Auburn seeking first ombudsman

By Amy Weaver

Published: May 23, 2008

It’s taken more than two years, but Auburn University is finally searching for its first ombudsperson.

Only applications from tenured full professors or retired faculty members will be considered by the selection committee.

Generally speaking, Dr. Bob Locy, chair of the University Senate, said an ombudsperson “works to resolve conflicts” for university employees and is guided by four main principles of confidentiality, neutrality, informality and independence. All are intended to provide faculty with an objective source to seek out when issues arise on the job. The ombudsperson is not a lawyer, but can offer advice on possible resolutions or serve as a third party intermediary.

Auburn has never had an ombudsperson before, but Locy said a growing number of universities across the country are adding them. In fact, he said the movement on campuses is to have a separate ombudsperson for faculty, staff and students.

“Our initial trial will involve faculty and staff functions combined,” he said. “We expect that if the ombudsperson office works as well as it has at other institutions, the benefits of broadening the functions offered at Auburn will be obvious and clearly demonstrated by this trial.”

Auburn faculty and administration have been working to get to this point for the last few years. Locy said he believes the discussion about developing an ombudsperson position started among the senate leadership in 2005-06 when Dr. Conner Bailey was senate chair and continued through when Dr. Rich Penaskovic was chair. Finally, last year, under Dr. David Cicci’s leadership, a resolution to establish an ombudsperson position on a two-year trial basis passed the senate.

It was then approved by the administration, and the search began.

The search committee will begin reviewing applications June 2 and narrow the pool of candidates to no more than three finalists, who will be available to the AU community in an open forum.

Upon feedback from the university community, the committee will make recommendations to the Executive Committee of the senate, including Heilman, who will ultimately make the final appointment. The ombudsperson will then start in the fall.