North Carolina State University Ombuds Works to Assist Students Hit by Hurricane Florence

NC State students recovering from the recent storm are getting help from a program started by the Student Ombuds, Michael Giancola. Pack Essentials offers help for students in need of food, housing, financial, and educational assistance. And, because it's run through the Ombuds Office, students are able to discuss their needs confidentially.

FINRA Ombuds Publishes 2017 Report

The Office of the Ombudsman for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, says that its caseload declined to 717 in 2017, a 5.2% decrease from the prior year and a 9.4% decline from the high caseload of 791 in 2015.  The decrease was driving primarily by lower numbers of cases from brokers. In addition to external stakeholders, the FINRA Ombuds also hears from employees and last year there were 25 employee cases. (FINRA 2017 Report.)

VCU's 2018 National Conflict Resolution Day Program to Feature Green Climate Fund Ombuds

Donna Douglass Williams, the first Ombudsperson for the Green Climate Fund, will be the featured speaker at the annual event hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University Ombudsman William King on October 16, 2018.  This is the sixth time National Conflict Resolution Day has been marked at VCU. The event is free and open to the public.  

U.S. Department of Labor to Create Ombuds Program for Federal Contractors

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs will implement an Ombud Service to resolve concerns faced by government contractors. According to Department of Labor Directive 2018-09 issued last week, the new program will "facilitate the fair and equitable resolution of specific types of concerns raised by OFCCP external stakeholders in coordination with regional and district offices." This is also intended to increase the agency's transparency and communication with stakeholders.

Job Re-posting: Minneapolis Public Schools

The Minnesota school district with over 36,000 students is still seeking applications for its next Ombudsperson. The full-time position reports to the MPS Chief of Staff and works with parents, students, community members and employees.

Someone is Pitching a TV Show About an Ombuds

A recent story in the New York Times about Apple moving into the streaming TV business, included a mention of a potential show featuring an Ombuds. Apple apparently passed on the idea, but it may be offered to Amazon. 

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Duke University Ombuds Presents 2018 Annual Report

Thomas Metzloff, who just completed his first year as the Faculty Ombuds at Duke, presented an annual report to the faculty senate. He said that he handled about 60 cases and called on the university to expand the number of Ombuds.

Don Hartsock: Founding Ombuds at UCLA

Donald Hartsock, who served as the first Ombudsman at UCLA passed away on September 1, 2018 at the age of 90. Hartsock was pointed in 1969 in response to student protests and served the campus until 1991. He was one of the original founders of the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds and the University and College Ombuds Association. A memorial service will be held on October 6 at Westwood Presbyterian Church, where he once served as minister. (Legacy Obituary.)

Seattle to Create Ombuds Office for City Employees

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced last week that she will create an independent Ombuds program for city executive branch employees. The move would position Seattle as the largest city with an Organizational Ombuds program. Durkan's decision came in response to an organized complaint workplace sexual and racial harassment earlier this year.

San Francisco State University Appoints First Ombuds

The California State University in San Francisco has appointed Christina Sabee as its first Employee Ombudsperson and Dean of Equity Initiatives. In this position, Sabee will "consult on all matters of concern or conflict among employees at SF State, regardless of rank, affiliation or union membership." She has also been a member of the faculty since 2007 and is on leave from her position as Professor in the Communication Studies Department to take on the new work.

Lakehead University Selects Ombuds

Rob Thompson has been appointed the Lakehead University Ombudsperson. Thompson is already familiar with the role. He recently served as the Ombudsperson Support Officer at the International Organization for Migration in Geneva. At Lakehead, he will works with 11,000 faculty, staff, and students on a part-time basis while he completes a Master's in Conflict Resolution at the University of Bradford in the UK. (Lakehead Ombuds.)

Northern Arizona University Taps Next Faculty Ombudsman

NAU has appointed Bruce Fox for a three-year term as Faculty Ombudsman. He succeeds Gene Moan and will work with about 1,500 faculty members at the campus in Flagstaff. has been named to a three-year term as the Faculty Ombudsman at NAU. Fox has been a faculty member ince 1985 and is a Professor in the School of Forestry. 

University of Rochester Med Center Opens Ombuds Program for Grad Students and Trainees

The academic medical center in Upstate New York has created an Ombuds program to serve graduate students, postdoctoral appointees, and trainees. Three faculty members provide confidential, neutral, independent, and informal consultations in person or by phone. The Ombuds are Bob Freeman, Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology; Krystel Huxlin, Professor of Ophthalmology; and Chris Seplaki, Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences. The program began operating in December 2017. (URMC Ombuds.)

Francis Marion University Creates Ombuds Program

The public liberal arts university has named Katherine Barnette as its first Student Ombudsman. She serves a student body of 4,200 students on the campus near Florence, South Carolina. Her work follow IOA standards of confidentiality, neutrality, informality and independent. She reports to the VP of Student Affairs & Dean of Students.

Job Re-posting: Columbia College Chicago

The independent, private, liberal arts college in Illinois has re-opened its search for an Academic Ombudsperson. (A search that opened in July apparently hasn't been successful.) The part-time position will be available to full-time faculty members with workplace or academic conflicts. The Ombuds will report to the Provost for administrative and budgetary purposes. 

Lehigh University Appoints New Faculty Ombuds

Elizabeth (Beth) Dolan has been named the second Ombudsperson for the private university in Bethlehem, PA. She joins Robert Thornton, who has served in role since 2014. Dolan is an Associate Professor of English and has been at Lehigh since 2001. The Lehigh Ombuds office serves about 9,000 faculty, staff, and students. 

Ombuds at University of Washington Offers Perspective

Chuck Sloane, the University Ombud at UW (he is one of the few that drops the 's' from the neutered label), was interviewed for the campus newsletter. The wide-ranging conversation covered his career path, and explanation of the Ombuds role and challenges gained during his five-year tenure.

Internship Opportunity: UNICEF, New York

The United Nations Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services is seeking an intern for UNICEF (and including UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS, and UN Women) in New York City.  The full-time, paid internship will last 26 weeks and offers the opportunity to support the office's mediation training, outreach, and advocacy. The position starts before the end of November.

Video Introduces University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Ombuds Program

A new video explains the work of the UW-Milwaukee's Ombuds Council. The seven members provides impartial and confidential conflict resolution services to 5,000 university employees. The video features Nadya Fouad, Chair of the Ombuds Council, and council members Jeanne Wagner, Clinical Associate Professor & Director of Social Work Field Education, and David Pate, Chair of Social Work & Associate Professor. (YouTube.)

University of Iowa Ombuds Reports Surge in Cases

In her latest annual report, UI University Ombudsperson, Cynthia Joyce, says that her office received 737 visitors in 2017-18, a 10% increase from the prior year. Staff comprised more than half the visitors and the hierarchical relationship issues predominated. 

Job Posting: Rochester Institute of Technology

The private university in Upstate New York has opened a search for an Associate Ombudsperson. The position will report to John Johnston, who became the University Ombudsperson this summer, and replace Lee Twyman, who ran the office single-handedly for nearly 15 years. The RIT Ombuds Office practices to IOA standards and serves over 24,000 students, faculty, staff, and administrators. 

United Nations Publishes Interview with New Ombuds

Shireen L. Dodson, who started her job as the United Nations Ombudsman earlier this month, was interviewed by the UN's news organization. She traces the arc of her career, which had its origins as child peace-maker at Thanksgiving dinner. 

Job Posting: California State University Channel Islands

The public university in Ventura County has reopened the search for its first University Ombuds Officer. (A search last fall apparently was unsuccessful.) The position serves about 1,100 faculty and staff and reports to the University president. Although not mentioned in the job description, the Cal State University Ombuds cannot keep sexual misconduct allegations confidential. The position is required to receive IOA training.

ABA to Host Ombuds Day Reception in Washington, DC

The American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section Ombuds Committee is hosting a reception in the nation's capital the inaugural Ombuds Day on October 11, 2018.

Job Posting: Halliburton

The Halliburton Dispute Resolution Program in Houston is hiring an Dispute Resolution Analyst -- essentially that of an entry-level position in an Organizational Ombuds office. Depending on the applicant's qualification, there are increased opportunities for Ombuds duties. 

Job Posting: African Development Bank Group

The multilateral development finance institution based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire has opened a search for a second Ombudsman. (It appears that a search for this new position earlier this year was not successful.) The job in the AfDB Office of Ombudsman and Mediator reports to the Ombudsman, Alisand Singogo, and provides impartial, confidential, independent and informal assistance to staff with workplace grievances and complaints. Some travel to country offices is required.

Job Posting: The New School

The private university in New York City is hiring a Student Ombudsman for Enrollment and Success. The part-time position reports to the Chief Enrollment and Success Officer and serves a student population of about 10,000. The work hours will be three hours a day, two days a week. A few years ago, Keisha Davenport-Ramirez served as the Student Ombuds at the New School and has now moved into an administrative position. Ann-Louise Shapiro has been the Faculty and Staff Ombuds since 2017.

Update: Cal Caucus 2018 Reaches Capacity

Organizers of the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds say that registration for the event is now closed, having reached the attendance limit for the space. People interested in attending may join a waitlist. (Cal Caucus Info.)

Job Posting: Holyoke Community College

The public community college in Massachusetts with 9,000 students is hiring its first Ombudsperson and Chief Culture Officer to start in January 2019. The full-time position will report to the college president and serve, "as a designated impartial, neutral, and confidential employee who: assists faculty and staff in dispute resolution through informal and formal means, including consulting and mediation; advocates for a fair conflict management system and supports changes to achieve these goals; and serves in an independent capacity." 

IOA Posts Teaser Video for 2019 Annual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association has posted a video promoting its 14th annual conference (“Ombuds: Providing Calm in a Conflicted World” at the New Orleans Sheraton, April 1-3, 2019). It seems to feature nearly everyone who attended the 2018 conference. The voiceover testimonials are not identified, however. (YouTube.)

Job Posting: KU Leuven

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, the prominent research university in Flanders, Belgium, is hiring a Student Monitor/Counselor/Ombuds in the Department of Engineering. The full-time position supports and works with undergraduate students. The Ombuds-component of the job involves providing confidential, independent, and neutral assistance to students, including mediation if necessary. In addition, the position acts as a resource for faculty with diversity issues. 

Tool-Kit Offers Resources for Ombuds Day

Organizers of the first annual Ombuds Day on October 11, 2018 have published a tool-kit for practitioners, programs, and organizations. The resources include articles, resources, case examples, marketing and outreach materials, social media materials, proclamations, press releases, and ideas for celebrations. Organizers of local events and activities are encouraged to share their ideas with the ABA Ombuds Day Task Force Co-Chairs Jon Lee and Lauren Marx. (Ombuds Day Tool-Kit.)

New Ombuds at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Offers an Office Tour

Nicole Klein became a Faculty Ombuds at SIUE earlier this year. This week, she posted a video walk through of her office, selfie-style. Klien is an Associate Professor in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. She works with another Faculty Ombuds, Seran Aktuna, a Professor of English Language & Literature. Together, they provide Ombuds services to about 1,000 faculty members. (SIUE Ombuds; YouTube.)

New Ombuds for Baylor College of Medicine Interviewed

Melanie Jagneuax, who became the BCM Ombuds earlier this year  was interviewed for the staff newsletter. She talks about her role as Ombuds, career path, and personal interests.  (BCM Family.)

Job Posting: World Food Programme

The food assistance branch of the United Nations is hiring an Ombudsman. This job is part of the Office of the Ombudsman and Mediation Services and is based in Rome. Frequent travel to other locations to provide conflict resolution services is required.

NC State Ombuds is a Consistent Blogger

North Carolina State University Faculty & Staff Ombuds Roy Baroff has written regular blog posts since January 2015, shortly after his appointment. His posts range from thoughts on the profession and his relationship with NC State to more personal musings. Baroff is the most consistent Ombuds blogger in the past several years. Highly recommended.(NCSU Faculty Ombuds Blog.)

Wake Tech Ombuds Interviewed

Wake Technical Community College's Ombuds, Jerry Nuesell, was the first guest for interviewed for a series by the school's EVP, Gayle Greene. (YouTube.)

Related post: Wake Tech Opens Campus Ombuds Office; Wake Tech Ombuds Posts an Introductory Video.

California State University Sacramento Defers Appointment of First Ombuds

After a national search yielding experienced applicants for the position, Sacramento State has decided against hiring its first Ombuds. Emails to finalists for the position simply stated that the university had "decided not to fill the position at this time." 

Related: Job Posting.

Job Posting: United Health Services

The regional not-for-profit health care system based in Binghamton, New York, is hiring its first Employee Ombudsperson. (In May, the organization started a search for a Talent Management Specialist with many of the same duties). The full-time position serves as the, "designated neutral dispute resolution practitioner who provides confidential and informal assistance to [7,000] UHS employees."

FCO-ACCUO 2019 Conference Call for Papers

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons are taking speaker proposals for their next biennial conference, set for April 15-17, 2019 at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto.  

Job Posting: Harvard Medical School

The Ombuds Office for Harvard’s Medical, Dental and Public Health Schools is hiring its first Associate Ombudsperson. The position will report to Melissa Brodrick, who, like her predecessors, has run a solo practice. The full-time position will provide services to faculty, staff, students, trainees and appointees for an initial two-year appointment. 

IOA Seeks Nominations for 2019 Board of Directors

The International Ombudsman Association is seeking nomination for Directors who will serve a three-year term starting in April 2019. There will be three open seats. For the first time in several years, the board will be filling only termed-out seats and not replacing directors who stepped down early. Nominations are due by September 19; voting begins November 7; and election results are announced in January 2019.

Oklahoma State University Names Next Ombuds

The land-grant university in Stillwater has appointed Sue Williams as its Ombuds Officer, succeeding Kenneth Bartels who served since 2015.  Williams has worked for OSU over four decades in a range of professional and volunteer capacities, including professor and department head. 

Cooper Medical School Names First Ombuds

The public medical school connected to Rowan University in New Jersey has appointed Debrah Meislich as its first Ombuds. Meislich, who is also an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, provides independent, neutral, confidential, and informal dispute resolution services for 340 medical students.

ENOHE and ACCUO Publish Report from 2018 Conference

A report summarizes the proceedings of 2018 joint conference of the European Network of Ombudsmen in Higher Education and Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons. The conference, "Resolving Conflicts on Campus:
Strategies for Enhanced Policies and Effective Operations," was held on June 6-8, 2018 at the University of Edinburgh. 

Østfold University Opens Search for First Student Ombuds

The public university in southern Norway (Høgskolen i Østfold) expects to hire its first Studentombud by the end of the calendar year. Plans for the position began in the early spring of 2018. The new Ombuds will split time between the school's campuses in  Østfold, Fredrikstad, and Halden to reach 4,000 students.

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Unveils Ombuds Program

The medical teaching and research arm of Johns Hopkins University has created an Office of the Ombuds for its medical students. Eleven faculty members aim to help 400 students, "feel comfortable reporting instances of mistreatment, discrimination, and other related experiences." The faculty Ombuds come from a variety of departments and programs so that students can be assigned without concern for a conflict of interest.

IOA Announces Research Agenda for Ombuds Profession

The International Ombudsman Association has created a guide for future research of the professional. A committee appointed by the IOA Board of Directors has published an article, "The Research Agenda for the Organizational Ombuds Profession: A Living Document," which outlines eight new goals.