New Ombuds Appointed at UCSB

The University of California, Santa Barbara has named Priscilla Mori as its new Campus Ombuds. Mori earned her bachelors from UCSB, and worked in a variety of administrative and academic offices. Most recently, she was the Acting Assistant Ombuds for Program Development in the Office of the Ombuds.

Are Ombuds the Solution to FOIA Disputes?

The current trend in Disclosure Legislation is towards appointing ombuds to mediate disputes between requester and the government agency. Pending federal amendments to the Freedom of Information Act in the House of Representatives would set up an Ombudsman’s Office within the National Archives, while the Senate FOIA amendments would put the Ombudsman’s Office in the Administrative Conference of the United States. Attorney Scott Hodes provides a succinct and thoughtful summary of how ombuds could effect the bureaucracy. (LLRX.com via Handakte WebLAWg.)

(Related post House Panel Approves Bill That Would Create Federal FOIA Ombuds.)

NIU Ombuds Written Into Religious Observance Policy

Northern Illinois University has passed an amended religious observance policy that references the campus ombuds office. According to the policy, if a student believes they have not received reasonable accommodation, they may raise the issue with their department, their dean and then the provost. The policy also states a student may consult the ombudsman for advice on any level. (Northern Star.)

CGU to Host Meeting of Southern California Ombuds

The Ombuds Office at Claremont Graduate University will host the next meeting of Southern California ombuds in late June 2007. Practicing ombuds from all sectors are invited to attend. Dates and times are being considered. Email Tom Kosakowski (ombuds[at-sign]cgu[dot]edu) or visit SoCalOmbuds for more information.

Study Shows Ceiling Height Affects Thinking

A research study from the University of Minnesota suggests that the way people think and act is affected by ceiling height. According to the authors, "When a person is in a space with a 10-foot ceiling, they will tend to think more freely, more abstractly. They might process more abstract connections between objects in a room, whereas a person in a room with an 8-foot ceiling will be more likely to focus on specifics." (UNM News via Lifehacker.)

Ombuds may then want to consider rooms with high ceilings when facilitating discussions for creative resolutions.

Opinion: UMKC Prof Opposes Intellectual Diversity Ombuds

The Kansas City Star features an editorial by Stephen John Dilks, an associate professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Dilks urges State legislators to carefully evaluate the consequences of the pending Intellectual Diversity bill (HB 213). In particular, Dilks points out that:

One “intellectual diversity ombudsman” at each public college and university in Missouri would cost at least $2 million per year in salaries and benefits. Add the salaries and costs of support staff and the figure approaches $5 million per year.

(Kansas City Star; related post Update: Missouri House Committee Passes "Intellectual Diversity" Bill.)

It sure would be nice to see where these figures are coming from. According to Wikipedia, there are 14 public, four-year colleges and universities. This would indicate that the ombuds would earn nearly $143,000 per annum in salary and benefits.

Minneapolis Restaurant Settles EEOC Lawsuit, Agrees to Hire Ombuds

A trendy Twin-City nightspot, Chino Latino, has agreed to pay $325,000 to settle a discrimination lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that alleged it mistreated its Hispanic employees. According to a court filing, the restaurant also must hire a Spanish-speaking ombudsman to hear any future concerns, set up a complaint hot line and train managers on discrimination laws. A spokesman said the company already has someone in mind for the ombudsman position. (Star Tribune.)