Brown University Faculty Feeling Loss of Ombuds Office

Professors and post-doctoral students at the Ivy-League university are reportedly missing the services of the Ombuds Office that closed this summer. For the past three academic years, BU employed a part-time Ombuds who handled 28 to 59 cases a year. The pilot program was deemed a success. An offer was made for a permanent Ombuds, but the candidate turned it down because the position was only part-time. Shortly thereafter, the University instituted a hiring freeze. Brown's Faculty Executive Committee still intends to hire an Ombuds, perhaps with an expanded role and hours. However the University’s financial condition makes it difficult to justify at this time according to one administrator. (Brown Daily Herald.)

Prior posts: Brown University Ombuds Issues Second Annual Report; Brown University Ombuds Office is Latest Closure.