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History of the Ombudsman
Origin of the term “Ombudsman”
The term ombudsman (om-budz-man)
originated in Sweden and dates back to 1809 when the Swedish
Parliament appointed an Ombudsman to resolve problems in the
absence of the king. Ombudsman
means grievance handler, the people’s representative or
delegate. This
concept became a popular method for resolving problems and
quickly spread to other countries.
In the United States and Canada, Ombudsman Offices have
been created to assist citizens, consumers, children, students
and employees who wish to address their concerns
confidentially. The
Ombudsman function has been utilized in state and federal
agencies, prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, child protective
services, industry and higher education colleges and
universities.
Origin of the Ombudsman Office at Washington State
University
The Washington State University Office of
the University Ombudsman was established in 1970.
President Glenn Terrell formed a special faculty Summer
Discussion Group on July 23, 1970, to study problems
confronting higher education during the period of nation-wide
campus unrest of the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Many universities established Ombudsman Offices in an
attempt to provide a safe place for the university community
to have their concerns addressed.
In the Discussion Group Committee’s Final Report,
published in Community (WSU newspaper) November 12, 1970,
President Terrell recommended that an Ombudsman be appointed.
The varied and possible functions of the Ombudsman were
to:
-Investigate and recommend action on any
matter brought up as a grievance by any member(s) of the
University community.
-Resolve possible conflict, tension,
abuse of rights, etc.
-Anticipate conflict situations, and act
appropriately.
The intent was to lessen the direct and initial confrontation
of the President with grievances at WSU.
The Ombudsman’s Office was created to facilitate the
solution of many smaller problems and reshape others in ways
which could be dealt with successfully by central
administration. President
Terrell requested that the Ombudsman resolve conflict by
informal attempts at reconciliation with faculty, students,
staff or administrative officers in the institution.
The Ombudsman’s Office continues to provide an open,
immediate, available sounding board for all university related
grievances. The
services of the Ombudsman do not replace the formal WSU
Complaint Procedures or other areas of redress.
The Ombudsman is an additional resource, which is
neutral, objective, confidential and advisory by identifying
options for resolving conflict.
Personnel
For several years the ombudsman selected
was a tenured faculty member serving a two-year term (with
optional additional term).
In 1998, the Provost selected one half-time tenured
faculty and one half-time administrative/professional
ombudsman to serve two year terms with optional renewable
terms. The Ombudsman operate independently and report directly to
the WSU Provost and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. The office is also staffed by an Assistant
to the Ombudsman.
Past and Present WSU University Ombudsmen
| 1971 |
Louis McNew |
| Feb. 1971 – Sept. 1973
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Bruce Anawalt, Professor of English |
| Sept. 1973 – Sept. 1975 |
Theodore R. Saldin, Professor of Business Admin. |
| Sept. 1975 – Sept. 1977 |
F. Dudley Klopfer, Professor of Psychology |
| Sept. 1977 – Sept. 1979 |
Toshio Akamine, Professor of Education |
| Sept. 1979 – Sept. 1981 |
Fritz Blackwell, Professor of Asian Studies |
| Sept. 1981 – Sept. 1984 |
H. Clare Wiser, Professor of Mathematics |
| Sept. 1984 – August 1987 |
John Donnelly, Professor of Economics |
| Aug. 1987 – July 1990 |
Walfred Peterson, Professor of Political Science |
| Aug. 1990 – July 1993 |
H. Clare Wiser, Professor of Mathematics |
| Aug. 1993 – July 1997 |
Mary Gallwey, Professor of Human Development |
| 1998
to Present |
Kenneth Struckmeyer, Prof. of Landscape Architecture |
| 1998 to Present |
Pennie Pierson,
Administrative/Professional |
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| Assistant Ombudsman |
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| 1978 to
June, 2004 |
Patricia Bezdicek, Administrative/Professional |
| Aug. 2004 to present |
Debbie Waite, Adminstrative/Professional |
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