Winthrop University Moves to Establish an Ombuds Office

Faculty at the public liberal arts university in Rock Hill, South Carolina are considering a proposal to create an Ombuds Office for its 850 faculty and staff. An advisory committee has drafted IOA-compliant terms of reference and charter for the program. A draft of the proposal was presented to Faculty Conference for feedback at it's regular meeting in April 2018. 

Under the proposed plan, Winthrop would appoint an Ombuds to a half-time, three-year term. The new Ombuds would be supported by an advisory committee of six faculty and staff members. Professor Michael Lipscomb, Chair of the Faculty Conference, said that the proposal is being vetted by WU’s legal counsel and he expects it to be presented for a vote of approval by the faculty at the beginning of the 2018-19 academic year. (WU Faculty Agenda.)