An investigation by the New York governor's lawyers cleared Christie of wrongdoing in connection with the George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal and also recommended the appointment of an Ombudsman. A report by by lawyers at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher called on Christie to appoint an Ombuds and a Chief Ethics Officer within his office to prevent similar situations in the future.
The DHS Office of the Inspector General is conducting a search for a Whistleblower Ombudsman. Although the duties are ostensibly those of an Organizational Ombuds, the job also: "oversees matters pertaining to the [Office of Integrity and Quality Oversight] Hotline, Whistleblower Protection and Ombudsman programs; investigative cases files; compliance and quality assurance; and audit and inspections report quality."
Irene Sae Koo, the new Ombuds at the Los Angeles World Airport, is coordinating and hosting the Southern California Ombuds Caucus on May 22, 2014. The group meets once to twice year and provides an excellent opportunity for professional networking as well as discussing the challenges and issues facing Ombuds.
Florida's "Public Ivy" has opened a search for an Associate Ombuds in the Faculty Ombuds Office. The part-time position will provide informal, impartial, and confidential assistance for 5,100 UF faculty.
Michigan Technological University has named Susanna Peters, a lecturer in law and society as its new Ombuds Officer. Her appointment takes effect on April 15. Peters earned her MS from the University of California
at Davis and then a JD at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She teaches a variety of legal issues and has been the faculty advisor to MTU's Mock Trial Team. (MTU News, Faculty Bio.)
With the appointment of two new members, the Ombuds Office of the Swiss humanitarian organization has expanded significantly. The new Ombuds also will be posted closer to many of ICRC's 12,500 worldwide employees.
The 12th summer meeting of college and university Ombuds will take place on
July 20th and 21st at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI.
This annual gathering provides an opportunity for academic Ombuds to become better acquainted, share concerns unique to their professional environments, and to support and learn from each other’s experiences.
The Department Of Homeland Security agency is
hiring a Program Specialist for its Office of the Ombudsman in
Arlington, VA. Located in the Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement Office, the position serves as an Ombuds, providing
confidential, neutral, independent and informal assistance to TSA
employees, managers, and stakeholders. Significant travel may be required.
The new website for the WUSTL Faculty Ombuds includes and Office Charter. The document includes a mission and principles of practice that conform to IOA Standards. Notably, the section on confidentiality includes no exceptions that deviate from IOA best practices. Therefore, visitors to the office may safely discuss, "any concerns about the university’s compliance with laws, regulations or policies; or any questionable practices at the university"
Gary Ostrower has been the University Ombuds Officer at the private, Franciscan Catholic university in New York since 1997. He told the student newspaper that his work covers a broad range of issues. “I have seen students, faculty members, staff members and on occasion administrators who will seek out my services,” Ostrower said. “They will do so for varied reasons; from an individual having a conflict with a supervisor to people complaining about the food service.” (The Bona Venture.)
Tyler Smith is a Graduate Intern at the National Institutes of Health’s Office of the Ombudsman, Center for Cooperative Resolution, with aspirations of becoming an Ombuds. Coming from a mediation background, Smith is specifically interested in learning more about how an Ombuds’ academic and professional backgrounds may or may not influence various aspects of their mediation practice.
The 41st Annual Conference
California Caucus of College and University Ombuds
is set for November 16-19, 2014
in Pacific Grove CA.
Planning for 2014 is in full swing and a call for presentation proposals will be issued soon. Meanwhile, registration is already open. The co-convenors for the 2014 Caucus are Susan Neff
and Michael Dues. (2014 at Asilomar.)
The International Ombudsman Association recently held elections for open board position. Results were announced recently.
An article in the most recent issue of Global Policy Journal surveys the informal dispute resolution systems within financial NGO's and highlights the growing role of Ombuds offices and the importance of IOA. Here's the abstract:
Joan E. Foley, has served as the U of T Ombudsperson since 2007, but her career with the university began in 1963 as a lecturer in psychology. She explains that the attractive thing about being the Ombuds is the great diversity of matters and the clientele – who can be students or faculty or staff.
