University of Bern Appoints Ombuds for Staff

Switzerland's third largest university (Universität Bern or Université de Berne) has named Silvio Decurtins, a Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, as its first Ombudsperson. Decurtins will serve university employees "directly involved in complaints relating to their employment relationship ... if no other authorities are, or were, involved in formal proceedings." The position is independent of other university offices and the work is strictly confidential.

Decurtins earned his PhD at the University of Bern and did a postdoctoral research fellowship at Oregon State University. (UniBe Ombuds.)