University of Wisconsin Ombuds Issues Annual Report

The Faculty and Staff Ombuds Program at UW-Madison issued its annual summary of activity for the 2007-2008 academic year. In the last year, the Ombuds handled 63 cases, nearly half of which were brought by academic staff. The report also noted that many visitors had multiple concerns and identified a total of 249 issues during the year. The report also offered some insights on the role of the Ombuds Program at UW-Madison. With few exceptions, Ombuds visitors have commented on the value of discussing their problems confidentially with someone knowledgeable and with no personal involvement with the matter at hand. (UW-Madison Ombuds Report.)

Related post: U. Wisconsin Adds Ombuds.

Washington State Schools Ombuds Describes First Year

The Seattle Times interviews Adie Simmons, Washington's Education Ombudsman--the first state-level K-12 ombudsman in the nation. Last year, her office assisted 2,170 families in its first full school year of operation and found that bullying was the most common issue. (Seattle Times.)

Related posts: Washington State Education Ombudsman Begins Offering Services; Job Posting.

Texas Tech Fetes Retiring Ombuds, Introduces Successor

At a reception this week, Texas Tech celebrated the retirement of its first student Ombuds. Kathryn Quilliam created the Ombuds program more than seven years ago after working for the university for two decades. Quilliam said she fulfilled all of her goals as student ombudsman, which included the creation and solidification of an office that is both effective and respected on the campus. The position will now be filled by Drew Canham, who previously worked for Texas Tech's Student Judicial Programs. "I certainly have a good office to step into and excellent shoes to fill," Canham said. "It's nice to step into a job knowing everything has gone so well." Canham earned his Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University in 2003 and a Ph.D. from TTU last year. (Daily Toreador.)

Appointment of Interim Ombuds at McGill Raises Concerns

Student leaders at McGill University in Montreal are concerned by the appointment of Linda Jacobs Starkey as Interim Ombuds because she continues to serve as associate dean of students. McGill Students' Society Vice-President of University Affairs Nadya Wilkinson worried about the effect of the perceived conflict of interest created by the dual role. "Legitimacy should be the strongest asset in the ombudsperson's portfolio," Wilkinson said. An editorial in the student newspaper also criticized the appointment:

Ideally, the ombudsperson should be drawn from outside the McGill administration to emphasize their independence. At the very least, they shouldn't be serving simultaneously as an ombudsperson and an administrator.

The solution to the current problem lies in Jacobs Starkey's title: interim ombudsperson. Four weeks is an acceptable interim. Four months is not. The Tribune would like to see a new ombudsperson appointed before the end of the current semester. We urge the committee responsible to meet as soon as possible, and we urge the administration to expedite the appointment process. After all, cutting through red tape is what the ombudsperson is all about.

The administration defended the decision and has said that a committee to appoint a permanent Ombuds meet before the end of the semester to discuss potential candidates. (McGill Tribune News; Opinion.)

Related post: McGill Surveys Students to Develop Ombuds Mandate.

University of Victoria Ombuds Office Marks 30 Years

On October 6, the University of Victoria in British Columbia will celebrate the Ombuds Office’s 30 years of service. Current and past UVic Ombuds and members of the Ombudsperson Advisory Committee will attend. Kim Carter, Ombudsman for British Columbia will offer remarks on "The Importance of an Independent Voice for Fairness - the Ombudsman in a University Context." (UVic Communications.)

Related post: Northwest Ombuds Group Meeting.

UN Ombuds to Address International Humanitarian Conference

John Barkat, the United Nations Ombudsman and Assistant Secretary-General, is a featured speaker at the Academic Council on the United Nations System conference later this week. The meeting marks the opening of ACUNS European Center in Marseille and will focus on challenges facing the international humanitarian community. Barkat will welcome participants and offer keynote remarks. (Press Release; ACUNS Conf.; Agenda.)

University of Nebraska Introduces Ombuds

Sharon Ulmar, assistant to the chancellor for Diversity and Equality Opportunity, provided more information about the three recently appointed Ombuds for the University of Nebraska Omaha. Tracie Anderson, who has worked at UNO for 20 years, is the assistant director of New Student Orientation and will respond to management visitors. Mark Scherer, will serve as the faculty Ombuds and is also associate professor of history. He is a former attorney and has a background in legal history, constitutional history and Native American legal history. Ronda Sheibal-Carver, is staff assistant in Public Administration and will handle staff cases. She has worked at UNO for over 22 years. (UNO Gateway.)