Meeting of Southern California Ombuds

The Fall caucus of Southern California ombuds will be hosted by the Los Angeles World Airports Ombuds Office on Tuesday, October 30. The theme of the meeting is "Protecting the Ombudsman Confidentiality Privilege." Find out how your methods of communication, marketing and office procedures can make or break a challenge to your confidentiality. Lunch will feature presentations by special guests from legal departments. (So Cal Ombuds Blog.)

New Ombuds at UCLA

The UCLA Office of Ombuds Services has announced the appointment of Tom Kosakowski as Associate Ombudsperson for the campus and Ombudsperson for the Center for Health Sciences. Previously, Tom established the ombuds office at Claremont Graduate University and was the interim director for the ombuds office at Riverside.

Iona's New "Ombuds Office" Isn't

Last week, I was excited to learn that Iona College had opened an ombuds office. The private college in New York is well known: it has been named one of America's "Best Colleges" by US News & World Report, and it's men's basketball team went to the 2006 NCAA Tournament. Since it is rare for a small school to invest in an ombuds office, I wanted to spread the news. Then, I read the college's website, which offers this definition:

OMBUDSPERSON: Ombudsperson means the employee designated to coordinate Iona College’s effort to comply with the Iona College Harassment and Discrimination Policy, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the 1980 implementing regulation, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and any memorandum, directives, guidelines, or subsequent federal or New York state legislation regarding harassment and discrimination that may be issued or enacted. (Iona College Office of the Ombudsperson.)

There is absolutely no assurance that the office is independent, impartial or confidential -- the essential characteristics of an ombuds. (See ABA Standards, p. 2.) Moreover, Iona's human resources director serves as the "ombudsperson." Clearly, this is an ombuds office in name only. It does not comply with either the IOA Standards or the USOA Standards. Instead, it seems to be little more than a compliance office.

Simply by existing, Iona's "ombuds office" devalues the good reputation that IOA and USOA and their members have created and seek to enhance. Iona's alumni will carry a profound misunderstanding of the ombuds profession into the world. Casual Internet users will be confused if they compare Iona's definition with other ombuds offices. In a worst case scenario, if Iona's office is involved in litigation, legal protections for the profession could be eviscerated.

IOA should reach out to Iona to encourage compliance with the professional standards or to urge that the college discontinue the use of the term ombuds. (Since I am not a member of USOA, I cannot presume to opine on its response.) The profession can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to this sort of misrepresentation. The consequences could be disastrous.

New Faculty Ombuds at Michigan

The University of Michigan has appointed Michael Welsh, professor of cell and developmental biology, to succeed Bonnie Metzger as faculty ombuds. Previously, Welsh served 11 years as an ombuds in the medical school. "I think one of the most important facets of the job is to gather information so you can offer reasonable suggestions," said Welsh. The appointment is half time. (The University Record.)

New Ombuds Office at Carleton College

The Minnesota liberal arts college opened an Ombuds Office for faculty and staff this fall to provide confidential, impartial, objective, and informal alternative for resolution of work-related concerns. The first ombuds, Joanne Mullen reports directly to the Vice President and Treasurer of the College. Previously, Mullen acted as Carleton’s Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Consultant. (Carleton Ombuds Office.)

New Ombuds Office at Houston Community College

With relatively little publicity, the third largest community college system in the country has established an ombuds office for faculty, staff, and administrators. According the its website, the office is reports to the Chancellor and adheres to the Code of Ethics of the International Ombudsman Association. Remmele Young will serve as the ombuds, while continuing to as HCC director of government relations. Young earned his Juris Doctorate and Bachelor’s of Arts degrees from the District of Columbia School of Law and the University of South Carolina, respectively. (HSSC Ombuds Office.)

Job Posting: Princeton

Princeton University is accepting applications for an Associate Ombudsperson to replace Nick Deihl. The position provides administrative support for the office and back-up for the University Ombuds Officer by advising visitors, making presentations and mediating. The incumbent, "Must comply with the International Ombudsman Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, and the Princeton University Ombuds Office Terms of Reference." No closing date or salary indicated. (Princeton Jobs req. no. 0700722.)

Deihl will be joining the ombuds office at the National Institutes of Health.