Colorado's Chief Justice Says Reforms to Include Ombuds

In an address to the state legislature, Chief Justice Brian Boatright of the Colorado Supreme Court outlined three priorities to reform the state's judicial discipline system. (Calls for changes in the judicial branch have been prompted by conflict between the Colorado Commission on Judicial Disclosure and the Colorado Supreme Court arising out of widespread allegations of judicial misconduct.) An Organizational Ombuds program was the first goal he identified.

Boise State University Adds a Faculty Ombuds

Michelle Mahoney has been appointed to the Faculty Ombuds Office at the public university in Idaho. She joins Manda Hicks and Phil Kelly and will provide informal problem solving and conflict management for all faculty members within the Boise State community.

Journal of IOA Article Examines Impact of Ombuds on PhD Student Success

The Journal of the International Ombuds Association has published original research by Paul Herfs, the former Ombuds for Staff and Faculty at Utrecht University. He draws on his experience to answer the question posed by the title of his article: "Can Ombudspersons Prevent PhD Students From Dropping Out?"

State Bar of California Appoints First External Ombuds

Enrique Zuniga has been named the Cal Bar's first Public Trust Liaison. The new Ombuds-like position will will serve as the primary point of contact for external stakeholders with feedback or suggestions, which includes developing public education programs and tools to assist the public with complaints. Communications with the Public Trust Liaison will be generally confidential. Zuniga also will be responsible for making annual reports with recommendations for systemic improvements in the state's attorney discipline system.

Job Posting: University of Denver

The private university in Colorado is seeking an Ombuds to restore a program shuttered since the retirement of its founding Ombuds, Jenna Brown, in 2020. The part-time position will serve over 16,000 faculty, staff, and students and report to the Senior Vice Chancellor and chief of staff in the Chancellor’s Office. The revived DU Ombuds office will practice to IOA standards.

South Africa Considering National Student Ombuds Program

South Africa's Department of Higher Education is investigating an Ombuds program for the national university system. A spokesperson said that the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, would be provided with “informed advice about the need for, the viability, terms of reference, and administrative requirements of such an office.” The announcement comes in response to a recent statement by the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet calling for a centralized university student Ombuds. A Department

Job Posting: Federal Deposit Insurance Corp

The federal agency that insures American depositors, is hiring Internal Ombudsman Specialist. Based in Washington, DC, the full-time position "provides support in the areas of employee engagement, organizational improvement, change management, and other programs informing or benefitting the FDIC workforce." (The FDIC also has a separate external Ombuds program.) Some travel is required and telework may be allowed. Robert D. Harris is the current Internal Ombudsman for the FDIC.

IOA Posts Agenda and Opens Registration for 2023 Conference

Organizational Ombuds will gather in Seattle for the International Ombuds Association 18th Annual Conference on April 3-5, 2023. This the first in-person conference since 2019. IOA cancelled the event in 2020 shortly after the outbreak of COVID and held virtual conferences in 2021 and 2022. The theme considers the role of Ombuds and also hints at the changes in Ombuds practice: "Ombuds as Change Agent? ReEngaging and Transforming Conflict." Registration is now open and now the detailed agenda is available.

Job Posting: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

The public university in southeastern Tennessee has opened a search for its next Ombudsperson (posted as "Ombudperson"). The position was established by Joanie Sompayrac four years ago as a resource for faculty and administrators. According to the posting, the full-time position has been expanded to serve all faculty and staff. The Ombuds will report to the Chancellor of the University through the Chief of Staff and will practice to IOA standards.

Job Posting: United Nations, Israel

The United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services is seeking a Conflict Resolution Officer to be based in Jerusalem. The position will serve the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and report to the UN Regional Ombudsman Joanna Paul, who was appointed a few months ago.

IOA Seeks Nominations for 2023 Distinguished Emeriti Members

The International Ombuds Association is asking its members to submit names for its annual Distinguished Emeritus Award. The IOA Nominating Committee recognizes a small number of retired Ombuds for their outstanding and dedicated service to the association and to the Ombuds profession more broadly.

Cambridge Innovation Center Debuts Ombuds Program

The American real estate services company which bills itself as a "community of entrepreneurs," has created an Ombuds program. CIC was founded by Tim Rowe, the son of Mary Rowe, MIT's first Ombuds. MWI, the dispute resolution service and training firm in Boston, was selected to create the program, which will serve employees working across the U.S. and in Rotterdam, Tokyo, and Warsaw. 

Job Re-Posting: Bowdoin College

The private liberal arts college in Brunswick, Maine has reopened its search for an inaugural Ombuds. Aside from the salary range, the job description has not changed significantly and there is no indication why the initial search failed. The part-time, year-round position will serve as a resource for its 1,100 faculty and staff. The Ombuds will report to Bowdoin's President and practice to IOA standards.

Emory University's Ombuds Post 2021-22 Report

Lynell Cadray, Emory's University Ombudsperson, and T. Brian Green, the Associate Ombudsperson, report that they had 409 visits with 303 individual visitors—a 5.9% increase in visits compared to the previous academic year. Their annual report also says that the office has had nearly 1,200 sessions with almost 900 individual visitors since opening in January 2020. Data is summarized using the IOA Uniform Reporting Categories. In addition to data about visitors and cases, the Emory Ombuds also report on outcomes. (Emory Ombuds Winter Newsletter.)

Chuck Howard to Address Houston Bar

The professional association for lawyers in the Houston area will host Charles Howard for a one-hour virtual presentation on January 23, 2023. Howard, who is the past Executive Director of IOA and author of A Practical Guide to Organizational Ombuds, will speak on "Comparing Ombuds and Mediation Services." The event is free and appears to be open to the public.