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0 B B St
umouasman i
eaves
post after 2
-year stmt
By Rebecca Erite
UML's campus ombudsman will resign July 1, after
two years as a mediator for University students,
faculty, administrators and staff.
When James T. Suter took the job in March 1972,
he told Daily NbrA:n reporters he had screed to
continue as ombudsman only until the end of the
1972-73 school year.
Now, a year after that self-imposed deadline, Suter
said, that though he is glad to have served, he also is
pleased to see his job end.
"It's a yery wearing position," he said. "I wouldn't
trade the experience for all the money in the world,
but I wouldn't give a nickel to do it over again."
The ombudsman position was created by the
regents in 1972 after ASUN expressed a need for an
independent, impartial advocate to handle problems
when going through established University channels
failed.
Suter, an associate professor of architecture and
planning, was selected by a committee of students,
faculty and administrators.
The office is funded by the administration and
some student fees, Suter said. He said he believes it
also should be supported financially by faculty and
staff, as all four groups have access to its services.
Although students compose about 75 of 'his
, clientele, Suter emphasized he is not a student
advocate.
"I hope to God the position never becomes that,"
he said.
He also stressed what he believed to be the
importance of retaining a faculty member in the
office.
"Just about any qualified person could do the
job," he said, "but a faculty member would probably
have a better understanding of University politics."
The ombudsman's position currently is under
evaluation by a committee from the Council on
Student Life (CSL).
"It's been two years," CSL Chairman Don
Shaneyfelt said. "We need to. examine the design and
efficiency of the position (before selecting a new
ombudsman)."
Suter said he believes the office has succeeded.
"It's well worth the investment," he said. "In two
years, we have been instrumental in saving the jobs of
about 20 University employes, and at least 12 others
have remained who wouid have quit otherwise.
"At least 40 or 50 students have remained in
school who were going to be dismissed or have to
drop out. Policies arid procedures have been changed,
some administrator have been dismissed and others
reassigned. Pecpla who were simply lost in the shuf lta
have been found.
"I won't say we were directly responsible for ail
this," he added, "but most of it would not have
happened without us."
Suter said he is sure the functions of his office
have saved the University "well over the $30,000 it
costs to keep us going."
He- refused to 'release specific . examples of
problems his office has dealt with, claiming it would
be counterproductive to his job. -
"I trade on reliability," he said, "Confidentiality is -the
major function of what I do.
"If someone refuses to right a wrong, I .nay resort.,
to public forum," he said, "but if the problem is -resolved,
why should I wash the person's dirty -laundry
in public?"
He added that most of the conflicts he deals with
do not result from malevolence on the parts of the
"Most problems stem from confusion and lack of
communication," he said. "That, and the inability of,
a large organization to deal with individual persons."
Suter said he had several personal
recommendations to make for the office.
"The idea of having a specified term of office is
important," he said. "Am ombudsman would be
ineffective as an institution.
"Also, if a faculty member has the position, ho or
she should be tenured." He explained the
ombudsman is necessarily
administration's side" at times.
'a thorn in the
"An untenured faculty person could be in a
vulnerable position after leaving office," he said, but.
added the administration has never pressured him. He
Suter said he tries to maintain "a low profile."
"I like to think I can help solve problems without
anyone even knowing I've been there," he said.
"Bui if students and University personnel think
the off ice is important, I hope they would make their
feelings known."
Ombudsman James Suter
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,cdnesday, april 3, 1974
daily ncbraokan
page 3