May 13, 2015

Simon Fraser University Ombuds Office Marks 50th Anniversary

In 1965, the public research university in British Columbia became the first university in North America with an Ombudsman. The campus marked the 50th anniversary of its Ombuds office in part by hosting the biennial joint conference of the Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons. 

According to SFU's current Ombudsperson, Jay Solman, “SFU was the model everybody wanted to follow,” in the mid-1960s he says. “Over the next few years, one university after another started to open offices,” he said. An article published by SFU explains that, while students originally ran the office, it is now funded jointly by the University, the Graduate Student Society, and the Simon Fraser Student Society. (SFU News.) 

Related posts: First Canadian Ombuds to be Honored With Stamp; Simon Fraser University Names New Ombuds; Simon Fraser University Honors Former Ombuds; FCO/ACCUO Posts 2015 Conference Agenda.

2 comments:

  1. John Mynott was the first ombudsperson at SFU in 1965.

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    1. I've updated the post to remove references to Rosemary Brown. Earlier blog posts asserting the fact that she was the first SFU ombudsman were sourced at the time, but those links are no longer available.

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