University of British Columbia Names First Ombuds for Students

The University of British Columbia has appointed Shirley Nakata as its first Ombuds for Students. Nakata received her BA and LL.B from UBC. She became an attorney in 1989, and has worked a litigator for a law firm and as a human rights investigator with the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Most recently, Nakata has been Director of the Professional Conduct Department at the B.C. College of Teachers. Nakata has been a board member of the B.C. Council of Administrative Tribunals, and is a member of the Canadian Association for the Practical Study of Law in Education and the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice. She is a member and has been a board member of the West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund. Nakata will begin her duties in January 2009. (UBC Media Release; Vancouver Sun.)

Caseload Declines Slightly for University of British Columbia Ombuds

In her latest annual report, UBC Ombudsperson Shirley Nakata says that her office worked with 441 students in 2016, a 9.8% decrease from the prior year.  Some of this decline was perhaps due to the closure of the Ombuds office at UBC's Okanagan campus early in the year.  Nakata noted that, "In 2016, the nature of student concerns and questions did not vary significantly from previous years; academic standing, appeals, graduate student supervision and misconduct matters were again common issues brought to the Ombuds Office."

Ombuds at University of British Columbia: Continued Case Growth in 2015-16

UBC Ombudsperson for Students Shirley Nakata says that her office worked with 489 students in 2015-2016, a 4.5% increase from the prior year.  The caseload has increased steadily since she was appointed in 2009. Nakata said, "2015 was an extraordinary year, marking the evolution of a broader discourse about institutional trust and accountability within higher education not just at UBC but at universities and colleges across Canada."

Cases Surge for Ombuds at University of British Columbia

In her latest annual report, UBC's Ombudsperson for Students, Shirley Nakata reports that her office handled 685 cases in 2022, a 17% increase from the prior year and a 52% increase from five years ago. As usual, however, the focus of the annual report is not on data but Nakata's calls to improve equity and inclusive access for students by offering examples and recommendations. 

Register Now for Summer Small Caucus 2024

The California Caucus of College and University Ombuds has opened registration for its third annual summer meeting. The online only event on June 27, 2024, offers an opportunity to preview the topic for the traditional fall caucus in Pacific Grove. 

 Here's the full announcement:

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."

University of British Columbia Ombuds Reports Strong Growth in Cases in 2018

In an annual report that marked a decade of service to the large public university in Vancouver, UBC's Ombudsperson for Students, Shirley Nakata said that her office 546 cases in 2018. The caseload increased 21% from the prior year. Since Nakata was appointed and opened the office, cases have increased nine of ten years.

FCO/Osgoode Ombuds Certificate Program Returns in Fall 2020

The certificate program, "Essentials for Ombuds," by the Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and Osgoode Professional Development continues for its eighth year. Taught by distinguished Ombuds, lawyers, and academics from across Canada, the training is offered twice a year in Toronto. This fall, the in-person course is planned for September 28 through October 2, 2020.

Canadian Journal of Bioethics Highlights Role of Ombuds

The current issue of CJB, a peer-reviewed open-access academic journal published by Université de Montréal, includes several articles relevant to Ombuds. Authors include: Brent Epperson (Ombuds at the University of Luxembourg); Julie Boncompain (Ombudsman at Polytechnique de Montreal and Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute); Heather McGhee Peggs (Patient Ombudsman for Toronto); and Shirley R. Nakata (Ombuds at the University of British Columbia).

University of British Columbia Ombuds Publishes 2011 Annual Report

Shirley Nakata, the UBC Ombudsperson for Students, reported that her office saw a 40% increase in visitors last year. She attributes the increase to a growing awareness about the office and anticipate that the caseload will continue to grow in the coming year. Nakata, who is assisted by Ombuds Officer Joy Coben, also said that about 60% of visitors were undergraduate students and of those, most were third and fourth year students. 

Society for Personality and Social Psychology Creates Ombuds Program for Annual Conference

The largest organization of social psychologists and personality psychologists has contracted with ProActive ReSolutions to provide independent, confidential Ombuds services for its members and conference attendees. Ashley Moore and Shirley Nakata will be available by phone and email during and immediately after the SPSP annual convention set for February 7 - 9, 2019 in Portland, Oregon.

FCO/Osgoode Adds a Spring 2019 Ombuds Certificate Program

Due to popular demand, the Professional Development Program at Osgoode Hall Law School and the Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and Osgoode Professional Development at York University will offer a course next spring, February 25 to March 1, 2019. The Essentials for Ombuds is a five-day intensive training collaboration in the heart of Toronto.

Ombuds at University of British Columbia Publishes First Annual Report

Shirley Nakata, who was appointed UBC Vancouver’s first Ombuds for Students in 2009, has issued an annual report covering the latest calendar year. Nakata provides data about the 53 cases she handled and provides case summaries of several matters.  (UBC Ombuds 2009 Annual Report.)

FCO-ACCUO Posts Agenda and Opens Registration for 2022 Biennial Conference

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons has released details for their biennial conference on October 17-18, 2022 in Ottawa. The conference theme is "Together Again: Strengthening Ombuds Practice through Connectedness and Inclusion" and registration is now open.

University of British Columbia Ombuds Posts Second Annual Report

Shirley R. Nakata, the Ombudsperson for UBC, has published her a report on the activities of her office in 2010, the first full calendar year of operation. Nakata and Ombuds Officer Joy Coben serve a student body of more than 47,000 students and handled 175 cases. In addition to summaries of cases and other office activities, the report also includes the results of an on-line survey completed by 36% of visitors. (UBC Ombuds 2010 Report.)

IOA Posts Agenda, Opens Registration for 2016 Annual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association's eleventh annual meeting will take place April 10-13 at the Westin Seattle.  Here's an overview of this year's agenda:

Job Posting: University of British Columbia Okanagan

UBC is hiring a part-time (80%) Ombuds for its campus in Kelowna. Reporting to both the UBC Ombudsperson, Shirley Nakata, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Okanagan, the position will serve a student body of about 8,500. The search will fill a position established by Maria Mazzotta in 2013. 

University of British Columbia Hires Ombuds

Michelle Quigg has been named the new Ombuds Officer for the large public university in Vancouver. She fills a position being vacated by the retirement of Joy Coben and reports to UBC's Ombudsperson for Students, Shirley Nakata. 

CIDR Posts Agenda for 2026 Symposium

The Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution at Saint Paul University in Ottawa has announced the agenda for its 2026 annual symposium. The hybrid virtual and in-person event, "Navigating Crises: The Evolving Role of ADR Practitioners and Ombuds in Turbulent Times," is set for May 11-12, a beautiful time of year in Ottawa. 

FCO/Osgoode Opens Registration for Fall 2016 Ombuds Certificate Program

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and Osgoode Hall Law School at York University will offer their certificate program, Essentials for Ombuds, September 26-30, 2016 in downtown Toronto.  This is the fourth annual offering of the program.