Caffera Resumes Duties at University of Mississippi

In an email last week, Ole Miss Chancellor, Glenn F. Boyce announced that the University Ombuds, Paul Caffera, will return to work. However, the message notably omitted any mention of the Ombuds' confidentiality, which continues to be a legal issue in the university's motion to dismiss Caffera's lawsuit in state chancery court. The undated email, which was provided by a university insider, says:

Dear faculty, staff and graduate students,

Paul Caffera will resume his responsibilities as the University ombuds, effective immediately. I look forward to him once again serving the UM community.

I want to thank William W. Berry III, Montague Professor of Law in the University of Mississippi School of Law, for his service as Acting University Ombuds since December.

As I shared in a previous message, the university is committed to maintaining this important function on our campus as a neutral, independent and informal place to seek assistance voluntarily to bring forth and resolve campus-related concerns.

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce

Chancellor

A hearing on UM's motion to dismiss Caffera's suit is set for hearing on March 24, 2021.

Confidentiality, is of course, a primary ethical tenet of Ombuds practice. The controversy over Caffera's efforts to protect his visitors' identities is widely known on the UM campus. It thus remains to be seen whether anyone would dare communicate with him under the circumstances.

Update: The Mississippi Free Press reached Caffera's attorney for comment. He said Caffera refused to identify any of his visitors despite significant pressure from the university. (MFP.)

Related posts: FOIA Request Reveals Ombuds Feedback About Ole Miss Confederate Monument; University of Mississippi Ombuds Seeks Injunction Against Internal Investigation; University of Mississippi Appoints Interim Ombuds; IOA and Petitioners Support Sidelined Ombuds; IOA Denounces University of Mississippi's Treatment of Ombuds; 2020 Year in Review: Courage and Crises (Paul Caffera at the University of Mississippi); University of Mississippi Moves to Dismiss Suit by Ombuds; Chuck Howard Dissects Controversy Over Ombuds Confidentiality at University of Mississippi; Developments in the University of Mississippi Ombuds Controversy; Caffera Responds to University of Mississippi's Motion to Dismiss.