Out of the Blue, University of Louisville to Open Ombuds Office

In the wake of a scandal involving a former dean now under federal investigation and allegations of a broken grievance process, the 22,000-student public university has announced that it is "setting up an interim Ombuds office, similar to those in existence at other major universities." Prior to the announcement, there was no indication that an Ombuds program had even been considered. According to a UofL spokesperson, the independent, neutral and, confidential office will report to the Provost for administrative and budgetary purposes. Full details on the program, including personnel involved, are promised next week. (UofL Update; Inside Higher Ed.)

University of Calgary Considering Ombuds Program

The university and its Student Union are looking at a proposal to create an Ombuds position and eliminating the traditional "Student Rights Advisor." Administrators are considering the Ombuds program at McGill University and hope to have an office opened by the end of the current semester. A faculty representative said that the university had not followed appropriate channels in considering the proposed changes. (Gauntlet News.)

Prior post: University of Calgary Urged to Open Ombuds Office.

Faculty buy-in will be critical in creating an effective Ombuds program. Hopefully, faculty leaders (and all other stakeholders) will learn the value of an Ombuds.

British Panel Recommends Higher Education Ombuds Programs

The Improving Dispute Resolution Project, sponsored by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, has issued a 60-page draft report, titled “Taking a Fresh Look at Disputes in Higher Education.” The report examines how colleges and universities can prevent and respond to conflict involving students, faculties, and staffs. The panel found that most campuses have a fragmented approach to conflict resolution that make it “difficult to keep track of institution-wide patterns in the handling of disputes and improve practice.” The report specifically recommends the type of Ombuds programs found on American campuses:

A campus ombudsman or ombuds ‘office’ could help raise awareness throughout the institution, work with the community at all levels, tactful, respected, quietly inculcating habits of fairness and reasonableness, knowledgeable about all sorts of ground-rules, from the HEI’s legal obligations to its procedures, the way academic politics work, the things that matter to student. An ombudsman might be trusted enough to be approached at an early stage of a conflict, be able to make sensible suggestions about the quickest way to a resolution and get everyone involved to try them, propose mediation here, an apology there, or referral to a committee which can revise the existing procedures; he or she could suggest using the complaints or grievance procedures if there is no quicker way, but make sure they are followed properly.

(Taking a Fresh Look at Disputes in Higher Education; Chronicle of Higher Education.)

Related posts: University Ombuds Still Rare in UK Due to New Judicial Process; UK Researcher Advocates Legislative Support for Ombuds Programs; Britain's University Watchdog Calls for American-Style Ombuds.

Job Posting: Red Cross

The American Red Cross is seeking applications for an Associate Ombudsman. The position provides confidential and informal dispute resolution assistance to the American Red Cross community which includes employees, volunteers, service recipients, donors, suppliers, partners, and the general public. A bachelor’s degree is required preferably in counseling, conflict resolution or a related field. A Master’s degree and/or advanced training as a dispute resolution practitioner and/or mediator is highly preferred. Three years of experience in conflict resolution (Ombuds, mediator, facilitator or instructor) or a related field. Salary Range: Low $50’s to mid – $60’s. No closing date indicated. (Red Cross Jobs.)

Job Posting: National Institutes of Health

The Department Of Health And Human Services agency in Bethesda is accepting applications for an Associate Ombudsman. The position serves as a dispute resolution practitioner whose major function is to provide confidential and informal assistance, under the guidance of a senior Ombuds, to NIH managers and employees in resolving work related issues and disputes. Candidates must possess experience practicing as an Ombuds or working in an Ombuds office. The job pays $48,108-90,698 per year. The application period is only one week long and applications are due by Friday, October 3, 2008. (Federal Govt. Jobs; USA Jobs.)

University of Iowa Ombuds Issues Annual Report

For the second year in a row, the University of Iowa Office of the Ombudsperson found that disrespectful behavior is a leading concern on campus. According to its annual report for 2007-08, the number of cases the office handled that involved disrespectful behavior increased from 23 in 2006-07 to 52 in 2007-08. The increase is partly due to a change in the office's record-keeping system. (UI News Services.)

Related post: University of Iowa Ombuds Profiled.

Cal Caucus Calls for Nominations of Distinguished Ombuds

The California Caucus of College and University Ombuds is seeking nominations for its two awards honoring individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding and noteworthy contributions to the Ombuds field. Two awards are given at the annual conference in Asilomar: The Service Excellence Award recognizes significant leadership contributions to Cal Caucus; and The Pete Small Award is given to an “Ombud of the Year” for work within Cal Caucus and for advancing the field. Nominations are due by October 27, 2008. For additional information, contact Susan L. Neff at the University of Washington (ombuds[at_sign]u[dot]washington[dot]edu).

Related posts: Cal Caucus.