Linguistic Society of America Creates an Ombuds Program

The professional society for the linguistics field has established an Ombuds program for its members. LSA has designated 30 people to serve on its Ombuds Committee. Most are faculty members at universities with Ombuds programs, although none appear to have ever worked as an Ombuds before. According to an announcement, the committee members "have received training materials that will help them prepare for their roles." The Ombuds Committee will be guided by IOA standards (although not explicitly).

Here are the inaugural RSA Ombuds Committee Members (and institutional affiliation):

• Faruk Akkuş (U. Mass.) 
• Eric Acton (Eastern Michigan U.) 
• Matt Barros (Washington U.) 
• John Baugh (Washington U.) 
• Jeremy Calder (U. of Colorado) 
• Qi Cheng (U. of Washington) 
• Elaine Chun (U. of S. Carolina) 
• Sandra Chung (U.C. Santa Cruz) 
• Tracy Conner (Northwestern U.) 
• Michael (Mitcho) Yoshitaka Erlewine (U. of Singapore) 
• Robert (Bob) Frank (Yale U.) 
• Shelome Gooden (U. of Pittsburgh) 
• Lauren Hall-Lew (U. of Edinburgh) 
• Heidi Harley (U. of Arizona) 
• Barbara Johnstone (Carnegie Mellon U.) 
• Chris Kennedy (U. of Chicago) 
• Scott Kiesling (U. of Pittsburgh) 
• Monica Macaulay (U. of Wisconsin) 
• deandre miles-hercules (U.C. Santa Barbara) 
• Savithry Namboodirpad (U. of Michigan) 
• Frederick (Fritz) Newmeyer (U. of Washington) 
• Rafael Orozco (Louisiana State U.) 
• Robin Queen (U. of Michigan) 
• Rebecca Scarborough (U. of Colorado) 
• Michael Terry (U. of North Carolina) 
• Gregory Ward (Northwestern U.) 
• Alicia Wassink (U. of Washington) 
• Tracey Weldon (U. of S. Carolina) 
• Ana Celia Zentella (U.C. San Diego) 
• Lal Zimman (U.C. Santa Barbara)

(LSA News.)

Related posts: 11 Stories that Shaped the Ombuds Profession in the 2010's (Special Interest Groups Begin Appointing Ombuds to Protect and Serve Members); Ombuds as Part of a Social Justice Framework for Associations.