Fundraiser Marks End of Litigation for Ombuds at University of Mississippi

United Campus Workers of Mississippi, an employee union at Ole Miss, has launched a fundraiser to offset legal expenses incurred by University Ombuds, Paul Caffera, in his existential litigation with his employer. After several years, the lawsuit has now apparently concluded.

The UCWM website explains:

Through his lawsuit, Mr. Caffera prevented an intrusion into faculty email correspondence through injunctive relief. Moreover, he secured for us all a new and firm commitment from the Chancellor to the confidentiality of the Ombuds office.

Although the Office of the Ombudsperson Charter agreement stipulates that “In accordance with the IOA’s Best Practices, the Office of the Ombudsperson shall have access to independent legal counsel when necessary in order to fulfill the functions of the position,” in reality, the University has refused to provide legal counsel, leaving Mr. Caffera to secure his own legal counsel since October 2020.

Legal proceedings are now concluded, leaving Mr. Caffera with sizable outstanding legal fees incurred in the defense of the office and in defense of UM employees. This fund is intended to help alleviate this financial burden Mr. Caffera has voluntarily incurred.

An similar GoFundMe effort raised $3,241 for Caffera in early 2021. (UCWM Blog.)

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; Caffera Resumes Duties at University of Mississippi; University of Mississippi Ombuds Offers Secure Data Portal.