Ombuds Survey Harassment Practices in Canadian Higher Ed

The Association of Canadian College and University Ombudsperson has posted a summary of a peer-reviewed paper that soon will be published by Defensoría de los Derechos Univeristarios de la UNAM with the title “Acoso Escolar : Prevención y Sensibilización” (“Addressing Harassment in the Promotion of Equity and Fairness: A Perspective from Canadian University Ombuds”). 

Ombuds at HELENA in Munich Serve Grad Students

Four Ombudspersons serve the graduate students at HELENA--the Helmholtz Graduate School of Environmental Health. The eight year old program is collaboration of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Technische Universität München and enrolls over 400 international students. The Ombuds, "are designated impartial individuals who mediate in cases of conflict between graduate students and their advisers. All conversations are strictly confidential. The ombudspersons are nominated by the graduate students and are elected for a term of two years."

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Appoints Experienced Ombuds

The multilateral developmental investment bank based in London has named Deniz Ogretir as its next Ombuds, succeeding Asha Singh Williams. For the past four years, Ogretir was the Ombudsman for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific for the International Committee of the Red Cross. In his new role as EBRD Ombuds, he will serve 3,500 employees at three dozen international sites. The appointment is for an initial term of three years and may be renewed for an additional two years.

Comprehensive Pneumology Center in Munich Creates Ombuds Program

The science and medicine training program in Germany has appointed Marion Frankenberger as its first Student Ombudsperson. The very small institute is located on the campus of the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and is a collaborative project of several German research programs. 

Interview with Utah Valley University Ombuds

UVU's Ombudsman and Coordinator of Conflict Resolution, Talatou Abdoulaye, was recently interviewed by the campus newspaper. He sought to reassure students who may be afraid of reaching out to his office because he works at the university and/or don’t think he can help them. He that he shreds all case materials at the end of every semester, to illustrate his confidentiality and informality.

Nord Universitet to Appoint Student Ombuds

On March 8, 2018, the board of the public university in Bodø, Norway approved a plan to name a Student Ombuds (studentombudet). The board chair said that the Ombuds would improve students' understanding of their rights within the university and as a resource for bullying and harassment concerns. The chair also acknowledged that an Ombuds would be an important feedback mechanism for the administration and board. 

Georgia State University Loses an Ombuds

Kelley Alexander, who served as the GSU Ombudsperson for the past nine years, has left the university. During her tenure at Georgia State, she established an annual Conflict Resolution Day symposium and was an active IOA volunteer.  She is continuing to offer organizational consulting and dispute resolution services through her business, InnerLight Solutions. GSU has appointed Birthe Reimers and Chris Vermillion as Interim Co-Directors of the office.  (GSU Ombuds; LinkedIn.)

IOA Selects New Executive Director

The International Ombudsman Association has announced that Marla Schrager will be its new Executive Director. She succeeds Rick Koepke, who has served in the role for the past four years. Board President Ilene Butensky explained the move in an email to IOA members: 

University of Copenhagen is Home to Country's Only Student Ombuds

In March 2017, Bo Gad Køhlert was appointed as the Student Ambassador at UCPH, Denmark's oldest university. In this role, Køhlert serves nearly 40,000 students by providing confidential and impartial legal advice about academic issues and university procedures. The student-elected member of the University’s Board of Directors offered this explanation of Student Ambassador's role:

Rice University Creates Faculty Ombuds Program

The private university in Houston, TX has appointed Anne Schnoebelen as its first Faculty Ombuds. She will serve about 1,000 instructional faculty and practice to IOA standards. Schnoebelen is an emeritus professor of music and has been a member of the Rice faculty since 1974. 

Open Letter from Michigan State University Ombuds: Trust Us During Troubled Times

The MSU community has been roiled by the Larry Nassar scandal and the administration continues to struggle with its response. In response, the campus Ombuds, Robert A. Caldwell and Shannon Lynn Burton, published a letter, reminding the community that they are a trustworthy resource for addressing concerns.

Job Posting: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

FINRA, the non-governmental organization that regulates member brokerage firms and exchange markets, is hiring an Analyst in its Office of the Ombudsman.  Located in Rockville, MD, the position conducts analyses of case information to identify patterns, trends, and problematic issues. This is professional position, developing and refining skills and receives moderate supervision and regular direction from a manager.

FCO/Osgoode Ombuds Certificate Program Returns for Sixth Year

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and Osgoode Professional Development at York University will offer their annual certificate program, Essentials for Ombuds, September 24-28, 2018 in downtown Toronto. 

British Ombudsman Association Annual Conference Marks 25 Years

The professional association for Classical Ombudsmen in the UK, Ireland, and British dependencies looks back on its first quarter century at its next annual meeting. TOA has announced details of the conference set for May 24-25 at the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton Hotel:

Job Posting: Stockton Unified School District

The public school system in Central California with nearly 40,000 students is hiring its first Ombudsman. The full-time position will be a "designated neutral to facilitate the informal resolution of concerns of employees, managers, students and the community; with a focus on assisting in the resolutions of parent concerns." The SUSD Ombuds will report to the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Support Services. 

Job Posting: World Bank Group

The international financial institution is hiring a full-time Program Analyst to work for its Ombudsman, Axel Peuker. The description is similar to a job that was posted earlier this year.  The job is "responsible primarily for coordinating and facilitating collective IJS initiatives and activities, and for providing technical expertise related to workplace conflict resolution systems."

Ontario's Ombudsman Touts Collaboration with University Ombuds

Paul Dubé, the Ombudsman for Canada's most populous province, reports that his office has received more than 500 complaints about universities under his purview. Dubé was appointed to the position in 2016, shortly after the office was granted oversight of public universities, 11 of which had existing Ombuds programs. At the time, there was some concern that the governmental Ombuds would impair or undermine the work of campus Ombuds. It now appears that a collaborative relationship has developed. 

Journal of IOA: Amplifying Trends with Data

The latest article published by the Journal of the International Ombudsman Association explores the use of data to support the Ombuds work of providing upward feedback to their organization.  "Amplifying Trends with Data," was written by Jennifer Schneider, who has been the Student Ombuds at the University of South Florida since 2015.

(Internal) Job Posting: MD Anderson Cancer Center

The leading cancer research and treatment center in Houston has opened an internal search for a part-time Ombudsperson.  The position will join an office that serves all members of the MD Anderson workforce, including faculty, trainees and fellows of the institution. 

Organization of American States Appoints Next Ombuds

The international organization has named Chet Neymour as its next Ombuds, succeeding Sherry Tross, who founded the office in 2015. The OAS Office of the Ombudsperson provides assistance to over 1,000 OAS personnel in 35 different countries. The work is based on the principles of impartiality, confidentiality, independence and informality.