Five Long Days With a Hospital Ombuds

The latest Werner Institute Newsletter offers a glimpse into the life of an Ombuds working at a major medical center. Creighton University grad student Mike Miller spent five days shadowing Laurie Patterson, the Ombuds for Akron General Hospital.

Miller, who has hospital experience himself, describes a grueling schedule. "I quickly discovered that the Akron General Hospital Ombuds runs a half-marathon every day, going from meeting to meeting and having employees stop by her office with little to no warning."  He points out that Patterson is unique among hospital Ombuds in that she does not handle patient matters. Instead, her "sole responsibility to focus her efforts on conflict engagement of all staff members – from housekeeping and maintenance staff to vice presidents and surgeons." He was justifiably awestruck by Patterson's work. (Werner Institute Win/Win.)

Related posts: Ombuds Help Hospitals Meet Joint Commission Standards; Werner Institute Opens Portal for ADR Community

Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution Offers Second Annual Training Program

The ADR center at the University of Texas at Austin will offer its annual skills enrichment institute on July 28-30.  "Innovations in Collaboration and Conflict Resolution" includes one- and two-day tracks featuring prominent trainers.

Two-Day Programs:

• Advanced Negotiation Skills: A Skills Based Institute of Strategy and Technique (Nina Meierding, Pepperdine University)
• Designing Dispute Resolution Systems (Judy Mares-Dixon)
• The Public Policy Facilitator's Toolbox: Designing Processes for Multi-Stage Initiatives (Bill Potapchuk, Community Building Institute)
• The Role of Apology, Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Collaborative Processes (Lee Taft)

One-Day Programs:

• Getting to the Heart of Conflict (Bernie Mayer, Werner Institute)
• The Next Generation of ADR: Utilizing Technology to Effectively Resolve Disputes (Colin Rule, eBay)
• Ethical Challenges in Dispute Resolution: Principles and Practice for Advocates and Third Parties (Julie Macfarlane, University of Windsor)
• Brains Matter: The Art and Science of Using the Mind in Conflict (Jennifer Kresge)

Priority registration through June 27. (UT Austin-CPPDR Info.)

The Story of a Suicide -- An Ombuds' Worst Case Scenario

The University of Washington Daily has a profile of a former UW employee who took his own life in 2008.

It is every Ombuds' fear.

In Soo Chun worked as a custodian on the Seattle campus and frequently bickered with coworkers. His writings revealed mental disorders that manifest as paranoia about supervisors and the institution. His supervisor was unable to mediate a dispute, which eventually grew to involve managers, the UW Ombudsman, the union, other custodians and the human-resources department. Eventually, Chun disengaged and took a vacation. When he did not return to work, he was terminated for job abandonment. After the State denied unemployment benefits, Chun committed suicide in a public plaza in the heart of the campus. (UW Daily.)

Related posts:  University of Iowa Endorses Ombuds Office After Faculty Suicide; Edinboro University Settles Lawsuit Against Ombuds and Other Administrators.

There is no indication that the Ombuds or any of the other programs were negligent per se in this case, but that is little comfort for an outcome that all Ombuds dread.

Job Posting: University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul is hiring a full-time Assistant Ombudsman. Applicants must have at a bachelor's degree and five years of professional experience. Preference will be given to applicants with experience as an organizational Ombuds, familiarity with UM, and a master's degree.

The position will report to Jan Morse, who currently serves as the Secretary to the IOA Board of Directors. The annual renewable contract pays $48,000-52,000. Applications are due June 7. (UM Jobs, job code 9336, via Upper Midwest HERC.)

Related posts: Seeking Leverage, Minnesota Students Reveal Work with Ombuds; Job Posting (Student Intern); IOA Elects Officers at 2010 Conference.

Job Posting: Office of Personnel Management

OPM is hiring a Staff Assistant to the Director of the Executive Secretariat and Ombudsman in Washington, DC. In some respects, the position seems to be administrative and managerial. On the other hand, many duties resemble those of an Organizational Ombuds:

• Coordinates OPM contacts with foreign visitors and delegations and requests for briefings;
• Manages and monitors the flow and timeliness of decision packages and controlled correspondence.
• Handles special projects, such as writing option papers or justifications.
• Assists with preliminary research and preparation of briefing materials on proposals from OPM program officials.
• Summarizes inquiries and OPM's comments on proposals in order to advise and assist the supervisor on implementing personnel management initiatives.
• Assists with planning and organizing special events.

Moreover, the GS-9/13 position requires at least a master's degree or equivalent experience. This may be an excellent entry-level position in a growing Ombuds program. The salary range is $51,630-97,333/year and applications are due June 4. (USA Jobs, job ann. no.: 10-353-LED.)

Related posts: Job Posting; COFO Collaborating With Federal Agencies Creating New Ombuds Programs.

Update: UT Austin Staff Council Submits Recommendation for Ombuds

At a meeting yesterday, the Staff Council at the University of Texas Austin overwhelmingly approved a "Report to the President on Grievance and Ombudsperson." The report lays out the reasons why the university needs an Ombuds for its 14,000 staff and presents five staffing options for the office, including start up and operating costs.

The report will be an excellent resource for other universities considering an Organizational Ombuds program. In addition to the specific proposals for UT, the report also provides a list of references, sample job descriptions for the Ombuds and administrative assistant, and information about Ombuds programs at peer institutions. (UT Austin Staff Council Report.)

Prior posts: University of Texas Staff Set Ombuds as Top Priority; University of Texas President Asks for Recommendation on Staff Ombuds; UT Staff Council Develops Ombuds Proposal.

Complaint of USA Swimming Officials to be Heard by Olympic Ombuds

The complaint of two veteran swimming officials, who have alleged retaliation by their sport's governing body, will go first to the U.S. Olympic Committee's Ombudsman. 

Longtime swimming officials, Ken Stopkotte and Michael Saltzstein, allege that USA Swimming has retaliated against them for their public criticism of the organization's failure to prevent sexual abuse by certified swim coaches. According to the complaint filed with the USOC, Saltzstein and Stopkotte they have been denied a hearing with USA Swimming and they are therefore appealing to the USOC. Under USOC rules, the Athlete Ombudsman, John Ruger will attempt to resolve the matter. If that is unsuccessful, the case will then go to an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators of the American Arbitration Association for a binding decision. (NY Times.)

Related posts: US Olympic Ombuds Helps Athletes in Conflict; Olympic Athlete Ombuds in the News; Cyclists Seek Changes for USOC Ombuds; Psychologist Urges Ombuds as Buffer for Student Athletes.

Job Posting: Inter-American Development Bank

The international NGO is hiring a Project Ombudsperson to lead a new prograom to address complaints from parties that allege that they are or might be adversely affected by IADB operations. The position is a full-time bank employee, reporting directly to the Board of Executive Directors.

The Ombuds will create and manage a project to identify and gather information from other stakeholders, and develop a range of responsible options to help determine whether a resolution to the issues raised can be reached and what is the best process for doing so. Applicants should have and advanced degree; conflict resolution/mediation experience; willingness to travel; and fluency in Spanish and English. Application deadline: June 1. No salary indicated. (IADB Job Posting.)

Related post: Election Results for IOA Board (2009).

Two Organizational Ombuds Launch Blogs

Bathabile Mthombeni, the Associate Ombuds at Columbia University, has launched a new blog. Mthombeni has posted six times over the past two months and has offered a range of advice for people in conflict. (123Untangle.)

Wendy Friede, the former Corporate Ombudsperson for American Express, has also started blogging. She takes a similar approach to offering conflict advice from a personal perspective. (Friede Blog.)

Other Organizational Ombuds who blog include: John Zinsser; Craig Mousin; and Frank Fowlie.

International Association for Conflict Management Convenes in Boston Next Month

IACM will hold its 23rd annual conference at the Boston Marriott Cambridge Kendall Square on June 24-27. The association of scholars and practitioners will offer a number of presentations of research papers that would be interesting for Organizational Ombuds, including:

• Emotional Influences on Negotiation Processes
• The Diversity in Your Head: Implications for Intergroup Conflict and Inclusiveness
• Group and Intergroup Influences on Conflict Processes
• Ethical Dilemmas in Relationships and Organizations
• Dealing with Power: How Mediators Cope with Power Differences
• Building and Repairing Relationships: Trust and Reconciliation
• Interpersonal Conflicts and Cooperation in Work Settings

The conference is preceded by a negotiation teaching workshop.  Priority registration closes May 24. (IACM Conf. Info.)

Despite the obvious intersection with Ombuds work, there seems to be little overlap between IOA and IACM. Few people seem to be members of both organizations and there are no cross-presentations at conferences.

Related post: Friday Poll: In What Organizations Are You a Member?

UC Santa Cruz Ombuds Intervenes in Student Protest

Last week, more than 100 University of California, Santa Cruz students occupied a campus library in protest of ongoing and projected library budget cuts. On May 12, UCSC's Ombuds, Laurie McCann, offered to facilitate a dialogue with the protesters. About 25 students accepted and spent two hours discussing the issues with University Librarian Virginia Steel.

Despite "much anger" from the students during the meeting, participants eventually convinced the other students to leave the library before closing, effectively ending the three-day protest. McCann has been the Campus Ombuds at UCSC since 2002. (Library Journal.)

Ohio State Renews Faculty Ombuds Appointment

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees has approved the reappointment of Jack A. Rall as Faculty Ombuds, effective Oct. 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011. Rall, a professor and vice chair of the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, became OSU's first Ombuds for faculty earlier this year. (OSU Newsroom.)

Prior post: Ohio State University Names First Faculty Ombuds.

Guide to Cognitive Biases

Ombuds frequently deal with conflicts that are the direct result of cognitive bias--the psychological tendencies that cause the human brain to draw incorrect conclusions.  Cognitive biases drive people up the ladder of inference and Ombuds are a voice of reason talking them back down.  Ombuds who do not have a background in cognitive science or psychology deal with cognitive bias problems intuitively. To the rescue comes a beautiful overview from the Royal Society of Account Planning.

"A Visual Study Guide to Cognitive Biases" is a short slide-show that summarizes all the major types of cognitive bias. It can be printed as a pocket guide. (Scribed, via Boing Boing.)

Related post: Science Validates Calming Techniques.

Duke Reappoints Faculty Ombuds

The Academic Council at Duke University has recommended the reappointment of Jeffrey Dawson, for another two-year term as faculty Ombuds. Dawson, an emeritus professor of immunology and associate dean for basic medical science curriculum in the School of Medicine, was appointed in 2008. His reappoinment has been endorsed by Duke's President, Richard H. Brodhead. (Duke Academic Council memo.)

Prior post: Duke Elects New Faculty Ombuds.

Mindmap of Mediation Models

Bill Warters, Wayne State University Professor and publisher of the Campus-adr Blog, has developed a mindmap depicting the different models of mediation being used on college campuses. Inasmuch as Ombuds (in all areas, not just higher education) often work with a variety of mediation models, the online tool is a useful summary.

Warters developed the tool in preparation for his chapter in the recently released book, Reframing Campus Conflict. The interactive mindmap include details of five mediation models:

• Social Justice Mediation;
• Insight Mediation;
• Problem solving/Interest Based;
• Transformative Mediation; and
• Narrative Mediation.

Users can click on "node" in the mindmap to expand or contract branches for more information. (Campus-adr Blog.)

Washington University in St. Louis to Create Ombuds for Faculty

WU Provost Ed Macias has promised to create an Ombuds for faculty. The commitment comes in response to a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Women Faculty that was included in a report on diversity at the nonsectarian, private research university.

The Advisory Committee on Women Faculty recommended creating the position of ombudsperson "to provide confidential, independent, nonpolitical, and knowledgeable counsel and, where appropriate, advocacy for faculty members." The Provost reportedly has identified a faculty member for the role and will announce this position when it is finalized. In addition, the Provost has been making similar efforts to create a parallel position for the WU medical campus. The university continues to provide five faculty members as Ombuds for student issues. (WU Provost Spring 2010 Diversity Report; WU Ombudspersons.)

The creation of an Ombuds program for faculty issues will definitely supplement the on-going work of other WU Ombuds and bring the campus more in line with other research universities that have Ombuds programs for all constituents. It is commendable the the Advisory Committee on Women Faculty saw that an Ombuds would be a valuable resource for the faculty. It is also appropriate that the Ombuds would "provide confidential, independent, nonpolitical, and knowledgeable counsel." However, it is surprising that the new position would also be seen as providing "advocacy for faculty members." Whether the Committee intended to deviate from the prevailing standards of practice is uncertain, but if implemented as such, WU would be have a program that is fundamental different from most university Ombuds offices. The Ombuds' duty of neutrality would be immediately swallowed by the perception of advocacy. Th result would be an Ombuds that is seen by administrators as a solely an advocate for faculty issues, rather than as a trusted nonpolitical counsel.

Psychologist Urges Ombuds as Buffer for Student Athletes

In the face of growing recognition of the long-lasting damage caused by bad coaching behavior and language, psychologist Jeffrey Miller says student athletes should have access to an Ombuds. Miller, who works extensively with adolescents, says that teens suffer when coaches fail to model acceptable adult behavior. "Because of the inherent power differential and the fact that the adolescent already feels unsupported and unfairly dealt with, this is a formula for further distress and disempowerment," he said.

Miller suggests that an Ombuds would give teens a safe resource to work through issues. In addition, he says that Ombuds would also help teens see that "healthy adults have rational, realistic ways of dealing with the kind of conflicts that come up in human relationships." Miller's advice is consistent with the position of The Women's Sports Foundation, which recommends opportunities for neutral direction and assistance for athletes outside the athletic department. (Palo Alto Online; Women's Sports Foundation White Paper.)

Related posts: US Olympic Ombuds Helps Athletes in Conflict; Olympic Athlete Ombuds in the News; U Washington Faces Lawsuit Despite Mediation by Ombuds.

Update 5/21/10: Palo Alto Weekly editorial calls for "district-wide ... neutral ombudsman for athletic issues." 

IOI Newsletter Highlights Membership Growth and Leadership Changes

The March newsletter from the International Ombudsman Institute leads with a letter from its President William Angrick. With his impeding retirement from the position of Iowa Citizens' Aide/Ombudsman, Angrick will become ineligible and will be succeeded by IOI's Vice President, Mats Melin. Melin, the Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman of Sweden, will serve until the next IOI Board meeting in October 2010.

In his report, IOI Secretary General Peter Kostelka summarizes the organization's efforts to connect with other Ombuds groups around the world. Kostelka also notes that IOI's new service-oriented approach has yielded a high number of membership renewals and applications. He credits Angrick for his work on internal reforms at IOI.

The IOI newsletter also provides information about appointments and transitions of Classical Ombudsmen around the world and planned conferences of various Ombuds organizations. (IOI Newsletter.)

Related posts: IOI Secretariat Relocating to Vienna; IOI Amends Rules to Permit Regional Proxy Voting.

ABA Dispute Resolution Writing Competition

The American Bar Association has issued a call for submissions and judges for its Dispute Resolution Section Writing Competition for law students.

Papers should address an aspect of dispute resolution, be unpublished, and be 15-25 pages, double-spaced, including footnotes or endnotes. Submissions are due June 15 and the wnner will receive a $1,000 prize. Judges will evaluate up to four essays between June 15 and July 15, and are not expected to provide detailed comments on the essays. (ABA Dispute Resolution Section, via ADR Prof Blog.)

Related posts:  IOA Announces First Winner of Student Writing Competition; ABA Publishes First Book About Organizational Ombuds; 12th Annual ABA Dispute Resolution Conference Set for San Francisco.

Friday Poll: Do You Publish an Annual Report?

Some, but not all Ombuds publish annual reports. Do you? If so, what gets included?

Prior Friday Polls: Will You Buy Charles Howard's New Book; What was Your Path to an Ombuds Job?; In What Organizations Are You a Member?; Embracing Web 2.0; Why Aren't You Attending the IOA Conference?

Edinboro University Settles Lawsuit Against Ombuds and Other Administrators

The public liberal arts university in Pennsylvania has settled a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former student. In his federal lawsuit, Cameron Aulner, a 2009 graduate of Edinboro had alleged that William Chandler, a Communication and Media Studies professor had made suggestive comments in class and asked him on a date in 2008. Aulner alleged in his lawsuit that the university failed to take action despite his complaints to the Ombuds and other administrators. Edinboro reportedly paid $495,000 in the settlement.

The operative complaint in the lawsuit named as defendants University President Jeremy Brown; Janet Dean, Associate VP of Human Resources; Terry Warburton, Chair of the Communications and Media Studies Department; and Valerie Hayes, Director of Social Equity and Ombudsperson. (Chandler was dropped from the lawsuit after he committed suicide in December 2009.) The student, Aulner, alleged that he complained at least twice to Hayes, although it was not clear whether that was in her capacity as Director of Social Equity or as Ombuds. Nonetheless, Aulner said that Hayes told him in a letter the university would take steps to correct the situation with Chandler, but that the harassment persisted.  In court records, Edinboro admitted that administrators had investigated some of the claims made against Chandler, but denied that the school's retention of the professor violated Aulner's rights. (Original USDC Complaint; Edinboro Spectator; Go Erie News.)

Aulner, who is paraplegic, gained notoriety in his hometown last October when he tackled a suspected child molester fleeing a crime. (Denver Post.)

ENOHE Newsletter Previews Conference

The latest newsletter from the European Network for Ombudsmen in Higher Education highlights the conference next week in Vienna. The ENOHE annual conference is being co-hosted by the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons and focuses on the objectives shared by various types of Ombuds working in higher education.

The newsletter also includes pieces on:

• An overview of the Bologna Process, including a student Ombuds' perspective;
• The 2009 annual report by European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros;
• An introduction of Malta's new Ombudsman for Higher Education, Prof. Charles Farrugia;
• A summary of The Pathway Report, a recommendation from the British Office of the Independent Adjudicator; and
• An interview with Tom Kosakowski about the Ombuds Blog.

(ENOHE News 2010/1.)

Related posts: Latest ENOHE Newsletter Traces Evolution of Campus Ombuds; ENOHE-ACCUO 2010 Conference Embraces Diversity of Ombuds Practice in Higher Education.

Job Posting: University of Louisville

The University of Louisville is hiring its first, permanent Ombuds. The 80%-time appointment assists faculty and staff (including graduate and research teaching assistants) with non-academic issues and concerns.

While independent, the Ombuds Office is administratively housed in the Office of the Provost and will be reviewed annually by and report to a three person committee composed of the Chairs of the Faculty Senate and the Staff Senate, and an appointee from the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. The appointment will take over an office that was created in January 2009 following the federal investigation of a former dean for possible misuse of a federal education grant and allegations of a broken grievance process. Prof. Dennis Hall has been serving as the Interim Ombuds.

Applicants should have a master's degree in Higher Education Administration or related field and four years of related experience. In addition, IOA certification and completion of IOA basic course required within the first year of employment. Additional experience may be used on a one-to-one basis to offset the educational requirements. No salary indicated (current full-time salary band for the position is $63,894-$110,837). No deadline indicated. (UofL Jobs, Job ID: 25411; Salary Ranges.)

Related posts: Out of the Blue, University of Louisville to Open Ombuds Office; Louisville Appoints Interim Ombuds.

British and Irish Ombuds to Meet This Week in Wales

The annual meeting of the British and Irish Ombudsman Association will be held at the National Museum of Wales on May 13 and 14, 2010. The Dinner will be held in the evening, and the following morning the Annual Meeting will address the business of BIOA. Workshops and presentations will explore the topic of ‘learning from complainants.’ (BIOA Newsletter.)

Related posts: BIOA Offering Ombuds Training and Certification.

University of Arkansas Posts Annual Report for Ombuds Office

Sue Theiss, Director of the UArk Ombuds Office, reports that her office assisted in the resolution of 83 new cases in the 2008-09 academic year through early, informal, and non-adversarial resolution practices involving at least 163 individuals. While the number of new cases dropped slightly from last year, the primary constituents served increased 28% due to more group facilitations and more long term, complex cases involving several parties.

Theiss provided 42 workshops and educational presentations on conflict resolution theory and practice, including an 8-week life skills course and a 30-hour professional mediation course. (UArk Student Affairs Annual Report.)

Related posts: U of Arkansas Office of Student Mediation Changing Name to Ombuds Office; U Arkansas Ombuds Creates "Safe Zones" for LGBTQ Community; University of Arkansas Ombuds Sponsors Library Program; University of Arkasas Ombuds Sheds Advocacy Program.

Royal Roads University has an Ombuds Placeholder

Apparently, Ombuds offices are so commonplace at Canadian universities, that Royal Roads feels the need to have an Ombuds webpage even though the university does not have offer the service.

The RRU "Ombuds Service" webpage explains, almost apologetically,

Royal Roads University does not have an ombudsperson. If you have a concern that you feel has not been addressed after attempting resolution yourself, or about which you are uncomfortable approaching those directly involved, please contact Kyla McLeod, Manager Student Affairs.

(RRU Ombuds Service.)

Related post: Northwest Ombuds Group Meeting.

Ombuds for Tyco Electronics Serves Internal and External Stakeholders

The global electronics supplier, which separated from Tyco International in 2007, has unveiled a website for its Ombudsman Office.  According to the webpage which went live this week, the office handles "concerns from external constituencies - investors, suppliers and customers - as well as Tyco Electronics employees."  The Ombuds program is confidential, neutral and independent, reporting directly to the Audit Committee of the Tyco Electronics' Board of Directors. The Ombuds Office offers telephone numbers in the U.S., France, Belgium and China. (Tyco Electronics Ombuds.)

In an interview last week, Richard Suminski, deputy general counsel and chief ethics and compliance Officer of Tyco Electronics, says that the company emphasizes a mindset of timely reporting. "If someone cannot resolve an issue with local management or there is a need to report something up, we very much push for and request employees to be sure that when they don’t understand something, or something doesn’t seem right, to report the concern to the Ombudsman’s Office." (Compliance Week.)

Tyco Electronics does not identify its Ombuds staff. However, Phillip Sinopoli appears to be an Associate Ombuds in the Philadelphia office. (LinkedIn.)

Interview With Colorado State University Ombuds

An article in the CSU campus newsletter profiles Lanai Greenhalgh, LCWS, the Director of the Office of the Ombuds and Employee Assistance Program for the public university in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Greenhalgh is a member of IOA and provides confidential, neutral, informal and independent services to nearly 4,400 employees.

Greenhalgh explained, “I’m not an advocate for any person. I don’t determine guilt or innocence in a complaint,” she said. “It is simply a resource for employees to be able to come in and talk about problems.” Greenhalgh earned her MS in communication from Utah State University and MA in social service administration from the University of Chicago. (CSU FS Life.)

University of Victoria Ombuds Posts 2009 Annual Report

Martine Conway, Ombuds for the University of Victoria in British Columbia, reports that her office handled 412 matters last year. Conway said that while the overall number of contacts with the office was similar to previous years, she saw an increase in situations requiring extensive guidance or intervention because they presented multiple challenges (for example: chronic illness, personal or financial difficulties and cultural differences exacerbating communication or procedural breakdowns).

In addition to her work on campus in 2009, Conway also served as president of the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons (ACCUO), sat on the steering committee for the North West Ombuds Group, helped organize the joint ACCUO/FCO/IOA conference in Montreal, presented during a two-day workshop on Conducting Internal Investigations organized by the Canadian Institute in Vancouver, and spoke on Comparative Approaches to Ombudsman Work during the anniversary celebration of the British Columbia Ombudsman office. (UVic Ombuds 2009 Annual Report.)

Related posts: University of Victoria Ombuds Office Marks 30 Years; University of Victoria Ombuds Issues Annual Report (2008).

Navy Reserve Ombuds Hold First National Conference

Nearly 200 Ombuds participated in the first National Navy Reserve Ombudsman Conference last weekend. The two-day conference Orlando, Florida was designed to provide in-depth, Reserve-specific training and appreciation to the dedicated Navy volunteers.

The 40 year old Ombuds program provides Navy families with a knowledgeable link to a Sailor's command. The Ombuds, usually Navy spouses, are a command asset, capable of disseminating official Department of the Navy and command information, as well as providing current resource referral services. Navy Reserve Ombuds are trained to mitigate issues affecting military families, and assist in the resolution of those issues that could later require command attention. (Navy Press Release.)

Related post: Navy Marks Ombudsman Appreciation Day

Eighth Annual Midwest Meeting of University & College Ombuds

Tim Griffin and Northern Illinois University will host the 8th Annual Summer Meeting for University and College Ombudspersons on July 12. The meeting is preceded by an all-day workshop for new academic Ombuds on July 11.

Topics for the conference breakout sessions will include:

• To Mediate or Not to Mediate and To What End;
• Electronic Technology and Confidentiality;
• The Role of the Ombudsman in an Organizational Crisis: Operating in the Reality of the Moment; and
• Essential Interviewing Skills for Ombuds.

There will also be structured plenary discussions of topics raised by those in attendance, small group case study discussions, and plenty of opportunities to interact with colleagues informally. The July 12 meeting cost is $50 and the July 11 workshop cost is $75 which includes all materials plus continental breakfast, lunch, and afternoon refreshments each day. (Midwest Summer Ombuds Meeting Info.)

Related posts: Call for Proposals: Midwest Meeting of University & College Ombuds; IOA Annual Conference Marks Fifth Anniversary With Promise of Rebirth, Rebuild and Respond.

Australian and New Zealand Ombuds Convene in Wellington

The Australian and New Zealand Ombudsman Association will hold its biennial conference in the Kiwi capital on May 6 and 7. The conference theme, "It's the 'Putting Right' That Counts," reflects the focus on the changing landscape for consumer dispute resolution in New Zealand.

The event will feature 17 presentations from more than 25 speakers. Expected to attend are Classical Ombudsmen, their staff and those in government, regulation, industry, academia and the consumer sector. A keynote address on the role of the Ombudsman in the justice system will be given by Dame Sian Elias, the Chief Justice of New Zealand's Supreme Court. (ANZOA 2010 Conf. Info.; Voxy)

San Jose State's Ombuds Reports Strong Demand

Demerris Brooks, who was hired as the Ombudsperson for California's San Jose State University in August 2008, reports that she has already handled more than 300 student cases in current academic year. Most of these have been resolved informally.

"Out of the 307 cases I've dealt with this year, only seven have gone to the Student Fairness Committee," she said. "Everything else is either able to be resolved at my level or the student decides they don't want to pursue it anymore." Pat Lopes Harris, director of media relations for SJSU, said the ombudsman is an integral part of the university because it reinforces university ideals. (Spartan Daily.)

Related posts: Job Posting; San Jose State Fills Ombuds Position; Higher Ed Ombuds Are Embracing Social Media.

Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics Sets Program on Organizational Ombuds

The nonprofit membership association for organizational ethics and compliance officers, will offer a program on June 3, 2010: "Extending the Reach of Your Compliance Program: How an Organizational Ombudsman Can Be A valuable Supplement to Compliance."

The online event will be hosted by Charles Howard, Partner at Shipman & Goodwin LLP, and Paul Robert, Associate General Counsel & Director for Contracts and Compliance at United Technologies Corp. SCCE serves 16,000 members and a certification program in compliance and ethics. (SCCE Web Conference Info.)

At the IOA conference in April, Howard exhorted the association to market itself more aggressively so as much a part of the organizational landscape as compliance officers. Apparently, he's putting his own advice into action.

Related posts: ABA Publishes First Book About Organizational Ombuds; Tweets Offers Perspective on 2010 IOA Conference.

Columbia Offers Ombuds Course Again

For a second year in a row, Columbia University's School of Continuing Education will offer "Fundamentals of Ombuds Practice" as one of the courses for a Master of Science in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution.

 

A description of the three-unit course indicates that the focus is on the Organizational Ombuds model.

The ombuds profession has seen a tremendous growth in interest as interest in alternative dispute resolution and integrated dispute resolution systems within organizations has increased. However, when asked, the average person in the United States still neither knows what an ombudsperson is nor the functions that an ombudsperson fulfills within an organization. This class will introduce students to the major theoretical and practical issues inherent in the ombuds profession. With particular focus on the Standards of Practice as articulated by the International Ombudsman Association, students will learn about the unique services that organizational ombudspeople provide to organizations and to individuals within those organizations.

The class again will be taught by Columbia's Associate Ombuds, Bathabile Mthombeni. (Columbia Negotiation and Conflict Resolution.)

Related posts: Columbia Adds Ombuds Course; CO-OP Board Announces First Class of Certified Ombuds.

Job Posting: Food and Drug Administration

The Department Of Health And Human Services agency is hiring a Conflict Prevention and Resolution Specialist for its headquarters in Rockville, MD. Although the position is not titled as an Ombuds, job duties are very similar and include:

• Maintaining the integrity of conflict resolution processes through neutrality and impartiality.
• Identifying the root causes of workplace conflict.
• Recommending techniques and solutions to organizational conflict.
• Serving as a neutral third party in situations of conflict or disagreement.
• Mediating workplace disputes.

The GS-13 position pays $89,033-$115,742 per year. Applications are due May 23, 2010. (USAJobs, Job Ann. No.: CK321774LK.)

BP Ombuds Could Draw Scrutiny in Gulf Oil Spill Investigation

Truthout, the nonprofit progressive news site, is reporting that a former British Petroleum contractor claims the oil conglomerate ignored complaints he made to the company's Ombuds office. The whistleblower claims that BP broke federal laws and violated its own internal procedures by failing to maintain crucial safety and engineering documents related to deepwater production projects in the Gulf of Mexico.

The whistleblower detailed these claims in emails to Pasha Eatedali in BP's Ombuds office in March 2009. The Ombuds office agreed to investigate. A few weeks later, Billie Pirner Garde, BP's Deputy Ombudsman later sent an email saying that some claims "were substantiated" and added that the whistleblower's complaints weren't "unique" and had been raised by other employees "before you worked there, while you were there and after you left." On March 26, 2010, Department of Interior's federal Minerals Management Services launched a formal investigation and is expected to file a report detailing its findings next month. (Truthout.)

As the Gulf oil spill grows into one of the country's greatest ecological disasters, a Congressional inquiry is inevitable. If so, there is a chance that testimony from BP's Ombuds could be requested.

Related post: Critics Question Independence of BP Ombuds.

Eastern Carolina University, Please Don't Call it an Ombuds Office

The public university in Greenville North Carolina has had an "Office of Ombudsman" since at least 2005.  However, it is indistinguishable from the Dean of Students Office in most respects.  For example the ECU Ombuds authorizes exceptions to the student alcohol policy and provides excuses for student absences due to university activities. 

These are appropriate duties for the Dean of Students and just mislead people about the role of an Ombuds.  ECU should drop the pretense of the 'Ombuds' label.  (http://www.ecu.edu/cs-studentlife/ombudsman/.)

Texas Ombuds Will Meet May 12

The Ombuds of Texas will hold its next meeting in Austin at the LCRA Dalchau Service Center. Elisa Hendricks, Ombudsman and Cindy Fortress, Program Specialist, Office of the Ombudsman, Texas Health and Human Services Commission will introduce themselves and provide an overview of their program.

Alliance Work Partners, a Division of Workers Assistance Program, will provide a program on “Effective Listening.” A complete agenda and details are available at the OOT website. (Ombuds of Texas.)