July 12, 2024

California State University Channel Islands Closes Ombuds Office

The public university in Ventura, California, abruptly closed its Ombuds Office this week. An announcement on the website for the office states: "We regret to announce that as of July 10, 2024, our Ombuds office has permanently closed." Mark Patterson established the office in July 2019, initially seeing only employees and later expanding the service to students in 2022. He had previously served as the Ombuds for the College of William & Mary. Patterson is active in the Ombuds community and was elected to the IOA Board of Directors in 2022. 

An email from the CSUCI president offered this explanation: 
I am writing to you with difficult news, that after careful consideration the decision has been made to eliminate the Ombuds position. This decision was not made lightly in the face of our budgetary challenges. I share this news widely out of respect for the positive and engaged community member that Mark Patterson, University Ombuds, has been since he came to CSUCI in 2019, and because every faculty and staff member here had the opportunity to access the services he provided. I appreciate the contributions Mark has made in his direct work with members of the campus community and through his participation on several campus committees. 

I know that Mark will be missed by many, particularly by those currently navigating an issue for which ombuds support had been sought. Please know that this decision was not made without thought to campus needs for such support. If you are currently experiencing an issue that you had been addressing through the Ombuds office, please consider contacting the Employee Assistance Program as a confidential resource at 805-437-8490. 

Relatedly, I would also like you to know that we are making significant progress toward addressing many recommendations in the Cozen O’Connor Report, including those that require each CSU campus and the Chancellor’s Office to develop an action plan for addressing “other conduct of concern” (OCC, i.e., behavior that is problematic but that does not violate either Title IX or the CSU policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation). Through addressing OCC more systematically, we intend to provide opportunities to support students, staff, and faculty who report behavioral concerns in actionable ways. 

I have assigned Dr. Kaia Tollefson, Chief of Staff, with responsibility for leading the development of an OCC Action Plan and look forward to sharing it with you this Fall. This plan will not replace the loss of our Ombuds office, but I anticipate that our work to create a system, structure, and culture for OCC accountability will benefit our community in ways that will align with the rationale for the creation of an Ombuds office in 2019. 

I am grateful to Mark for his service to the University, and I am grateful to the campus for working together during these challenging periods in service to our students and in support of each other. 

Sincerely, 
Richard Yao, Ph.D. 
President 
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4 comments:

  1. Reese Ramos7/12/2024 11:45 AM

    So sorry to hear the Ombuds Office is closing @ Channel Islands. It sounds like much deliberation may have taken place in light of budget issues. When challenges (such as budget issues) occur I would hope that the Ombuds Office is one of the last items to be cut just because the Ombuds Office is quite often a sanctuary to discuss the challenges that naturally happen in any organization. Mark is a wonderful Ombuds and suspect will indeed be missed by many he has served. I hope he is able to continue serving as an Ombuds in an organization with more stable footing in the near future. Truly a shame.

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    Replies
    1. Mark P.7/12/2024 4:14 PM

      Thanks, Reese! Any deliberation happened in secret, unfortunately, and contrary to my charter. I am not aware of any other contemporaneous releases or closures as well, sadly. So, the Ombuds Office was apparently the first to go, not one of the last.

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  2. Anonymous7/12/2024 9:35 PM

    The comment that employees should
    "please consider contacting the Employee Assistance Program as a confidential resource" exhibits a fundamental lack of understanding about what ombuds do." The value to an organization lies in the uncovering of systemic issues that inhibit organizational success. When people see ombuds primary value as ADR practitioners or a complaint bureau, well, there are others who can do that.

    Mark got a raw deal and, it seems clear from his response to Reese that he had little advance knowledge about the president’s decision. I hope the campus rises up against this decision.

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  3. Ruthy Kohorn Rosenberg7/12/2024 10:57 PM

    So short sighted of this university because Mark is a great Ombuds’s and also I bet he earned his keep several times over by assisting members of the community at all levels.

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