International Ombudsman Association Slowly Embracing Social Media

With its new management company, IOA has ramped up its online presence.  The organization joined Facebook in March 2013 and Twitter in May 2013.  However, the pages were merely placeholders as IOA tried to develop a social media strategy.  

Job Posting: Federal Bureau of Prisons

The subdivision of the U.S. Department of Justice that runs the federal prison system is hiring a Program Officer (Ombudsman). The position will implement and manage an Ombudsman Program for approximately 37,000 BOP employees nationwide. Some travel is required and the position may also be eligible for telework. 

Job Posting: Oberlin College

The private liberal arts college in Ohio is hiring an Ombuds Fellow.  The full-time, one-year position will report to the Interim Director of the Office of the Ombudsperson, Rashé Limki.  The position will provide the range of Ombuds services and help run the Oberlin College Dialogue Center.

CERN Ombuds on Rebuilding Trust

In her latest newsletter article for staff at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, Sudeshna Datta-Cockerill examines the breakdown and restoration of trust.  She observes that trust is built on reliability, integrity, expertise and good will. Of these bases, good will is the most critical for restoring trust. The Ombuds is an important resource for disputants to restore trust.

Mary Rowe, MIT Ombuds, to Retire

After four decades of conflict resolution at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and leadership within the Ombuds profession, Mary Rowe has announced her retirement.  Rowe came to MIT in 1973 as one of two Special Assistants the the President, a role that evolved into that of an Organizational Ombuds.

Journal of IOA Seeks Associate Editors

The incoming Editorial Board of the Journal of the International Ombudsman Associationis seeking up to two additional Associate Editors.  Working with two Co-Editors, members of the Editorial Board collaborate to produce a twice-annual, peer-reviewed journal about the Ombuds profession.

Coalition of Federal Ombuds Eyes Strategic Initiatives

At its May 2014 meeting, CoFO discussed several topics that could take the group into new areas. Agenda items included:

UC Merced Posts Video Introducing Ombuds Office

The newest University of California's newest Ombuds, De Acker, is featured in a new video posted to YouTube.  Acker introduces the UC Merced Office of Ombuds Services and explains how it follow IOA standards. 

Registration Opens for 2014 Summer Meeting of Academic Ombuds

The agenda and registration information for the 12th summer meeting of college and university Ombuds at Marquette University on July 20-21 are now available.  The annual event (formerly known as the 'Midwest Meeting of College and University Ombuds) provides an opportunity for academic Ombuds to network, share stories and strategies, and offer.

Ombuds Training in New Orleans

The International Ombudsman Association returns to the Big Easy with several training sessions for new and experienced Ombuds, July 21-25, 2014. The programs include introductory, intermediate and advanced topics.

Meet University of Oslo’s First Student Ombuds

In February 2013, Marianne Høva Rustberggard became the first Ombudsperson for 27,700 students at the country’s oldest and largest university, Universitetet i Oslo. The Ombuds is confidential and reports administratively to UiO’s Internal Auditing Unit. According to her website, Rustberggard is also the first Student Ombudsperson in Norway.

Job Posting: University of Texas Medical Branch

The medical center in Galveston has opened a search for a Student Ombudsman. The 20%-time position will provide confidential and informal assistance to more than 2,500 UTMB students.

Columbia Law School Students Start Ombuds Program

In response to criticisms surfaced in a survey last spring, the Columbia Law School Student Senate is piloting a Student Ombuds Program.  Zila Acosta and Paul Chander have been appointed serve as the program’s first Ombuds. 

Job Posting: United Nations

The UN has opened a search for a Chief of Service, Office of Ombudsman and Mediation Service. The position will report to the UN Ombudsman and oversees the work of UNOMS, including seven regional branch offices. 

Ombuds to Address American Chamber of Commerce in Japan

Two Ombuds from the Eaton Corporation will speak to the ACCJ at the Tokyo American Club on June 18, 2014. "Organizational Ombuds Programs - Their Role, Value and Impact" will be the topic presented by Ilene Butensky, Vice President of Eaton's Office of Ombuds, and Sophia Qiao, Eaton's Ombuds for Asia and the Pacific.