The CU and UCCS Ombuds Programs will join the American Bar Association in celebrating the inaugural Ombuds Day, Oct. 11, 2018.
The American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section has declared the second Thursday of October as Ombuds Day. Please join your campus ombuds in honoring the ombuds profession and developing a shared understanding of the value and services an ombuds provides.
Ombuds Day occurs during Conflict Resolution Month and a week before ABA’s Mediation Week. At UCCS, Kathy Griffith serves as the director of the Ombuds Office to provide students and employees informal assistance in resolving disputes or confusion in a neutral environment.
Ombuds Day is inclusive of all types of ombuds, ombudsmen and ombudspersons. Ombuds work in and with all types of institutions, including governments, colleges and universities, corporations, nonprofits, hospitals and news organizations. There are many variations or types of ombuds practices, but many share the characteristics of impartiality, independence, confidentiality and informality.
The ABA Dispute Resolution Section Ombuds Committee encourages the use of ombuds programs in all conflict management systems. Ombuds programs provide a safe place to raise issues early and without fear of retaliation. This in turn enhances governance, ethics, and risk-management strategies, contributing to the overall well-being and functionality of public and private organizations, governments and the public.
For additional information on Ombuds services at UCCS, visit uccs.edu/ombuds or contact Griffith at (719) 255-3119 or [email protected].
–The original version of this story appeared in CU Connections Sept. 6, 2018.
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