University of West Georgia Introduces First-Ever Ombuds for Faculty and Staff

Less than six months after a recommendation by an ad hoc faculty committee, the University of West Georgia has unveiled an Ombuds program and named two new Ombuds. Beheruz N. Sethna, president of the 11,000 student public university, introduced Bruce Lyon as the Faculty Ombuds and Patricia Pinkard as the Staff Ombuds. Lyon retired from UWG after 24 years as a faculty member in the Mass Communications Department, during which he twice served as Acting President. Since retirement, he has acquired considerable mediation experience in the Carroll County magistrate court. Pinkard also has had a lengthy tenure at the university, primarily in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is already an IOA member and was instrumental in advising the university. (UWG Daily Report; Recommendations to Improve Conflict Management Systems at UWG.)

Pennsylvania University Struggling to Hire EEEO/Ombuds

California University of Pennsylvania has been seeking to hire a "Special Assistant to the President for EEEO/University Ombudsperson" since May. After an insufficient pool of initial applications, the position has been reposted. Despite being advised that the position does not comply with IOA best practices, a CUP said there were no plans to change the conflicting responsibilities. (HigherEdJobs.)

Update: Iowa State Loses First Permanent Ombuds, Quickly Hires Replacement

In May 2008, Iowa State University has announced the appointment of Sharon Drake as its first permanent Ombuds after a two-year test of an Ombuds program. Earlier this summer, Drake withdrew for "personal reasons." Iowa State has turned to Elaine Newell, who will start on September 12. Newell is a civil rights attorney who has worked for the State of Iowa Board of Regents and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. She also was assistant attorney general for the State of Georgia and a writer and editor for a number of corporations. "Newell's legal training and experience with higher education make her a good fit for this position," said executive assistant to the president Tahira Hira. "In her previous positions, she has worked with a wide spectrum of clients. She's a good communicator and listener. I am excited that she will be serving Iowa State in this important position." (Inside Iowa State.)

Prior post: Iowa State Appoints Permanent Ombuds.

Stellenbosch University Names New Ombuds

South Africa's sixth largest university, has appointed Professor Bernard Lategan as its newest University Ombuds. Previously, Lategan had served as director of the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study at Mostertsdrift. “SU has created a huge opportunity for me and I am very grateful for this. I feel like this is a debt of honour and hope to contribute something towards the good management of this University in this manner,” he said. Lategan takes over the office from from the previous Ombuds, Letitia Snyman. (Stellenbosch University News.)

International Franchise Association Touts Ombuds Program

IFA urges franchises to consider the services of its Ombuds as an alternative to litigation. The International Franchise Association's Ombudsman Program provides franchisors and franchisees with an impartial dispute resolution resource, that is confidential and knowledgeable. The program is a primary component of the association's Self-Regulation program that includes its Code of Ethics and participation in the National Franchise Mediation Program. (IFA SmartBrief.)

San Jose State Fills Ombuds Position

California's San Jose State University has named Demerris Brooks as its new university Ombuds. Previously, Brooks was an administrative and project specialist for the Division of Student Affairs. She also worked for 13 years as a secondary school educator in the Bay Area. Brooks holds a bachelor's in English from the University of California, Berkeley, a master's in education from Stanford University, and a master's in education administration from Santa Clara University. (SJSU News.)

Related posts: Calif. Appellate Court Relies on Testimony of University Ombuds in Denying Student's Grade Challenge; Job Posting.

USF Ombuds to Dispense Student Relief Funds

Prompted by increasing numbers of students facing financial hardship, the University of South Florida has created a short term emergency fund program for students. The plan called Don't Stop, Don't Drop offers meal cards, gift cards or extra cash. University Ombuds Les Miller is the first step in the process and says students who need help must ask for it. "It's never too late to ask for help. I tell students all the time if you don't ask you never know. If you don't try you fail. The thing is to ask somebody." (TampaBays10; USF DSDD.)

Related posts: Profile of New Ombuds at USF; Texas Tech Ombuds to Help Administer Student Relief Funds.

Auburn Names First Ombuds

Four years after its faculty began agitating for an Ombuds program, Auburn University has appointed Jim Wohl, Professor of Emergency and Critical Care in the College of Veterinary Medicine, as its first Ombudsperson. Wohl served as the interim Ombuds for Louisiana State University in 2007, and has completed training with the Cornell University Institute of Conflict Resolution, IOA, and the Consortium on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution of the University System of Georgia. Wohl earned his BA from SUNY Albany, a DVM from Purdue University, and a Master’s in public administration from Auburn. “We are pleased to have someone with Jim’s background available to our employees,” Auburn President Jay Gogue said. Wohl will serve a two-year trial term starting September 2 and will continue to teach in his specialty area of veterinary emergency and critical care medicine. (Wire Eagle; Faculty Profile.)

Prior posts: Peek at the Long Playing Effort to Create an Ombuds Office at Auburn University; Auburn to Implement Ombuds Program; Auburn Looking for First Ombuds.

Job Posting: Office of Thrift Supervision

The OTS Ombuds Office is hiring an Assistant Ombuds to assist OTS managers and staff on a wide variety of customer service issues affecting the thrift industry, as well as implement programs and policies for responding to inquiries or problems involving OTS regulatory activities. The position may be filled in one of the following OTS offices: Dallas, New Jersey, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. Extensive travel is part of the job. Applicants must have experience in financial services. The position pays $61,563-131,175 per year. Applications are due September 12, 2008. (Federal Government Jobs.)

Related posts: Office of Thrift Supervision Appoints Ombuds; Mortgage Crisis Draws in Ombuds; OTS Ombuds Hiring Scores of Special Assistants.

Study Finds Organizations Failing to Create Trust Internally

A recent study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity finds that most organizations recognize that trust is an important consideration in their company’s success, but many employees don’t feel it is being nurtured internally. The research finds that lower performing companies do less to nurture trust and that credibility of senior management has been falling. Despite the issues, the study found few formal programs to restore trust. A full 87% of respondents say their organizations do not offer training programs, 69% don’t utilize an Ombuds program, and more than 60% report that employee surveys or audits on trust issues aren’t in place, or are in place to only a small extent. (i4cp Press Release.)

Wait... If 69% of organizations don't have an Ombuds program, 31% do have one. This is very surprising number and I question its accuracy.

FCO Invites Submissions for Canadian Ombuds Research Award

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman is seeking proposals for a paper that will clearly articulate the current Ombuds role in the Canadian context. The expectation is that this foundational paper will assist the public and potential users of Ombuds services to better understand how this role contributes to fairness. The main deliverable will be a concise report of 5,000 words written in clear, plain language (French or English) with an intended audience of Ombuds practitioners in Canada, the public and the media. FCO will award $10,000 including taxes and expenses for this research project. The deadline for submission of proposals is no later than noon September 15 2008. (FCO Hoffman Award.)

The award honors Liz Hoffman, who had a long career as an Ombuds. She became an Ombuds at Carleton University in the 1970's and subsequently served as the Ombuds at the University of Toronto, Ryerson Polytechnic, and the Ontario College of Art. She was a founding member of FCO and served on its board for many years. In 1999, she joined the National Defence/Canadian Forces Ombudsman’s Office where she worked until her death from melanoma at age 54 in January 2006.

Asilomar Conference Reminder

There is still time to register for the upcoming California Caucus of College and University Ombuds 2008 conference at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, California, November 16-19, 2008. The conference is restorative, low-key, and enlightening in an intimate setting at a historic locale on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula. Early bird rates will remain in effect until September 5.

Prior posts: Journal of the CCCUO Calls for Papers; New Website for California Caucus; Details of 35th Annual Cal Caucus.

DC Schools Ombuds Criticized for Slow Reporting, Praised for Hard Work

Education activists in the District of Columbia have been complaining that schools ombudsman Tonya Kinlow has failed to file timely reports on the activities of her office. According to the Washington Post, Kinlow did not post reports for March, April and May reports until after an activist complained to the council. Kinlow said she's trying to develop a better process to ensure that reports will be delivered monthly starting in the fall. "We want to make sure the information is accurate. I'm willing to hold it and make sure it's right, as opposed to rushing it and having to explain later," Kinlow said. (Washington Post.)

Meanwhile, the Congressional Record has published remarks by Rep. Charles Rangel from earlier this year commending Kinlow's work to improve the D.C. schools:

That office provides a venue for parents, teachers, and students to voice their frustrations and dissatisfaction with the low-performing school system, and to have investigations launched in order to address those complaints. Kinlow has an impressive record--she, of course, once worked for my office--and she demonstrates a fierce commitment to service that should serve her well in her new post.

(Congressional Record.)

Proactive Ombudsing at NIU

Tim Griffin, the Northern Illinois University Ombuds, wrote an article for the campus newspaper giving students tips to avoid problems. (Northern Star Online.) In organizations with high population turnover, this would seem to be an effective way to help an Ombuds program stand out among available resources.

Related posts: Profile of Northern Illinois University Ombuds; NIU Ombuds Reflects on Campus Tragedy.

Olympic Athlete Ombuds in the News

John Ruger, the athlete Ombuds for the United States Olympic Committee, was recently quoted in stories related to proselytizing by the US archery coach, an emergency appeal by swimmer Tara Kirk, and Sheila Taormina's attempt to qualify for the pentathalon. (NY Times; Swimming World Magazine; Law.com.)

Related posts: USOC Ombuds: Anti-Doping System Snares Innocent Athletes; US Olympic Ombuds Helps Athletes in Conflict.