The new Ombuds will be appointed by the governor and has the authority to monitor and investigate whether universities comply with legislative mandates. Moreover, the new Ombuds can recommend withholding funding from universities found to be out of compliance with political mandates (such as the state' ban on DEI programs). Already faculty are alarmed, especially those seeking to create an Organizational Ombuds office at the University of Texas Dallas. The new Texas law takes effect on September 1, 2025. (TX SB 37 Legis History; Austin American Statesman; LinkedIn post by Renee Withersoon.)
An ombuds of the type Charles XII envisioned in 1713.
ReplyDeleteEffing Abbot is shaming the name of ombuds
ReplyDeleteTheme for IOA 2026: Fear the Ombuds.
ReplyDeleteWill the new Ombuds practice to IOA guidelines? How will they work with Ombuds currently at other Texas universities?
ReplyDeleteRenee Witherspoon's post makes it clear that the new program will not follow IOA standards. It is not clear whether it will interact with existing Ombuds programs at public universities in Texas.
DeleteWhen anyone can call anything an ombuds, we would do well as an academy to come up with a trademarkable term, such as Ombudz, that can be used to distinguish real IOA compliant positions from these other positions.
ReplyDelete