation experience in the Carroll County magistrate court. Pinkard also has had a lengthy tenure at the university, primarily in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is already an IOA member and was instrumental in advising the university. (UWG Daily Report; Recommendations to Improve Conflict Management Systems at UWG.)