Four years ago, Ruth Deech was appointed the first independent adjudicator for Britain’s 147 universities. Since then, Deech has dealt with thousands of stand-offs between students and their universities. Last year her team handled 1,400 inquiries and 600 grievances and found for the student in a quarter of the cases. Deech is retiring soon and warns that student discontent is growing steadily. Although her office is expanding to deal with the expected rise in complaints, Deech also says that “Universities need to take a positive attitude to complaints.” In particular, “We are in favour of bringing in a US-style system of campus ombudsmen. Just like you have a college doctor we want a college ombudsman in every university.” (Times Online.)
Related post: University Ombuds Still Rare in UK Due to New Judicial Process.
This seems to be a unique opportunity for IOA to expand its international influence. Just imagine dozens of organizational ombuds offices across the United Kindgom...
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