Office of the Ombuds Update - March 2016

The Office of the Ombuds is happy to report two significant developments in the internal operations of this independent office. First, the Office of the Ombuds now operates under the auspices of a newly approved Policy and Procedure, 39001, College Ombuds. 39001CP codifies the Ombuds charter previously adopted by Dr. Pollard and affirms that the Office of the Ombuds will abide by the International Ombudsman Association's Code of Ethics, providing voluntary, confidential, informal, impartial, and independent assistance to members of the College community. Additionally, a full-time, regular status position has been approved and is currently in recruitment. Those interested in applying must complete an application by April 5, 2016. It is hoped that the new, full-time ombuds will be in place no later than July 1. At that time, the current College Ombuds, Sarah Espinosa, will assist in the orientation of the new College Ombuds and then continue to work part-time exploring the feasibility of expanding ombuds services to students. Ms. Espinosa also plans to publish the third annual ombuds report in July 2016. For further information, please visit: http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/ombuds or email ombuds@montgomerycollege.edu.