Canadian Space Agency Appoints First Dedicated Ombuds

Lynne Laramee has been named the first Ombuds for Canada's national space agency, Agence spatiale canadienne, in Longueuil, Quebec. Previously, the Office of Shared Ombuds Services, headed by Judith Brunet, provided Organizational Ombuds services for the agency's 1,000 employees. Laramme moved into the position after serving as the Executive Director of Human Resouces for the agency for three years. Prior to that, she was the Director of Executive Services for Shared Services Canada.

Maine Legislature Considers Bill for Prison Ombuds With IOA Standards

Yesterday, Maine State Senator Jill Duson introduced "An Act to Establish the Corrections Ombudsman" (Maine LD 1962). In most respects, the proposed Ombuds would resemble those in other states' prison programs, which are exclusively Classical Ombuds. However, Duson's bill would require the Ombuds to "act in accordance with the International Ombuds Association's or a successor organization's published code of ethics and standards of practice." 

Emeritus Ombuds With a New Take on Embedded Services

In a recent blog post, Bruce MacAllister, offers a new perspective on the current debate about how Ombuds services are delivered and concerns about the quality of outsourced Ombuds services. (MacAllister brings significant experience to the conversation: he was an Ombuds for universities, a professional association, a nonprofit, and a federal lab; he served on the IOA board and was instrumental in developing legal arguments and ethical standards for Ombuds; and this year was awarded emeritus status.) Reflecting on a session at the IOA annual conference, he argues that "the question is not whether the ombuds is retained via a contract but rather how deeply embedded is the ombuds providing the services." 

Ombuds at University of Victoria Posts 2024 Annual Report

Angus Shaw, the Ombudsperson for UVic, has released his 2024 annual report and recommendations. The focus of the report is not on statistical information, although that is provided, but on systemic trends and feedback. Last year, Shaw said that artificial intelligence highlighted and intensified deficiencies in academic misconduct decision-making at the university. He cited multiple examples of problems that led to unfair outcomes for students.

American InterContinental University Selects First Ombuds

Brooke Wichmann, CO-OP, has been appointed the first Ombuds for AIU, a private for-profit university based in Schaumburg, Illinois. In this new, full-time role, she will establish and manage a program to serve 11,000 students. Wichmann comes to AIU from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she has been the Associate Ombuds since 2021. During that time, she also served as an interim Ombuds for UT Chattanooga. (UTK Ombuds.)

University of Kentucky to Hire Next Academic Ombuds

The public university in Lexington has opened an internal search for its next Academic Ombud. The position may be filled by a tenured or emeriti faculty member who provides services to students with academic issues. UK had one of the first university Ombuds in the United States and 29 faculty have served in the position over the last five decades. Alice Turkington, Professor of Geography, has served several terms as the Academic Ombud since she was selected in 2021. The position reports to UK's provost and practices to IOA standards. (UK Now.)

Journal of IOA: An Ombuds Story About Harassment and Bully from Mary Rowe

In the latest issue of the Journal of the International Ombuds Association, Mary Rowe, shares a tale from her time as the Ombuds at MIT. The full article, "An Unusual Harassment Training that was Warmly Received—and, as well, Inspired Bystanders—an Organizational Ombuds," is now available online. 

IOA Issues Guidance for Collateral Duty Ombuds

The International Ombuds Association has released a short white paper, "Guidance for Dual Role Ombuds." The document offers advice for Ombuds who hold additional roles within their organization and are seeking to conform to IOA standards. The guidance covers a range of issues, including: Budget and Compensation; Conflicts of Interest Including Mandatory Reporting; Confidentiality; Independence; Building Trust; and Constituency Size. Acknowledging the importance of disclosing the limitations of a collateral duty Ombuds, the guidance also includes a sample opening statement. (IOA Resources.) 

University of Toronto Scarborough Names Ombuds

Miranda Edwards was appointed the next Ombuds Officer for the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus in January 2025. She follows Emma Thacker, who moved to University of Toronto St. George Campus. Edwards (and all other UT Campus Ombuds) holds two roles and a dual reporting structure. As the Assistant Secretary, she provides administrative support, advice, and information to the Governing Council on policies, precedents, and procedures for assigned boards and committees. As the Ombuds, she reports to the University Ombudsperson, Bruce Kidd.

Job Posting: Center for Nonviolent Communication

The international nonprofit is hiring a Dispute Transformation Officer to join its Dispute Transformation Team. The fully-remote, part-time (30-40 hrs/mo) position "will function similar to an Organizational Ombudsperson who helps ... to ensure that people who are representing CNVC are honoring the agreements that they have made in relation to their roles." Curiously, the job description also says, "the DTO will investigate these concerns and address them with formal or information interventions such as requests, recommendations, mediation, arbitration, or referrals to governing bodies or other outside experts." 

Meet the Assistant Ombuds at the University of Ottawa

In October 2023, Chanelle Bouassali was appointed the Assistant Ombuds at the bilingual public university in Ontario for an initial, two-year term. Reporting to Martine Conway, Bouassali provides services to 50,000 students, faculty, and staff.

UCLA Selects a Campus Ombuds

Nearly three years after being tapped as the interim Campus Ombuds, Thomas Griffin has been selected for the permanent role. As the Campus Ombudsperson and Director of Ombuds Services, Griffin will lead that office that serves over 90,000 faculty, staff, and students at the research university in Los Angeles. Other members of the office currently include Brenda Woods-Patin, Natalie Gibson, and Ariella Morrison. Griffin reports as part of the Chancellor's office and practices to IOA standards.

Guide for Leading a Divided Campus Urges Role for Ombuds

"Leading a Divided Campus: Ideas and Illustrations" offers guidance for campus leaders seeking to to deepen their support of students and to reinforce norms of humane behaviors in the midst of vigorous disagreements. The fourth edition of the guide from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (with support from AAA-ICDR Foundation) was just released. The recommendations now include an active role for campus Ombuds, drawing on work by the Ombuds at Kenyon, Carrie Knell, and Brandeis, Don Greenstein. 

University of Toronto Hosts Ontario Area Ombuds

Ombuds from universities around Ontario gathered at uToronto on April 23 and 24, 2025. The roundtable event offered university Ombuds the chance to share insights, explore emerging issues, and strengthen collegial networks. In addition to local faculty and administrators, remarks were offered by Bruce Kidd and Emma Thacker. 

Lamar University Adopts Ombuds Charter

The public university in Beaumont, Texas, has adopted an administrative policy that is the functional equivalent of an Ombuds Charter. The new policy, which is endoresed by the president and provost, states that the Faculty and Staff Ombuds will practice to IOA standards. The policy also outlines the internal selection process. Jim Mann was named the first Faculty Ombuds in February 2022, but it does not appear that he is still serving in the role. (Lamar MAPP.)