Ombuds History
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.
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.
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.
May 6, 1977 – An ad was placed in UDK and Lawrence Journal-World for position of Ombudsman.
August 29, 1977 - Dr. Balfour accepted the position of Ombudsman.
Past Ombuds

Dr. D.A. Graham, University Ombuds 2017 - 2020
Dr. Graham's academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in speech communications from the University of Alabama, a master's degree in divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, a master's degree in human relations from the University of Oklahoma and a doctorate in education from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His honors and awards include the Navy’s Distinguished Service Award Chaplain of the Year and the Outstanding New Professional of the Year Award from California State, San Diego.
Contact: Dagraham@consultant.com

Dr. Maria Orive, Faculty Ombuds 2007 - 2019
She is a professor of evolutionary theory in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and currently serves as Associate Dean for Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Kansas.

Kellie Harmon, University Ombuds 2006 - 2017
