Striking Faculty at General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church Seek an Ombuds

For the past month, eight out of ten full-time faculty members at the Episcopal seminary in New York City have refused to teach, alleging pattern of harassment and bullying behavior by the school's dean, Kurt Dunkle. The GTS trustees subsequently deemed the striking faculty ("The GTS 8") to have resigned on September 29. Negotiations between the two sides reached an impasse last week when the faculty group called for the appointment of an Organizational Ombuds.

U.S. Olympic Committee Appoints Next Ombuds

The USOC has announced that Kathleen (Kacie) Wallace will be its new Athlete Ombudsman.  She succeeds John Ruger, who established the program in 1999, and joins Sara Clark, Athlete Ombudsman Specialist, who was hired earlier this year.  Sarah  Konrad, chair of the Athletes' Advisory Council said, "Kacie is a world-class attorney and mediator, and committed to doing right by the athletes. We couldn't have found a better fit."

Job Posting; United Nations, Chile

The United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services has opened a search for a Regional Ombudsman in Santiago, Chile.  The position will head the regional branch, reporting directly to the Chief of Office of UNOMS and provide services to UN staff in the region and others as assigned.

Job Posting: East Carolina University

The public university in Greenville, North Carolina is hiring a Director of Conflict Resolution and Mediation Programs.  Reporting to an Associate Provost, the position will provide leadership and oversight of the informal resolution strategies, programs, and resources for faculty and staff, including student workers.

Job Posting: Prince George's County Public Schools

The large school district in Maryland has reopened the search for an Ombudsman.  The job description, qualifications, and pay range have been revised significantly from the prior search in May.  

Webinar to Feature Ombuds from University of Denver and University of Connecticut

The alternative dispute resolution portal will host a webinar on the evening of October 23 on, "Peer Case Consultation: an Approach to Professional Development."  The  presenters will be Jenna Brown, the Ombuds at the University of Denver, and Jim Wohl is the Ombuds at the University of Connecticut.  

Meet Columbia's Ombuds

Seven months ago, the private research university in New York City appointed Joan C. Waters as University Ombuds, only the second person to hold the position.  She told the Columbia Spectator that Waters said that she’s already seen 175 visitors, one-third of which have visited the office more than three times.

Job Posting: Medical College of Wisconsin

The private medical and graduate school in Milwaukee is hiring its next Ombuds. The 20%-time position reports to the president and will serve as a resource for faculty, staff and 1,300 students. Applicants must have a terminal degree and seven years of related professional experience (experience in conflict resolution and mediation preferred), and must complete IOA’s Ombuds Foundations course within the first year.  

UC Davis Expands Ombuds Office

 The University of California in Davis has hired Rita Callahan to serve as an Associate Ombudsperson.  She joins Director Susan Kee-Young Park, who opened the Ombuds Office and has been serving the campus single-handedly since April 2013.  Callahan started on October 15.

Volunteer Opportunity: Mediators Beyond Borders International

The international non-profit is seeking applicants to open an Office of the Ombudsperson.  At least two part-time, volunteer Ombuds will work with MBB staff and volunteers worldwide. The organization has already created a Charter and the program will follow IOA Standards of Practice.

Ombuds Certification Board Sets New Informational Conference Call

The Board of Certification for Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioners has reset its teleconference information session to Thursday, October 16 from 11 am - 12:00 pm Pacific (2:00 - 3:00 pm Eastern) after a problem arose during the October 9 call. In addition, the deadline to register for the November qualifying exam has been extended to October 22, 2014.

UC Berkeley Staff Ombuds Releases 2014 Biennial Report

Sara Thacker, Director of the Staff Ombuds Office at Berkeley, said that
respect and civility continued to top the list of concerns for the 535 staff visitors to her office in 2012-14.  Moreover, cases from employee with concerns about job/role clarity and work styles increased significantly.  

IOA Seeks Nominations for 2015 Board of Directors

The International Ombudsman Association is inviting member nominations for its governing board.  For the IOA Board term starting in April 2015, there will be six Director positions open. Both Associate Member Representative positions are currently filled and neither term will expire this year.

Job Posting: Pfizer, China

The global pharmaceutical company is hiring a Regional Ombudsman Director for its Asia operations.  The position reports to the company's Chief Ombudsman, Tim Shore; and is based in Beijing.

Dartmouth to Reopen Ombuds Office After Retirement

The Ombuds office at the private Ivy League college in New Hampshire has been closed since June, when the first Ombudsperson, Mary Childers retired. Childers opened the office in 2007 and began initially in a part-time capacity. According to an article in the campus newsletter, the College is forming a committee to conduct a six- to nine-month search. 

Updated Sexual Misconduct Policies at UC Irvine Assert Ombuds' Confidentiality

The Orange County campus of the University of California has revised its policies and procedures for reporting and responding to sex offenses.  The new policies make it clear that the UCI Office of the Ombudsman is a confidential resource.

Cal Caucus Invites Nominations for 2014 Awards

The California Caucus of College and University Ombuds is soliciting nominations for awards to be given during its meeting at Asilomar in Pacific Grove on November 16–19. Each year, CCCUO publicly acknowledges individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding and noteworthy contributions to the Ombuds field, within Cal Caucus and the profession at large.

Iowa State University Ombuds Reports That Cases Have Doubled

ISU Ombuds Officer Elaine Newell told a university committee that, "Business is booming."  According to an article in the campus newspaper, Newell said about 600 new clients have visited her office since 2008.  Moreover, over the last quarter she has seen business double. 

North Dakota State University Establishes Ombuds Office

The North Dakota's largest university has appointed Kristine Paranica to serve as its first Ombudsperson.  Paranica will work with NDSU faculty and others working in academic affairs including graduate research assistants.  She is working out of a temporary  location while an Ombuds office is being built in the campus library.

Ombuds Certification Exam Set for November 2014

The Board of Certification for Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioners will administer its next qualifying exam November 10-20, 2014. Passing the exam is a necessary step in obtaining certification as a Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioner® (CO-OP®). The registration window for candidates wishing to take the exam is now open and an early bird rate is available until October 15.