The CU ombuds programs join the American Bar Association in celebrating Ombuds Day Oct. 11.
The American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section has declared the second Thursday of October as Ombuds Day. The inaugural celebration will take place Oct. 11. 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. Plans for celebrating Ombuds Day at CU Boulder include an open house from 10 a.m. to noon in the Ombuds Office, located in C4C N440. There also will be an informative celebration at the ABA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
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.
Here at the University of Colorado, each of the four campuses has an organizational ombuds program to help faculty, staff and students discuss, address and surface university-related concerns.
