Job Posting: tEQuitable

The Oakland-based startup that provides external Ombuds services through a technology-enabled platform, is hiring a part-time contract Organizational Ombuds. The fully remote position will provide assistance to employees of client organizations, offering conflict coaching and consultation while identifying systemic workplace issues and trends. Off-hours work is permitted. 

University of California Ombuds Update Systemwide Statement of Best Practices

The University of California Ombuds Offices have released a revised Declaration of Best Practices, replacing the prior version adopted in 2017. The updated guidance applies to Ombuds Offices at all UC campuses and the UC Office of the President. While reaffirming the core principles of independence, confidentiality, impartiality, and informality, the revision adds extensive guidance on Ombuds office structure, reporting relationships, staffing, selection of Ombuds, and conflicts of interest. The document also updates terminology to align with current IOA standards, replacing references to “neutrality” with “impartiality” and reflecting the association's current name. 

Cornell University Selects Assistant Ombuds

Cornell has hired Maria Zambos as an Assistant Ombuds in its Office of the University Ombuds. She joins University Ombuds Bruce Lewenstein and Assistant Ombuds Ati Alipour in the office that serves students, faculty, and staff across the university. 

ENOHE Announces 2026 Conference Speakers

The European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education has announced speakers and session details for its 21st annual conference at AGH University of Kraków on June 10-12, 2026. This year's theme is "New Developments in a Maturing Profession: Ombuds Skills and AI" will connect emerging issues in artificial intelligence with Ombuds work in higher education.

Palacký University Olomouc Appoints First Ombuds

On February 1, 2026, Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, the second oldest university in the Czech Republic, named Jaroslav Šotola as its inaugural University Ombudsman. In this new role, Sotola serves faculty from eight schools, staff, and 23,000 students, with concerns including bullying, discrimination, abuse of power, sexual harassment, and other conflicts. As the Ombuds, he provides confidential consultations and informal resolution support but does not adjudicate academic or employment matters. 

JIOA Call for Papers: Models for Ombuds Programs

The Journal of the International Ombuds Association is seeking articles for a special issue, "Organizational Ombuds Models: Structures, Strategies, and Implications for Practice." The issue will feature original research articles, case studies, theoretical perspectives, and practice-based insights from scholars and practitioners examining Ombuds program models across industries.

Job Posting: Cornell University

The Ivy League university in Ithaca, New York, has reopened a search for an Assistant Ombuds. (The position was not filled after a search in late 2025.) The new, full-time position will join the University Ombuds, Bruce Lewenstein, and Assistant Ombuds, Ati Alipour. This is a new position and not a replacement for the role held by Linda Falkson, who retired last yearposition. The Assistant Ombuds is an on-campus position that serves faculty, staff, and students (excluding Weill Cornell Medicine).

German Faculty Association Urges Universities to Implement Ombuds Programs

Allgemeiner Fakultätentag, the nationwide umbrella organization for 19 faculty associations and an influential voice on higher education policy in Germany, has issued a position paper addressing power imbalances and misconduct in academic settings, and urging universities to create Ombuds programs. The statement links hierarchical structures and dependency relationships to risks of abuse, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and violations of good scientific practice. AFT calls on universities to promote a culture of openness and accountability and to strengthen preventive measures such as awareness training and responsible leadership development. 

Book Chapter Examines Ombuds Work in Czech Universities

A new book from Springer Nature explores the role of higher education management during crises and analyses the responses and gendered consequences for women in particular. One chapter looks at the work of Ombuds in the Czech Republic, "Ombuds on a Glass Cliff: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Czech Higher Education." The authors are all sociologists at the Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences: Marcela Linková; Zuzana Andreska; and Michaela Fikejzová. 

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Closes Ombuds Office

The flagship campus of the California Polytechnic State University System will close its Office of Student Ombuds Services on October 6, 2025. Patricia Ponce established the program in 2010 and has served the study body of 21,000 students singlehandedly since then. An email from Cal Poly SLO's Chief of Staff explained,

Job Posting: Cornell University

The Ivy League university in Ithaca, New York, is hiring an Assistant Ombuds. The new, full-time position will join the University Ombuds, Bruce Lewenstein, and Assistant Ombuds, Ati Alipour. This is a new position and not a replacement for the role held by Linda Falkson, who is retiring after 17 years in the position. The Assistant Ombuds is an on-campus position that serves faculty, staff, and students (excluding Weill Cornell Medicine).

Ombuds for Cal Poly Pomona Adds Terms of Service

Mark Patterson, the Director of Conflict Resolution Services and University Ombuds at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona has imposed new terms of service on visitors to his website. A disclaimer explains, "By using the services of the Cal Poly Pomona Office of Conflict Resolution Services and Ombuds, you agree to be bound by the Terms of Use." 

Full details on a second, linked page state: 

University of Michigan Appoints Student Ombuds

Mallory Martin-Ferguson has been named the Student Ombudsperson for the U-M Ann Arbor campus. She takes on the job next month and follows Tom Lehker, who has served in the role for over 15 years. The hybrid position is based on the UM campus in Ann Arbor and reports to the Vice President for Student Life. She comes to the Ombuds Office after serving as the director of Graduate Student and Program Consultation Services.

University of Michigan⁠—Ann Arbor Names Second Faculty Ombuds

Mary O'Riordon has been selected the Faculty Ombuds at Michigan for a three-year term. She follows Michèle Hannoosh, who stepped down after seven years of service in the role. O'Riordon joins Stephanie D. Preston, who was also appointed to the role in 2023. They both serve as Ombuds on a part-time basis. In addition to serving 7,700 faculty members in Ann Arbor, they liaise with other Ombuds within the University of Michigan system.

Meet the Second Ombuds for George Mason University

In March 2024, Sarah Ahmed Atif was named the second University Ombudsperson for GMU. She joined Kimberly Davidson, who has held the same title since December 2021. Atif was promoted into the job after two years as the program manager for the Ombuds Office.

NASEM White Paper Highlights Benefits of Ombuds for Postdocs

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine has published an issue paper exploring practices and key considerations related to supporting postdoctoral fellows who experience sexual harassment. Shannon Burton, Ombuds at Michigan State University, is one of the coauthors (and also coeditor of the new IOA book). The work of University Ombuds is featured prominently throughout the paper. 

Transport Canada Names First Ombuds

Nadia Lecuyer has been appointed the inaugural Ombuds for the federal agency that regulates land, sea, and air transportation industries in Canada. The Ombuds program emerged from a set of recommendations following a departmental self assessment for diversity and inclusion in April 2024. 

Job Posting: University of Michigan

Michigan has opened a search for a Student Ombudsperson. The full-time position serves more than 50,000 students following IOA standards. Tom Lehker has served in the role for over 15 years. The hybrid position is based on the UM campus in Ann Arbor and reports to the Vice President for Student Life.

JIOA Writing Club Aims to Foster Ombuds Authors

The Journal of the International Ombuds Association has launched a program to support aspiring Ombuds writers. The Ombuds Conflict to Composition Writing Club will begin in April 2025 and is now accepting applications. The club create a collaborative and supportive virtual environment where participants can develop their writing skills through mentoring and guidance on the publishing process. Applications are due by March 28, 2025.

Gallaudet University Suspends Ombuds Office

Gallaudet University has suspended the work of its Ombuds Office, with a promise to restore the service in the fall of 2026. The move was apparently promoted by a budget crises as the new presidential administration slashed spending on the federally chartered university. (Federal funding makes up nearly two-thirds of Gallaudet operating budget.) Here is the text of an announcement from Gallaudet's President to the campus: