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News

UH looking for faculty, staff adviser

Search under way for ‘resource person' to help administration address employees' grievances

by JESSICA ROBERTSON
Senior Staff Writer

The University is seeking nominations for an ombudsman who will act as a procedural adviser for faculty and staff with concerns or grievances related to their employment.

The Faculty Senate and Staff Council worked jointly for more than a year to discuss the role and duties of an ombudsman, former Faculty Senate President Allen Warner said. 

Provost Donald Foss has drafted a job description for the position and is accepting nominees through Wednesday.

"It will benefit all of us because the person doing this job can turn what can be real conflicts … into understanding," Foss said. "Other senior administrators and I can learn from the ombudsperson if all our policies are fair, and if not, we can fix them."

The provost said and an advisory committee will review the nominees and meet with candidates before appointing someone to the position. 

Foss said he hopes the decision will be made in March, and the ombudsman will begin his or her duties in the summer.

Nominees should be impartial University employees who are willing to become knowledgeable about faculty and staff policies and procedures, including the formal and informal grievance processes.

"The whole idea is to provide a resource person for faculty and staff," Warner said. 

"It's not meant to be an advocate for the individual but to help faculty and staff understand the various routes available (if they have a complaint) … and to avoid legal grievances," Warner said.

After reviewing the recommendations of faculty and staff, Foss decided to hire an internal candidate, who will serve as ombudsman in addition to his or her assignment of responsibilities, rather than an outside applicant. 

Foss said the position will likely be a term appointment with the possibility of renewal by mutual agreement.

"The job description by Foss has been discussed by the relevant Senate committee, and they are satisfied with it as an excellent starting point," Faculty Senate President Steven Craig said. "Clearly, UH will be feeling its way a little bit in this direction, which is another way of saying we don't know the exact answer. 

"The approach taken by Foss is an excellent starting point, since it's the lower cost option, and can be expanded if needed."

Allowing faculty who are on voluntary modification of employment to be nominated increases the odds of finding a suitable person for the job, Warner said. 

Faculty members on VMOE are former full-time faculty who have reached retirement age and now work slightly less than part-time. They would be good candidates for the position because they understand University policies, Warner said.

"I'm aware of at least one person who is interested (in the position), and who I believe would be excellent," Craig said. "There is actually a wealth of talent on campus, and I'm pretty convinced that a high quality, talented and well-suited person will be found."

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