The Ombuds Blog: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Debuts Ombuds Program

January 30, 2024

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Debuts Ombuds Program

The scientific research center within the University System of Maryland has created an Ombuds program for its 300-500 employees. UMCES has contracted with the McCammon Group, an ADR consulting business headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Jacqueline Villafañe and Tahirih Varner are the inaugural, part-time Ombuds and will practice to IOA standards.

Villafane was the Corporate Ombuds for the American Red Cross and has served on the IOA Board of Directors since 2021. Varner has been an Ombuds for Georgia State University, the University of West Georgia, and currently the U.S. Department of the Interior. (UCES Ombuds; Villafane Linkedin; Varner LinkedIn.)

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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.

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January 30, 2024

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Debuts Ombuds Program

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