Appointment of Interim Ombuds at McGill Raises Concerns

Student leaders at McGill University in Montreal are concerned by the appointment of Linda Jacobs Starkey as Interim Ombuds because she continues to serve as associate dean of students. McGill Students' Society Vice-President of University Affairs Nadya Wilkinson worried about the effect of the perceived conflict of interest created by the dual role. "Legitimacy should be the strongest asset in the ombudsperson's portfolio," Wilkinson said. An editorial in the student newspaper also criticized the appointment:

Ideally, the ombudsperson should be drawn from outside the McGill administration to emphasize their independence. At the very least, they shouldn't be serving simultaneously as an ombudsperson and an administrator.

The solution to the current problem lies in Jacobs Starkey's title: interim ombudsperson. Four weeks is an acceptable interim. Four months is not. The Tribune would like to see a new ombudsperson appointed before the end of the current semester. We urge the committee responsible to meet as soon as possible, and we urge the administration to expedite the appointment process. After all, cutting through red tape is what the ombudsperson is all about.

The administration defended the decision and has said that a committee to appoint a permanent Ombuds meet before the end of the semester to discuss potential candidates. (McGill Tribune News; Opinion.)

Related post: McGill Surveys Students to Develop Ombuds Mandate.