The Ombuds Blog: Ombuds Cases Rebound at University of Pennsylvania

October 26, 2022

Ombuds Cases Rebound at University of Pennsylvania

After a decline due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Penn University Ombuds Jennifer A. Pinto-Martin and Associate Ombuds Marcia Martínez-Helfman report that their cases rose nearly 21% in 2021-22. The number of visitors to Penn's Ombuds increased to 186 last year and employment-related matters continue to represent the majority of issues brought to the office.

The Ombuds exhorted the university to set an example:

Members of the Penn community who are in a position of influencing the culture and climate of the organizational unit to which they belong or lead are encouraged to be mindful of the importance of collegiality and respectful treatment of others, to model those behaviors, and to take action when bad behaviors occur.

Martinez-Helfman announced her retirement this year and a search for her replacement is ongoing. (UPenn Almanac.)

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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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October 26, 2022

Ombuds Cases Rebound at University of Pennsylvania

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