Ombuds History

November 2022 - The Provost, Chancellor, and General Counsel signed the revised Charter in November 2022. It is now posted in the KU policy library and on the Ombuds website.  

Fall 2021 through Fall 2022 - Consultation began between the University and part-time Associate Ombuds, KU’s General Counsel, and the International Ombuds Association’s Executive Director, to revise and modernize the 2008 Charter. The University Governance Leadership group offered feedback on late drafts and offered their endorsement on the final version.  

January 2021 - Ada Emmett becomes the Acting and then Interim University Ombuds (January 2022) after serving as the part-time Faculty Ombuds from August 2019. She was named permanent University Ombuds after a national search in August 2022.

February 2008 - As far as our records show the University Ombuds Office published its first “Charter”, at that time called “Statement of Best Practices for the University of Kansas Ombuds Office February 5, 2008”. The Charter was approved by University Governance, General Counsel, the Provost, and Chancellor. 

2006 - KU hires its first full time University Ombuds, Kellie Harmon. This position continued to be supported by part-time ombuds who were members of the faculty. 

August 29, 1977 - Dr. Balfour accepted the position of Ombudsman.

May 6, 1977 -  An ad was placed in UDK and Lawrence Journal-World for position of Ombudsman.

April 15,1976 - University Council took an opinion poll to determine the extent of the support for creation of an ombudsman. The Council unanimously reaffirmed its support for an ombudsman. 

November 13,1975 - University Council passed an amendment to the Rules and Regulations of the University Senate creating an Advisory Committee on Campus Grievances and also creating the position of University Ombudsman. 

October 24,1974 - University Council voted to ask the O&A Committee to look into the feasibility of a large board constituted to handle various grievances or an ombudsman who would be charged to direct various types of grievance to appropriate existing. boards and committees.