This is Sinocruz's first job as an Ombuds. As an attorney, he has worked on education civil rights issues as a Supervisory Attorney and Team Leader at the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and as a Staff Attorney at the Advancement Project in Washington, D.C. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Stanford University, and JD from UCLA School of Law. The CU Boulder Ombuds Office websites notes that Sincruz is awaiting admission to the Colorado Bar. (CU Boulder Ombuds.)
Related posts: University of Colorado Hires an Experienced Ombuds; Emeritus Faculty Joins University of Colorado Ombuds Office; University of Colorado Signs First Charter; Ombuds at University of Colorado: Annual Report Reflects Lingering COVID Concerns; University of Colorado Boulder’s Ombuds Office Celebrates 50 years; Job Posting.
Didn't the job require 5 years Ombuds experience? So odd to require JD in the post for "operational reasons" (plus 5 yrs Ombuds experience), then hire someone with zero years and now list their pending bar admission on the Ombuds webpage. Head scratching.
ReplyDeleteSo nice of you to challenge the credentials of an ombuds new to the field. Also, as a practical matter you don't know the internal policies of the program. CU may accept related experience. I think you are confusing pettiness with insight.
DeleteReally??!! The only head scratcher here is how anyone could see Jason as underqualified. If I was hiring an Associate Ombuds for my office, I would be delighted to see someone of his caliber show up in my applicant pool. Degrees from impressive institutions, higher ed experience, member of two bar associations with one pending (and the California bar is no joke – I’m not familiar with DC or Colorado), AND Supervisory Attorney at Department of Ed, Office of Civil Rights! Wow!
DeleteFull disclosure: I also got my J.D. from UCLAW and participated in the Critical Race Studies program there. So, maybe I’m a little biased… or maybe my experience qualifies me to vouch for the fact that these credentials are both impressive and extremely relevant to Ombuds work.
Congratulations Kirsi! It looks like you hired a very serious individual.
And welcome to the field Jason from a fellow Bruin!
Congrats, Jason! I wish you well and much success in this role.
ReplyDeleteI think it required 5 years ombuds or related experience and a JD (which doesn’t mean they have to be licensed anywhere) although Jason is licensed in two jurisdictions.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the Ombuds field Jason!
ReplyDeleteWhen 5-years really means "no direct experience required, but we will substitute "X." This is not to say substitutions are not appropriate, only that the option should be spelled out clearly in job postings
ReplyDelete********** I'm over this petty BS in the comments. If people can't be professional and respectful, I'll stop allowing any anonymous commentary. **********
ReplyDeleteCheers to this! Requiring people to stand behind their words fosters accountability, creates space for thoughtful, respectful dialogue, and raises the quality of conversation.
DeleteAgreed, Tom. Seeing this kind of commentary repeatedly is both disheartening and disappointing. I can only imagine how discouraging it must feel for someone new to the field, who’s just started a job they care deeply about, to encounter remarks like these and then wonder how they might be received at the next professional gathering. It’s no surprise, then, that the IOA community is sometimes viewed as unwelcoming or cliquish to newcomers.
ReplyDeleteAs ombuds, we should take a hard look at ourselves and be honest about how often we fall short of the values we promote. What example are we setting for others when our own behavior contradicts the very principles/values we claim to uphold?
Offering feedback and asking tough questions are both important and necessary; however, how we do so matters just as much as what we say. Tone, intention, and impact all count—and of all people, we should understand this best. Yes, we’re human, and frustration is natural, but as professionals who claim a commitment to fairness, empathy, and respect, we must hold ourselves to those same standards. If that feels difficult in the moment, at the very least, refrain from airing it publicly. Pick up the phone or send a message directly to someone, and have a real, honest conversation instead.
We can—and must—do better.
The fact that you commented anonymously underscores your point.
DeleteIn Miami, during a presentation, an ombud with a co ombud talked about having a profound set of disagreements with their co ombud, and commented about how their boss (the Provost) chuckled when exclaiming ( in sum and substance) "It's so funny, my ombuds can't even get along."
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to see ombuds not assume the worst about colleagues and to not to immediately assume negative intentions, especially when observing from afar. Like it or not, there are no particular qualifications to do this work well. Institutions make their choices for myriad reasons and according to their own processes.