The Ombuds Blog: New Ombuds Office at Carleton College

September 28, 2007

New Ombuds Office at Carleton College

The Minnesota liberal arts college opened an Ombuds Office for faculty and staff this fall to provide confidential, impartial, objective, and informal alternative for resolution of work-related concerns. The first ombuds, Joanne Mullen reports directly to the Vice President and Treasurer of the College. Previously, Mullen acted as Carleton’s Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Consultant. (Carleton Ombuds Office.)

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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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