Ryerson Ombuds Blames Professors for Rising Misconduct Charges

A report issued by Ryerson University’s Ombudsperson, Nora Farrell, says professors’ mistakes are responsible for the mounting number of academic misconduct charges. Over the past year, Farrell's office has seen a 54% increase in the number of visitors charged with academic wrongdoing. “It is troubling that 30 per cent of the complaints ... were solely because of a procedural error with respect to how the charge was laid or the matter was adjudicated,” said Farrell. Diane Schulman, secretary of Ryerson Faculty Senate, said she doesn’t believe the ombuds’ numbers represent “a whole lot of students.” (The Eyeopener; Annual Report.)

IOA Announces Board Nominees

Eleven ombuds have been nominated for the International Ombudsman Association Board of Directors. When electronic voting ends on February 1, five will be appointed to the Board. In addition, there are two nominations for the single associate member representative. To supplement the candidates' statements provided by IOA, here is a collection of further information about the candidates.

Board of Directors Candidates

• Camilo Azcarate -- Princeton U.; News@Princeton; UMass Alumni News; Mediate.com; IOA 2006 Conference Speaker Bio
• David Carver -- U. Nebraska Medical Center
• Thomas Kosakowski -- Claremont Graduate U.; UCLA Today; Engaging Conflicts; Ombuds Blog posts
• Janet Morse -- U. Minnesota; U. Minnesota Faculty Report;
• Pierre Niedlispacher -- Coca Cola Enterprises; IOA 2006 Conference Speaker Bio
• Theresa Prator -- Southern California Ombuds Group
• Mauricio "Reese" Ramos -- UCLA Today; Ombuds Blog post
• Michael Turpenoff -- Federal Student Aid; FSA Ombudsman News
• Donna Williams -- Georgia State U.
• Jennifer Wolf -- UCLA Today; UC Irvine; Ombuds Blog post
• Gary Yamashita -- Incument (Treasurer); IOA 2006 Conference Speaker Bio; American Bar Assn 2002 Speaker Bio; Ombuds Blog post

Associate Member Representative Candidates

• Roxanne Schreiber -- U. Idaho; IOA 2006 Conference Speaker Bio
• Katherine Ziff -- Ohio U.; American Counseling Assn.

Related post: Balloting Begins for IOA Board.

UN Budget Increases Funds and Scope of Ombuds Office

On December 22, 2007, the General Assembly of the United Nations approved a two-year budget of $4.17 billion. The budget included the first significant revision of the UN’s internal justice system in six decades and will implement formal dispute resolution procedures. In addition, increased funds will allow the Office of the Ombudsman to open branches in Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi, and to establish a mediation division. (Associated Press; UN Press Release; UN Report of the Redesign Panel, Document A/61/936; UN Report on Activities of the Ombudsman, Document A/62/311.)

Ohio U. Ombuds Issues Annual Report and Considers Adopting IOA Reporting Categories

Ohio University’s ombuds released its annual report and hinted at format changes in the future. According to the report by University Ombudsman Elizabeth Graham, administrators and African American visitors have increased substantially. In total, the office was contacted by about 400 visitors last year. Looking to the future, Graham may begin using the International Ombudsman Association’s uniform reporting categories. The report could better fit the information-seeking, resource-management function the office serves, Graham said. A decision to adopt the new format could happen as early as this quarter. (The [OU] Post.)

Job Posting: Cal Poly Pomona

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona is accepting applications for its University Ombuds Director. This is a new and fully IOA-compliant office serving faculty, staff and students. A master's degree and three years of experience are required; an advance degree and conflict training is preferred. Priority will be given to applications received by February 15. No salary info is available. (Cal Poly Pomona HR.)

New Conflict Coaching Special Interest Group

The International Coach Federation has established a Special Interest Group to concentrate on conflict coaching. The hosts, Cinnie Noble and Ed Modell plan to bring together various professionals, including ombuds and mediators, to share best practices and applications across a range of contexts. Monthly teleconferences will include guest speakers and topic-focused discussions and will be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 5:00-6:00 pm Eastern beginning January 22, 2008. This is a service to members of ICF although non-ICF members are welcome to join up to two calls. For more info, contact Cinnie (cinnie[at-sign]cinergycoaching[dot]com) or Ed (EdModell[at-sign]aol[dot]com). For more about conflict coaching, Mediate.com has some good articles. (ICF Special Interest Groups; Mediate.com.)

Thanks, Ed!

Job Posting: US Postal Service

The United States Postal Service is seeking a Manager of Conflict Management for its Dispute Resolution Services Department. The position develops and manages national policies for alternative dispute resolution programs in an integrated conflict management system. A degree or certification in Dispute Resolution or related field is preferred and current career Postal Service employees are ineligible to apply. The salary range is $60,913-$118,300 and applications are due January 16, 2008. (USPS Announcement.)