Loyola Marymount University Selects Next Ombuds

The private university in Los Angeles, California, has reassigned its Ombuds duties to Ariane White, Director of LUM's Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center Alliance. Previously, the Ombuds role was held by Emelyn dela Peña, VP for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In both of her capacities White reports to dela Peña. As the Ombuds, White will serve all university employees.

Meet the New Ombuds at Universiteit Leiden

When he became the Ombudsman for Students at the University of Leiden in May, Eugène van der Heijden inherited 35 cases from his predecessor, Jacqueline van Meerkerk. Since then, he has received 45 more. All of his cases involve students who they think they have been treated improperly by a staff member or by one of the university’s administrative bodies. 

Job Posting: Rochester University

The private, nonsectarian, research university in New York is hiring a "University Intercessor and ADA/504 Coordinator." The first position is essentially that of an Ombuds. "The University Intercessor is responsible for neutral and impartial dispute resolution, providing confidential and informal assistance to all constituents of the University community...with respect to issues of perceived unfair or improper treatment or bias." The Intercessor has been a Rochester resource for four decades. 

Job Posting: Federal Reserve System

The governing board of the US central bank is hiring a Manager Reserve Bank Services Section & Deputy Ombudsman. The position: 1. Provides oversight for the Federal Reserve Directors Program and other operations; and 2. Assists in resolving questions and complaints from supervised institutions and members of the public regarding the Federal Reserve System’s supervisory and regulatory activities.

Job Posting: Federal Highway Administration

The U.S. Department of Transportation division is hiring a Human Resources Specialist which, among other job duties, will provide "ombudsman employee relations related support services to FHWA employees." The FHWA has about 3,000 employees.  

Humboldt State Ombuds Encourages Students to Call Their Legislators

Scott Paynton, Ombuds at Humboldt State University in California, is urging students to become active participants in changing their school’s funding. Paynton, who is also a professor of Communication, has two specific goals: to get students to turn off their cell phones and to write their state representatives about restoring funding to the CSU. (The Lumberjack.)

Related post: New Humboldt State Ombuds Debut Website.

Appointment of Interim Ombuds at McGill Raises Concerns

Student leaders at McGill University in Montreal are concerned by the appointment of Linda Jacobs Starkey as Interim Ombuds because she continues to serve as associate dean of students. McGill Students' Society Vice-President of University Affairs Nadya Wilkinson worried about the effect of the perceived conflict of interest created by the dual role. "Legitimacy should be the strongest asset in the ombudsperson's portfolio," Wilkinson said. An editorial in the student newspaper also criticized the appointment:

Ideally, the ombudsperson should be drawn from outside the McGill administration to emphasize their independence. At the very least, they shouldn't be serving simultaneously as an ombudsperson and an administrator.

The solution to the current problem lies in Jacobs Starkey's title: interim ombudsperson. Four weeks is an acceptable interim. Four months is not. The Tribune would like to see a new ombudsperson appointed before the end of the current semester. We urge the committee responsible to meet as soon as possible, and we urge the administration to expedite the appointment process. After all, cutting through red tape is what the ombudsperson is all about.

The administration defended the decision and has said that a committee to appoint a permanent Ombuds meet before the end of the semester to discuss potential candidates. (McGill Tribune News; Opinion.)

Related post: McGill Surveys Students to Develop Ombuds Mandate.