Campus Newspaper Reveals Ombuds Casework at Northwestern

A report in the Daily Northwestern this week exposed the involvement of the University Ombuds in a new campus controversy. Northwestern University has been rocked this year by multiple allegations of hazing and other misconduct in multiple sports programs. Most recently, Northwestern's cheerleaders have complained about safety concerns and a culture of body shaming. The campus newspaper revealed that the University Ombuds, Sarah Klaper, worked on the issue last year:

Northwestern University Faculty Seek Campus Ombuds Program

The NU faculty senate has passed a resolution backing the establishment of an Ombuds program for students, faculty and staff. Senate president Prof. Laurie Zoloth noted that Northwestern's volunteer Ombuds program, which is just for faculty, is not on par with other universities. “I don’t feel entirely comfortable asking people to work for free through the University,” Zoloth told the Daily Northwestern. “At other universities this is a paid service. … It just seemed part of my impulse in being president of Senate to hold Northwestern University’s governing structure up to the standards (of other institutions).”

Job Re-Posting: Northwestern University

The private research university based in Evanston, Illinois has reopened the search for its first Ombudsperson. The job was originally posted in February 2020, but the it was shelved when the pandemic shut down the campus. The position will serve faculty, staff, and students, including those at campuses in Chicago and Doha, Qatar—about 30,000 people. The Ombuds will report to the provost and practice to IOA standards.

Job Posting: Northwestern University

The private research university north of Chicago seeks an Associate Ombudsperson. The new position expand Northwestern's Office of the Ombudsperson and report to the University Ombuds, Sarah Klaper. The hybrid, full-time position will assist in providing Ombuds services to faculty, staff, and students following IOA standards.

Northwestern University Ombuds Provides First Report

Sarah Klaper, Northwestern's first University Ombudsperson, recently gave her first report to the university's Faculty Senate. Klaper said that her office had seen 361 visitors since it opened in August 2021. She told the faculty that her office should be significantly larger. “The faculty advocacy for this position has been extraordinarily strong,” Klaper said. “You’ve been very consistent and forceful, and yes, if you happen to be in a position to advocate for additional funding for my office for staff, that would be fantastic.” (Daily Northwestern.)

Northwestern University Lures Experienced Ombuds

Sarah Klaper will become Northwestern's first University Ombudsperson on August 1, 2021. She moves from Northern Illinois University, where she has served in the same position since 2012. Klaper will serve about 30,000 faculty, staff, and students, including those at campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Qatar. She will report to the provost and practice to IOA standards.

Job Posting: Northwestern University

The private research university based in Evanston, Illinois is hiring its first Ombudsperson. Various stakeholder groups have been advocating for the resource for at least 15 years and follows a recommendation from an Ombuds Program Task Force convened last year. The position will serve faculty, staff, and students, including those at campuses in Chicago and Doha, Qatar—about 30,000 people. The Ombuds will report to the provost and practice to IOA standards.

Northwestern Appoints First Faculty Ombuds for New Ombuds Program

With the appointment of three volunteer faculty Ombudsmen, Northwestern University has established its first Ombuds program. The new Ombuds are Albert Farbman and Neena Schwartz, from the Department Neurobiology & Physiology; and Irwin Weil, from the Department of Slavic Languages and Literature.

Northwestern University Approves Faculty Ombuds Program

The private research university in Evanston, IL has approved an Ombuds program that is markedly different that the model adopted by peer institutions. Instead of a single office with a full-time professional Ombuds serving the entire campus community, Northwestern will have a network of volunteer faculty Ombuds assisting only other faculty. Moreover, while most university Ombuds handle any issue related to the campus, Northwestern's faculty Ombuds will not be able to offer advice or services related to cases involving alleged sexual harassment. Otherwise, the program follows IOA standards of practice with respect to confidentiality, neutrality and informality. Potentially, Northwestern could appoint more than a dozen Faculty Ombuds; none have been announced yet. (Northwestern Ombuds Guidelines.)

Related posts: Ombuds Rising: Three More Universities Considering Ombuds Offices; General Counsel Limits Scope of Proposed Ombuds Program at Northwestern.

Northwestern University Adds an Associate Ombuds

Kamaria B. Porter has been hired as the first Associate Ombudsperson for the private research university north of Chicago. She will expand Northwestern's Office of the Ombudsperson and report directly to the University Ombuds, Sarah Klaper. Porter is expected to provide Ombuds services to faculty, staff, and students following IOA standards.

Northwestern School of Medicine Names First Ombuds

The Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, a top-tier American medical school, has appointed its first Ombudsperson. Lisa A. Rone, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, will serve as an impartial, neutral, and confidential facilitator for students.  Northwestern has Ombuds program for general faculty.

Pandemic Slows Hiring of First Ombuds at Northwestern University

Coalition NU, an ad hoc group of "underrepresented and underserved graduate students demanding justice," reports that the private university has paused its search for an Ombuds. The report is based on statements made by the interim Provost at a town hall meeting earlier today. 

Northwestern University Promises an Ombuds Program Next Year

After at least 15 years of requests by various stakeholder groups seeking an Ombuds, Northwestern's Provost Jonathan Holloway announced that the university will appoint an Ombuds in the 2020-21 academic year. The decision follows a recommendation from an Ombuds Program Task Force that had sought “extensive stakeholder input.” The University will hire a trained Ombuds to head the office according to the Provost's email announcement. (Daily Northwestern.)

General Counsel Limits Scope of Proposed Ombuds Program at Northwestern

In the Spring of 2007, the Northwestern General Faculty Committee approved a plan to create an Ombuds program to serve faculty. An update at the latest faculty meeting indicated that the administration was still supporting the plan. However, the university’s general counsel has recommended setting up rules that would address the exclusion of handling certain situations, such as sexual harassment. The faculty representative is working with with the attorney to draw up a joint approval letter to be presented to the administration. (NU GFC 2007-08 Annual Report; GFC Minutes 1/7/09.)

Most Ombuds programs at peer universities serve all campus stakeholders -- faculty, staff and students -- with any and all issues. If approved, Northwestern’s Ombuds will work only with faculty and only with a limited set of concerns. At most universities, faculty issues of all varieties comprise less than 15% of the Ombuds case load. So Northwestern is getting just a tiny slice of the benefit of a robust Ombuds program. Only time will tell whether this a step in the right direction or simply too little to justify the effort.

Prior post: Ombuds Rising: Three More Universities Considering Ombuds Offices.

Department of Surgery at Northwestern Medical School to Name Ombuds

The Department of Surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine has opened a search for its own internal Ombudsperson. The new position will serve surgical residents and supplement, but not replace, the existing Ombuds for the School of Medicine (Lisa Rone and Ike Okwuosa). Only faculty are eligible for the part-time appointment, which will last two to three years and include a $10,000 stipend. The move to create a dedicated Ombuds for the department was prompted by recent surveys revealing persistent mistreatment of trainees. (Dept Surg Position Description.)

San Francisco State University Appoints First Ombuds

The California State University in San Francisco has appointed Christina Sabee as its first Employee Ombudsperson and Dean of Equity Initiatives. In this position, Sabee will "consult on all matters of concern or conflict among employees at SF State, regardless of rank, affiliation or union membership." She has also been a member of the faculty since 2007 and is on leave from her position as Professor in the Communication Studies Department to take on the new work.

New Ombuds Serves Trainees at Northwestern University's Medical School

Last summer, Lisa Rone, became the first Ombudsperson for the students, residents, and fellows at the Feinberg School of Medicine. Rone is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She was chosen "because she is a neutral, third-party physician who is not otherwise involved with the academic promotion or evaluation of Feinberg students, residents and fellows and who is committed to ensuring that students, residents and fellows are treated fairly and equitably." 

American Educational Research Association Adds a Conference Ombuds

Kamaria B. Porter will join Shannon Lynn Burton as Ombuds for AERA's annual conference, April 23-27, 2025. The professional association for academic researchers implemented an Ombuds program for conference attendees, staff, exhibitors, vendors, and others in 2019. Porter is Porter is the Associate Ombuds at Northwestern University and a long-time AERA annual meeting attendee. Burton is the University Ombudsperson at Michigan State University and was one of two inaugural Ombuds for AERA. (AERA Newsroom.)

Illinois State Legislator Floats Proposal for College Athlete Ombuds

Reacting to recent controversy in the athletics program at Northwestern University, one state legislator is promising a bill to mandate an Ombuds for college athletes. Kambium "Kam" Buckner (D-26), a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, told the local CBS affiliate that he would be sponsoring legislation to create an athlete bill of rights. According to the report, "the lawmaker wants to mandate an 'ombudsman,' a person who athletes can come to, other than a coach, to whistleblow without fear of retaliation." No further details have been released by Buckner's office. (CBS Chicago.) 

Job Posting: Northern Illinois University

The public research university in DeKalb has opened a search for its next University Ombudsperson. The search will fill a position vacated by Sarah Klaper, who moved to Northwestern, and filled on an interim basis by Merlynette Griffin since August 2021. The NIU Ombudsperson reports to the Office of the President and provides services to over 20,000 students, faculty and staff.