The Ombuds Blog: Pandemic Slows Hiring of First Ombuds at Northwestern University

May 28, 2020

Pandemic Slows Hiring of First Ombuds at Northwestern University

Coalition NU, an ad hoc group of "underrepresented and underserved graduate students demanding justice," reports that the private university has paused its search for an Ombuds. The report is based on statements made by the interim Provost at a town hall meeting earlier today.

Northwestern, like many universities, is struggling to deal with the financial impacts of the coronavirus and has implemented a broad hiring freeze and other cost-cutting measures. (Twitter; Chicago Tribune.)

Related posts: Northwestern University Faculty Seek Campus Ombuds Program; New Ombuds Serves Trainees at Northwestern University's Medical School; Northwestern University Promises an Ombuds Program Next Year; Job Posting.

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Austria -- Ombudsstelle

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany -- Ombudspersonen

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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May 28, 2020

Pandemic Slows Hiring of First Ombuds at Northwestern University

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