Profile of New Ombuds at Queen's University

The Queen's Gazette is running a series about the new Office of the University Ombudsman. About two years ago, Queen's converted the Dispute Resolution Mechanisms program into the Ombuds Office. Harry Smith, who was the Coordinator of Dispute Resolution Mechanisms became the Ombuds. Although the two programs were similar in function, the Ombuds has a different reporting structure and brings Queen's into line with many other Canadian colleges and universities that have Ombuds offices.

If anything, according to Mr. Smith, the natural evolution to an Office of the University Ombudsman strengthens access to independent, impartial, and confidential advice for staff, faculty, and students.

“Creating this office reinforces independence from administrative structures,” says Mr. Smith, who notes that the office now reports to the audit and risk committee of Queen’s Board of Trustees. “We have found that many people have a general understanding of what an ombudsman does. We are looking to build on that knowledge to increase the awareness of our services and, as a result, enhance institutional accountability.”

The three-part series concludes this week.  (Queen's Gazette.)

Related post: Queen's University Considers Ombuds Program.