University of British Columbia Ombuds Reports Continued Growth in Cases

In her 2012 annual report, UBC Ombudsperson for Students Shirley R. Nakata and Ombuds Officer Joy Coben said that their office assisted 317 students in 2012, a 27% increase from the prior year. Nakata opened the UBC Ombuds office in 2009 and has seen steady growth in caseload every year. Despite the robust data, her annual report emphasizes the Ombuds "role in connecting individuals to the right people and places: to air individual concerns and to create the tables to have conversations across portfolios and constituencies to advance fairness systemically."

Job Posting: Northcentral University

The private, for-profit university based in Prescott Valley, Arizona is hiring a Student and Faculty Ombudsperson. The faculty-level position reports to the provost's office and serves as a neutral or impartial dispute resolution practitioner whose major function is to provide confidential and informal assistance to students and faculty.

Job Posting: Eastern Michigan University

The public university in Ypsilanti has opened a search for an Ombudsman. The position works with a student population of about 23,500. The search will fill a position vacated by the retirement of Gregory Peoples. Perry Francis, a Professor of Counseling and Coordinator for Counseling Services, has been serving EMU's Interim Ombudsman.

Forum of Canadian Ombudsman Elects Officers for 2013-2015

At the Annual General Meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia on June 11, 2013, FCO elected a Board of Directors and Officers to two-year terms. The FCO Board is comprised of:

Externship: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

FINRA's Office of the Ombudsman is offering an opportunity for a graduate student to extern in its Rockville, MD office. The extern must be earning course credit and be able to work at least 15 hours a week during the Fall 2013 semester.

New Bullying Policy at Oregon State Endorses Ombuds

Oregon State University has adopted a policy prohibiting bullying of or by faculty, staff and students.  OSU President Edward J. Ray explained that, "bullying is defined as conduct that can cause substantial emotional distress and ... is contrary to the culture and climate that we desire for our community."  The President's announcement said that the University Ombuds Office can provide general information and education about bullying.

GSU Ombuds Seeks Submissions for Annual Conflict Resolution Forum

Georgia State University Office of the Ombudsperson is seeking submissions for the Third Annual CR Symposium, "Getting to Peace: Using Art as a Tool for Conflict Resolution," on Thursday, October 17, 2013. This one-day symposium will provide an opportunity for students and conflict resolution practitioners to network and showcase their current projects, as well as bring attention to their work nationally. In addition to workshop presentations, the Symposium will also feature an exhibition of art (including media and performance art) that speak specifically to conflict resolution.

Job Posting: Detroit Public Schools

The school district that enrolls all of the city of Detroit in Michigan is hiring an Ombudsman. Serving as a "Special Assistant to the Superintendent of Academics" the position works to resolve parental concerns, maintaining confidentiality whenever possible. Applicants must have at least five years of work experience in conflict resolution and mediation, preferably in a non-profit or governmental agency. The full-time position pays $49,500-$54,000. (DPS Jobs.)

Next Episode of IOA Radio to Feature Distinguished Emeritus Ombuds

The next episode of the International Ombudsman Association’s teleconference-based “talk show,” will feature Wilbur Hicks, Distinguished Emeritus member of IOA. The title of this episode is "Because Starting One Ombuds Office Wasn’t Enough." The show will take place on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 12:00pm Eastern and will be recorded for future access. (IOA News.)

Fanshawe College Appoints Ombuds

Earlier this month, the College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario named Rose Valle as its acting Ombuds, filling the position vacated by Greg Hessian. Valle graduated from Western University in London, Ontario and earned a master's in Conflict Resolution and Management from Royal Roads University.

USOA Posts Agenda for 2013 Annual Conference

The United States Ombudsman Association has announced details of its 34th Annual Conference.  The event takes place October 30 through November 1, 2013 at the Indiana Government Conference Center in Indianapolis and will feature a keynote address by Nick Diehl, Deputy Ombudsman at the American Red Cross.

Virginia Commonwealth University Appoints Ombuds

VCU has appointed William E. King to be its new Ombudsperson starting August 1. “I am excited that William King has decided to join us as our new ombudsperson,” said Beverly Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at VCU. “His background and experience in mediation and dispute resolution in an academic environment will be an invaluable resource here at VCU and ensure that our university remains one of collegiality, openness and inclusion.”

Is Rockland Community College Considering an Ombuds Program

The two-year college in the State University of New York located in the Hudson Valley has not had an Ombuds office. However, the College is hiring a Director of Student Involvement, which has the following responsibility: "Develops and maintains a College ombudsman program." No other details are available.  (Monster.)

AllianceBernstein Ombuds Posts Annual Report to Employees

In her 2012 report, Ombudsman Sana A. Manjeshwar says that 161 individuals contacted her for guidance, comprising 4.8% of the employee population. She attributes this higher-than-usual volume to increased awareness activity in 2011, the year she was appointed. Manjeshwar also said that approximately 1,500 employees have used the services of the AB Ombudsman Office in its first eight years.

Ombuds Serves Staff at University College Cork

The constituent College of the National University of Ireland recently created a webpage for its Independent Staff Ombudsman. The program was established 2011 and serves as a resource for almost 2,800 staff following Organizational Ombuds standards.  Currently, there are two part-time Ombuds.

Forum of Canadian Ombudsman Drafts Statement of Ethical Principles

FCO, the professional association of government, private industry and higher education Ombudsmen in Canada, has drafted a Statement of Ethical Principles. The document culminates a year of work by the FCO Board to develop and promote professional standards of conduct and a code of ethics.

University of South Carolina Faculty Approve Workplace Bullying Policy

At its regular monthly meeting this week, the USC Faculty Senate unanimously approved a resolution endorsing a workplace bullying policy. The new policy was promoted by a study that concluded that workplace bullying is a serious issue that affects faculty members. The bullying policy, which is being forwarded to the administration for action, relies on the University Ombudsman as an integral part of the campus response.

Interview With Ombuds at University of the Andes

Margarita Gómez Ordoñez, who became the Ombudsperson for Universidad de los Andes just six months ago, recently explained the "what, who, and how" of her role.  Gómez Ordoñez explained that her primary task is to respond to queries from all members of the university community--students, faculty and staff--about academic, administrative or disciplinary concerns.

University of Washington Names Ombuds

Chuck Sloane has been appointed the University Ombuds for UW and will start in July.  University of Washington President Michael K. Young said, “Chuck Sloane has the skill and passion for helping individuals solve problems and resolve disputes within large organizations.” He will succeed Susan Neff, who retired after working in the UW Ombudsman Office since 1994.

University of Warsaw Ombuds Works With Students and Staff

For the past year and a half, Anna Cybulko has served as a confidential, independent and neutral resource for 6,000 employees and 66,000 students. The University of Warsaw (Uniwersytet Warszawski) is Poland's largest university and the only to have an Ombudsman Office. In addition to individual inquires, the Ombuds provides conflict management training and may suggest systemic changes to improve university functions and to prevent conflicts.