July 29, 2011

Attendance Rises at Ninth Annual Summer Meeting of Academic Ombuds

Tim Griffin, the Ombuds at Northern Illinois University, reports that the annual meeting continued to grow. He provided the following report:




College and university ombudspersons met this past weekend on the campus of Northern Illinois University for the Ninth Annual Summer Meeting of Academic Ombudspersons. This meeting continues to grow in popularity as a total of 31 attended from 9 states, representing 20 different institutions.

Those in attendance proposed a diverse list of topics that were addressed in structured plenary discussion. Topics discussed in this format included the use of social media, conflicts with student affairs, strategies for tough budgetary times, ombuds certification, the impact of recent Title IX changes on our work, working with groups of visitors, exceptions to standards of practice, conflicts of interest, and eleven more. In addition, there were breakout sessions to offer more in-depth learning on four additional topics, and small group case study discussions.

Special thanks go out to Dave Carver, Kerry Egdorf, Rosa Garner, Dan Matthews, Linda Newman, Craig Mousin, Sue Theiss, and Pat Wolleat who presented breakout sessions and/or led case study discussions. Their contributions, along with the enthusiastic participation in the plenary discussions by all who were present, were essential components of the meeting's success.

Attendees indicated their appreciation of the informality and economical cost of the meeting, as well as the unique and supportive social culture created by their colleagues in higher education.

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