UC Davis Ombuds Office Expands to Students

The newest University of California Ombuds Office has now opened its doors to students. The office, which opened last June, previously served only UC Davis faculty and staff. 

Save the Date for 2014 USOA Conference

The United States Ombudsman Association's 35th Annual Conference has been set for Lincoln, Nebraska on October 15-17, 2014. Pre-conference courses will be offered October 13-14. Lin Quenzer, the Ombudsman for the City of Lincoln, is the conference host. (USOA Conf Info.)

Collaboration Opportunity in South Africa

A consultant in Cape Town is seeking an associate with experience in setting up conflict management systems and would like to meet Ombuds at the IOA conference in Denver. Mervyn Malamed is in the process of building a project consulting practice that specializes in the establishment of Integrated Conflict Management Systems in large organizations/ corporations in Southern Africa. 

Job Posting: University of Alberta

The public research university in Edmontonis hiring a Graduate Student Ombudsperson for a four month contract (April 15 – August 15, 2014). Reporting to UA's Director of the Student OmbudService, Natalie Sharpe, the position will work with graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and medical residents.

Sports Conflict Institute TV Explores How an Ombuds Might Help in Sports

Last week, John Zinsser joined SCI TV to discuss ways in which professional and intercollegiate athletic programs manage conflict and how an Ombuds model might work as a viable alternative.  Joshua Gordon, Founder of the Sports Conflict Institute, conducted the interview and also solicited input from SCI Practitioner & Researcher, Ken Pendleton. 

New Ombuds at Florida Atlantic University

In late 2013, the public university in Boca Raton appointed Angie Gifford as its Ombudsperson.  Gifford had served previously as a Victim Advocate at FAU for 13 years.  She has a master's in education.  (FAU Ombuds; LinkedIn; FAU University Press.)

Internship: United Nations, Austria

The Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services is offering a full-time, unpaid internship in its Vienna office.  The six-month internship will start in April 2014.  The intern may have the opportunity to conduct research on topics related to informal (alternative) dispute resolution in the UN, help identify systemic issues, and assist with outreach activities.

Student Union Calls for Ombuds at Dalhousie University

A report from the Dalhousie Student Union recommends that the Nova Scotia university establish an Ombuds office comparable to those at Canada’s other U15 institutions.  The report highlights the practices of other Canadian universities and concludes that Dalhousie's Ombuds program--which was staffed part-time by a student and which closed in 2013--was ineffective and underutilized because it lacked resources, funding, and authority.

Austrian Student Ombudsman Presents First Annual Report

A report by the Austrian Student Ombudsman provides information about how the Ombuds carries out his statutory duties as an appeal body for 390,000 students and how he provides information and other services to the higher education community.

Columbia University Appoints Ombuds

After a year-long search, New York Ivy has appointed Joan C. Waters as the University’s Ombuds Officer.  Columbia's president made the announcement in a email to the campus yesterday.

Job Posting: University of Miami

The private, non-sectarian university in Florida has opened a search for its next University Ombudsperson and Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs.  In addition to coordinating student affairs operations, the position works with students, faculty and staff in resolving grievances and complaints, and provides impartial and confidential guidance to students.

Calculating the Return on Investment in an Ombuds

In latest episode of his "Conflict Specialists Show," Dave Hilton interviews John Zinsser, Principal and Co-Founder of Pacifica Human Communications, LLC based in Charleston, SC.  In the 40 minute piece, Zinsser talks about:

Maryland Judiciary Closes Ombuds Program

After eight years as the Ombudsman for the Maryland Judiciary, Ed Modell learned that the new Maryland Chief Judge decided the program would not continue after restructuring.  Modell was awarded the first contract to create an Ombuds program for judiciary employees in 2006.  In 2010, his role expanded to include serving as the Ombudsman for court users. 

Job Posting: Career Education Corporation

The for-profit, postsecondary education provider is hiring an Ombudsman for its Career Schools division. The full-time position in Schaumburg, IL will serve as, "an impartial advocate whose job it is to find equitable resolutions to student complaints before they are escalated outside of CEC." 

IOA Announces 2014 Writing Competition

The International Ombudsman Association sponsors an annual writing competition designed to invite fresh academic insight on the role of the Organizational Ombuds, foster cross-pollination with other professional and academic communities, and endorse talent in the next generation of Organizational Ombuds.