Coastal Carolina University Names Next Faculty Ombuds

Renée Smith has been appointed the Faculty Ombuds for the public university near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She is a Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, and succeeds Steven Madden as the Ombuds for about 600 academic staff. Meanwhile, CCU continues to evaluate the Student and Staff Ombuds position, which has been vacanct since Dan Lawless retired last year.

University of Nevada Las Vegas Opens Internal Search to Reopen Ombuds Office

UNLV has opened an internal search for an Employee Ombuds. According to the announcement, "This position is critical to UNLV's ongoing efforts to promote an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive campus environment where faculty and staff of all backgrounds can work together effectively." Previously, the campus had a panel of faculty and staff volunteers, but the Ombuds program ended by 2019. Last month, UNLV's new president promised to restore the Ombuds role.  (UNLV News.)

Lourdes University Names Next Ombuds

Ruthi Mitchell has been selected as the next Campus Ombuds Officer for the private Franciscan university in Sylvania, Ohio. The position serves about 200 faculty and staff. She follows Angie Gorny, who established the position in 2017. Mitchell also currently serves as the Director of Alumni Relations at Lourdes.

IOA Postpones Board Election to Conduct Independent Review of Diversity and Equity Concerns

The International Ombudsman Association's Task Force on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging has raised concerns about the process for selecting board members. The implicit question is: Why is there not more diversity among IOA's Board of Directors? In response, IOA will postpone its election and annual meeting (which has traditionally occurred during the annual conference) to allow for an independent review of the past six years of board elections. 

University of Arizona Shuts Down Ombuds Program

The impact of Covid-19 has lead the University of Arizona to defund several diversity-related programs including the Office of the Ombuds. According to the office's Twitter feed, today is the last day of operations. The program was established in 2003 and relied on faculty and staff volunteers to provide services to the large campus in and around Tucson. Caitlan Hendrickson has been the Director of the UA Office of the Ombuds since 2015. (Daily Wildcat; Twitter @UAOmbuds.)

University of West Florida Names Two Student Ombuds

The public university in Pensacola has revived its Student Ombuds Office, with the appointment of two interim Ombuds: Robin Jones and Randolph Scott. All public universities in Florida are required to have an Ombuds. At UWF, the dean of students office has also provided Ombuds services. The two interim Ombuds also have other roles on campus.

University of Iowa Seeks Next Faculty Ombuds

Iowa is looking for a faculty member to join its Office of the Ombudsperson for a four-year, part-time appointment. Reporting to University Ombudsperson, Cynthia Joyce, the position is being vacated by Rachel Williams, who will end her term as Faculty Ombudsperson at the end of the academic year. The internal search is open to associate or full professors or emeritus faculty members.

Caffera Resumes Duties at University of Mississippi

In an email last week, Ole Miss Chancellor, Glenn F. Boyce announced that the University Ombuds, Paul Caffera, will return to work. However, the message notably omitted any mention of the Ombuds' confidentiality, which continues to be a legal issue in the university's motion to dismiss Caffera's lawsuit in state chancery court. The undated email, which was provided by a university insider, says:

University of Hawai'i School of Medicine Opens Ombuds Office

Chang Kim has been named the first Ombudsman for the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu. Kim moves into the new position after two years as Contracts Officer for the UH Medical School. He will serve as a resource for all faculty and staff following IOA standards. Meanwhile, efforts to reestablish an Ombuds program for the rest of the campus have foundered since the UH Ombuds Office closed in 2009 after being open just three years. There are no other Organizational Ombuds programs in the state. 

National Institutes of Health Adds Experienced Ombuds

J. Fernando Caetano has been hired as an Associate Ombudsman with the Center for Cooperative Resolution and NIH Ombudsman. Caetano began his Ombuds career at George Mason University in 2015 and then became the first Ombuds for the U.S. Geological Survey in 2017. He joins a team that includes Director, Victor Voloshin; Senior Associate Ombudsman, Linda M. Brothers; Lead Associate Ombudsman, Jason Byron, CO-OP; Associate Ombudsman, Judith Gail; Operations Coordinator, Samone Johnson; Associate Ombudsman, Stephen Kotev; and Associate Ombudsman, Jenn Mahony.

Job Posting: Brandeis University

The private university near Boston hiring an Associate Ombuds Officer. The part-time (up to four hours per week) contract is for one-semester initially and may be extended. The work would start in late August. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and five to eight years of experience. An advanced degree in a related field and experience in higher education are preferred. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. No salary indicated. (HigherEdJobs.)

University of Cincinnati Adds an Associate Ombuds

Michael Brochu has joined the UC Ombuds Office. As the Associate Ombuds, he reports to the University Ombuds Kim Fulbright, and follows Alicia Booker. Brochu has over 14 years of experience in higher education and conflict resolution. Most recently, he was an educational consultant in the United Arab Emirates.

Former Military Ombuds Moves to Lakehead University

Canada's former military Ombuds Gary Walbourne has been hired by the public university in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He follows Interim Ombudsperson, Kim Morgan, who kept the lights on after Rob Thompson moved to Camosun College last March. In October 2018, Walbourne retired from his post as DND/CAF Ombudsman after a conflict with the Defense Minister. (Lakehead Ombuds; Walbourne Retirement Message.)

San Francisco State University Names Next Ombuds and Expands Mandate

Martha Paul has been appointed the University Ombuds for San Francisco State. She succeeds Christina Sabee, who created an program for SFSU's employees. As University Ombuds, Paul will serve "all members of the SF State community." Paul has held a variety of HR positions at the university, most recently as Leave Program Manager. (SFSU Ombuds.)

Job Posting: Central Michigan University

The public research university in Mount Pleasant is hiring its next Ombudsperson. The position serves about 27,000 students following IOA standards.  Erica Lynn Peters has held the position since 2016. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of professional experience in student or academic affairs. A graduate degree is preferred. The position pays $45,000-$60,000 and applications are due March 14, 2021. (CMU Posting.)