Ombuds at University of Massachusetts Amherst Posts 2021 Annual Report

Martha Patrick, CO-OP, the University Ombudsperson at UMass Amherst, reports that her office provided services to 430 visitors during the 2020-21 fiscal year. The office serves the entire campus and students comprised more than half of the visitors. As a share of visitors, staff declined significantly, which Patrick attributed to remote work and staff reductions. The report also reveals that the university recently "made the decision to reallocate resources, and reduce the Ombuds Office staffing level to one full-time ombudsperson and a part-time office manager." Notably overlooked during the pandemic was the 50th anniversary of the Ombuds Office at UMass Amherst in 2020. (UMass Amherst Ombuds 2021 Report.)

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