The Ombuds Blog: University of Kansas Ombuds Office Marks 35 Years of Service

November 02, 2012

University of Kansas Ombuds Office Marks 35 Years of Service

Today, the KU Ombuds Office celebrates 35 years of service. Kellie Harmon, who has been the Ombuds since 2007, says that the office has addressed more than 10,000 concerns in the past three and a half decades. The anniversary will be celebrated at a reception with past KU Ombuds and staff.

Harmon is the fourth Ombuds in KU history, but the first person to hold the position full-time. Previously, the position was filled by a faculty member. Harmon got her start in the office 20 years ago when she worked their part time as a a graduate student. (Lawrence Journal-World.)

Related posts: University of Kansas Ombuds Posts 2008-09 Reports; List of Certified Ombuds Expands to 45; KU Ombuds Offers Sanctum to Campus Stakeholders.

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Austria -- Ombudsstelle

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany -- Ombudspersonen

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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