Ombuds at U. Iowa Reports Disrespect a Top Concern

Disrespectful behavior and bullying were among the top new concerns listed in an annual report from the University of Iowa's ombuds office. The report by University Ombudsperson Cynthia Joyce and Ombudsperson Craig Porter indicates the office received 280 visitors last year, a 9 percent increase from the year before. Of those, 30 percent were students, 47 percent were staff and 21 percent were faculty. For staff, job conflicts were a primary concern and academic concerns were a top issue for undergraduates. (Iowa Citizen Press-Citizen; UI Ombuds 2006-07 Report.)

Related post: Univeristy of Iowa Ombuds Profiled.

U. Hawaii Ombuds Office Co-Sponsors Program on Organizational Change

The Ombuds Office at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, is co-sponsoring a series of talks on organizational transformation with the University's Program on Conflict Resolution. The first event on January 8 will feature David Brubaker, an Assistant Professor of Organizational Studies at the Eastern Mennonite University Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. he has worked nationally and internationally on the issues of conflict resolution and organizational change, and has served as a workplace mediator, organizational consultant and leadership coach. Brubaker was a plenary speaker at IOA's 2007 annual conference. (UH News.)

Ten Things Attorneys Should Know About Ombuds

Gini Nelson's blog about science, ethics and spirit in conflict resolution, "Engaging Conflicts," is featuring a series of posts by yours truly. The topics include:

1. Organizational Ombuds Are Different Than Classical Ombuds
2. The ABA Has Endorsed Ombuds
3. Ombuds Assert Their Communications are Privileged
4. Ombuds Protect Their Independence
5. Ombuds are Neutral and Impartial
6. Ombuds Avoid Formal Processes
7. Ombuds are Increasing in Number
8. Ombuds Don’t Keep Records
9. Ombuds Are Not Agents for Notice
10. Ombuds Provide Upward Feedback

Check back for updated links as the series is posted.

UPDATE: Congress Shuts Down CDC Ombuds Office

In response to long-running issues of poor morale and mistrust among employees, the Centers for Disease Control opened an ombuds office in October 2006. Just a year later, and before the CDC even had time to hire a permanent ombuds, Sen. Tom Coburn began efforts to defund the program. "My colleagues in Congress agreed with me that CDC doesn't need a morale-boosting CDC ombudsman that costs over $1,000 a day and over $2,500 per employee visit," Coburn said. "This money can be better spent."

Congressional scrutiny was the latest of problems for the CDC ombuds office. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

The CDC ombudsman's office has been controversial from the start. That's because of the agency's decision to initially hire two contractors from Carter Consulting to serve as temporary ombudsmen on a one-year, $259,000 contract.

The contracting firm drew immediate distrust from some CDC staff who questioned the contractors' independence because the Tucker firm is owned by Joseph Carter, who retired in 2004 after being a top management official in the CDC director's office.

According to the most recent available data, the CDC ombuds office received 169 visits in its first nine months of operation. (Atlanta Journal Constitution.)

So it seems that Dr. Coburn's message to his disgruntled colleagues (who are charged with protecting the nation's health and safety) is: Suck it up, we need every penny for war spending.

Prior post: Coburn Amendment Would Defund CDC Ombuds.

New Ombuds at St. Bonaventure

St. Bonaventure University has appointed Dr. Gary B. Ostrower as its new ombuds officer, replacing Bernard Brodsky who established the office in Fall 2005. Ostrower has authored three books on the history of international organizations, and has been a history professor at Alfred University. Ostrower earned his bachelor’s degree from Alfred University, and a master’s and a doctorate from the University of Rochester. Ostrower is also the ombuds for Alfred University. (SBU News.)

North Dakota State U. Considering Ombuds

A recent story in the Chronicle of Higher Education highlighting NDSU’s lack of women among tenured faculty has prompted the land grant university to reexamine a proposal for an ombuds office. Since at least 2004, the University Senate has discussed an ombuds program (based on UC Irvine's office) with no results. The senate now plans to survey the campus in January to find out what people think of adding an ombuds. (In-Forum News (Fargo); NDSU University Senate Minutes 11/14/05; Chronicle of Higher Ed.)

The outcome of the survey will surely depend on how the questions are written. Given that most people don't fully understand what an ombuds does, a survey with a less-than-complete explanation will be futile. More importantly, what if the survey reveals an urgent need by just a small share of the population? Must a majority feel frustrated before changes are adopted? Of course not. Alternative dispute and restorative justice programs should be implemented because leaders have vision and compassion. Whether the decision is based on a cost-benefit calculation or empathy for the disenfranchised few, NDSU's administration should not shirk its responsibility with a survey.

Job Posting: Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser -- which has a large, but dispersed ombuds program -- is accepting applications for a position at its medical center in Antioch, California. Health care experience is preferred. No closing date or salary indicated. (Kaiser Careers Job ID: DV.07017413, via HotJobs.)