Pace Ombuds Office Profiled

The campus newspaper at Pace University published a thorough profile of the university's ombuds office. The office marked its 10-year anniversary of providing ombuds and mediation services to faculty, students and staff. University ombuds John S. Barkat, who has been with the office since it has opened in 1997, is assisted by Patricia Barnes, Jeanne Marie Madison and Susan W. Coleman. (Pace Press.)

more corrections

Boy this is getting tiresome.

Getting a letter from the EFF and saying that you are making an appointment does not translate into "eff is helping with legal defemse"

adapting legislation involving re-use is not backing down.

We are not getting any new permits nor does the state believe that we are not properly filed. Nor do we foresee any significant changes in our operations. Ignorant people with issues keep trying to put that nonsense in.

Again the only thing outstanding is the retention of material over a year. Not permits,licensces,handling,safety or any other issue.

So the people who support me exagerate while the ones in opposition just make crap up.

Tenn. Gov. Hopes New Ombuds Office Will Reduce Lawsuits

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen said Wednesday that he hopes a newly created ombudsman position will help avoid the need for open records lawsuits similar to a recent successful action by the Knoxville News Sentinel. Bredesen considers the ombuds as a go-between for people to who lack the resources to gain access to public information. But the governor acknowledged that no official can prevent the need for future lawsuits. Earlier this year, Tennessee legislature approved $100,000 to create the ombudsman and a special committee is still considering what provisions for the ombudsman need to be written into law. (AP.)

(Prior post: Tenn. Gov. Opposes Plan to Fragment Responsibilities of New Open Records Ombuds.)

UMass-Amherst Ombuds Comments on Student's Lawsuit

A federal court has thrown out a 15-count lawsuit filed by a student against the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Brian Marquis had argued that his "A-" in political philosophy, was reduced to a "C" because of the class curve. Although District Court Judge Michael A. Ponsor dismissed the suit, Marquis said he is considering an appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Catharine Porter, the UMass-Amherst ombudsman and a defendant in the suit, said that Marquis's complaint was the only one she was aware of over a disputed grade in 30 years at the university. "If every student that didn't like his or her grade started to do this, we'd have to hire, I don't know, 25,000 attorneys," Porter said. (Boston Globe.)

more updates.

Got a very nice letter from the EFF and am trying to put together an appointment to discuss options.

The dtsc situation is under control for the moment, May light up again later next month when they look over our proposed solutions.

To reiterate some basic facts before the trolls run off at the ass.

The inspection that started this all was a recurring,random yearly inspection. There was no complaint nor does the dtsc have any reason to think that a release of any form has occurred (none has)
As far as I know all handling issues have been addressed and the only thing that we still have on the table is the "get rid of it within a year" issue and all parties seem to be interested in how to get around/find a way to ignore this restriction without letting the corporate scumbags use it as a loophole.

In addition the next waste board stakeholders meeting has re-use on the agenda.

The trolls and spammers are getting a little thick so I'm killing anonymity on this blog and activating other tracking and security features. I apologise and find it personaly offensive but so is a couple of hundred **** YOU's in all caps.

Oh We just renewed our leases for the next five years so it appears the city of berkeley's attempts to turn this area into car lots are somewhat impaired if not dead.

Job Posting: UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine, is accepting applications for an associate ombudsman. The position will be part of the large UCI office providing ombuds and mediation services to the entire campus community in compliance with IOA standards. A master's degree or bachelor's with relevant experience is desired. Salary range: $58,262-76,729; no closing date. (UCI Jobs, Req No.: 2007-1285.) (Thanks, Indu.)

(Related posts: UC Irvine Appoints Ombuds Office Director.)

New Ombuds at Mt. Holyoke

Mount Holyoke College welcomed Carol Stewart as its new ombudsperson this summer. Stewart has worked in conflict management for more than 14 years and is studying for a master's defree in public policy and public administration at UMass. "Carol's warm, dynamic presence will no doubt be felt immediately. She is a terrific addition to our community," President Joanne V. Creighton said. (MHC News.)