Job Posting: MD Anderson Cancer Center

The leading cancer research and treatment center in Houston is hiring an Ombudsperson.  The position will join an office that serves all members of the MD Anderson workforce, including faculty, trainees and fellows of the institution. 

Job Posting: Presbyterian Healthcare Services

The non-profit health care system New Mexico is hiring an Ombudsman to be based in Albuquerque. The position, "serves to impartially investigate, address and resolve Member issues while operating with a significant degree of independence from PHP management." In addition, the Ombuds will track and analyze trends and opportunities to continuously improve services. This may be a new position--a search of the PHS website does not return any results for an Ombudsman.

Job Posting: United Nations Development Programme

The United Nations' global development network has opened a search for an Ombudsman. The position functions as a complementary part of the UN Ombudsman and Mediation Services Office and handles issues raised by staff and related personnel of the Funds and Programmes. The position is based in New York.

University of Utah Health Sciences Appoints First Ombuds

The only university health system in Utah has designated Dr. Michael Cohen as its first Health Sciences Ombudsman. Cohen provides independent, confidential, informal, and impartial alternative dispute resolution services primarily for faculty, but will also see other visitors, including trainees, students, and post-doctoral fellows.

Northeast Ohio Medical University Names First Ombuds

The public medical school has appointed Angela E. Dash as its first Ombuds.  Dash reports directly to NEOMED's president and serves over 2,000 faculty, staff, and students. Prior to her current position, Dash had more than 15 years’ experience in state and county government in Georgia. 

ABA Dispute Resolutions Newsletter Focuses on Ombuds

The February newsletter from the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution highlights Ombuds. An introduction by Chuck Howard explains that the Dispute Resolution Section, "has put together four articles for this newsletter designed to present both a background on ombuds issues and types of ombuds programs (Classical, Organizational, and Advocate)."

Ombuds Training to be Offered in Atlanta

The International Ombudsman Association will offer several training programs before its annual conference in Atlanta, April 17-19, 2015.  The courses include a three-day training on fundamentals for new Ombuds to shorter, specialized courses for experienced practitioners.

Meet the New Ombuds at Universitat de València

Elena Grau was recently installed as the Ombudsman at the University of Valencia, one of Spain's leading academic institutions. In an interview, Grau explained that her role is to protect the rights and freedoms of university stakeholders. She works to uphold the rules and ethical principals of the University, by providing advice, guidance, mediation, and recommendations for resolutions.

Hawaii Legislature Takes Up Bill to Reestablish Ombuds Office at University of Hawai'i

Last week, the Hawaii State House Committee on Higher Education unanimously approved a bill (HI HB96) to establish and appopriate funds for an Ombuds Office at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Sponsored by Rep Isaac Choy [D], the legislation reflects the latest effort to restart an Ombuds program that existed from 2006 through 2009, when it was closed during a UH budget crisis. The bill would allocate funds for an office to open in July 2015. 

Call for Presenters: Summer Academic Ombuds Meeting

The 13th Annual Summer Academic Ombuds Meeting Planning Committee invites the submission of abstracts for interactive discussions at the 2015 meeting.  The conference is returning to its original location at Northern Illinois University on July 26-17, 2015.  It provides an opportunity for academic ombuds to become better acquainted, to share concerns unique to our professional environments, and to support and learn from each other’s experiences in a relatively-intimate setting. 

Texas Association of Mediators Annual Conference Will Feature Ombuds

The organization of ADR professionals in Texas will hold its annual conference in San Antonio on February 20-21, 2015.  The conference will include two sessions about Ombuds.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Revamps Ombuds Office

Last summer, Wisconsin's second largest university appointed Nadya Fouad to the newly created position of Special Assistant to the Provost for Conflict Resolution. In this role, Fouad heads a ten-member Ombuds Council, which provides impartial and confidential conflict resolution services to UWM employees. 

IOA Posts Agenda for Tenth Annual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association will mark its tenth anniversary at an annual conference in Atlanta, April 19-22.  Here's an overview of the conference which will be held at the Sheraton Atlanta:

Internships: United Nations, New York

The Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services is offering full-time, two-month, unpaid internships in its New York offices.  The positions support to UNOMS Mediation Services; help identify systemic issues; support outreach and advocacy efforts; and help preparing data and reports.

Ombuds Exposes Sanctions Practices at University of Ottawa

A report by uOttawa Ombudsperson Lucie Allaire says that the university has been using academic sanctions for non-academic student offenses.  The problem with the process, according to Lucie Allaire, is that there are no clear policies, including an appeal right for accused students.   In response to the report, a senior administrator said the university would update its policies.  (The Fulcrum.)

UC Riverside Ombuds Publishes 2014 Annual Report

UCR Ombuds, Andrew Larratt-Smith, reports that 170 individuals consulted him in the 2013-13 academic year, a slight increase from the prior year.   Case data, however, are not the focus of the report.  Instead, Larratt-Smith devotes most of his report to explaining 'conflict wellness' and its relevance for the campus and the Ombuds. (UCR Ombuds Report.)