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.
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