Committees are very good at getting nothing done

Graduate Student Ombuds Office http://www.albany.edu/gradstudies/gradstudent_ombuds.php

There's an ombudspersons' office, of sorts, for graduate students. One was approved for undergraduate students, yet never materialized.

• November 21, 2005 University Senate http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/Min112105rev.doc

• December 19, 2005 Undergraduate Academic Council http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/12-19-05_UAC_minutes.doc

• February 6, 2006 Undergraduate Academic Council “Other Business” http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/2-6-06_minutes.doc

• September 21, 2006 University Policy and Planning Council http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/UPCMinutes9-21-06-FINAL_(2).doc

• September 25, 2006 University Senate http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/9-25-06_1stDRAFT_DDRC_Senate_Minutes.doc

• October 11, 2006 Undergraduate Academic Council “Undergraduate Ombuds Office Proposal” http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/UAC_10-11-06_minutes(1).doc

• October 23, 2006 University Senate http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/10-23-06__Senate_Meeting_(2)RCSHDD.doc

• October 24, 2006 University Policy and Planning Council http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/UPCMin102406REV.doc

• November 8, 2006 Undergraduate Academic Council http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/UAC_11-8-06_minutes.doc

• November 13, 2006 University Senate Executive Committee http://www.albany.edu/11-13-06_Senate_Executive_Committee_SHDDRC.doc

• November 20, 2006 University Life Council http://www.albany.edu/ULC_11_20_06_Minutes.doc

• November 27, 2006 University Senate http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/11-27-06_Senate_MinutesRCSH.doc

• November 30, 2006 University Policy and Planning Council http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/UPC_Minutes113006D2-REV_(2).doc

• December 4, 2006 University Senate Executive Committee http://www.albany.edu/12-4-06_Senate_Executive_Committee_DMDRCSH.doc

• December 18, 2006 University Senate http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/12-18-06_Senate_Agenda(1).doc

• December 18, 2006 University Senate http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/12-18-06_Senate_MINUTES_RCDDSH.doc

As the text of the following bill indicates, the Ombudsperson would not have been terribly likely to be effective:

IT IS HEREBY PROPOSED: [...]

2. That the Undergraduate Ombuds Office is to act as an informal, independent, confidential, and non-partisan counsel to undergraduate students on matters related to university experiences [...]

5. That the Ombudspersons be tenured or emeriti members of the faculty.

6. That an Undergraduate Ombuds Committee be created to provide counsel to the ombudspersons. Members will include the Provost (or designee), Chair of the Senate (or designee), ULC Chair, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Vice President for Student Success, University Counsel, Affirmative Action Officer, two faculty members appointed by the ULC, one member of the professional staff appointed by the ULC, and two undergraduate students appointed by the undergraduate Student Association.

7. That the Ombudspersons report to the University Provost. The Provost (or designee) will appoint the Ombudspersons for a two-year term in consultation with the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, the Vice President for Student Success, and the University Senate Chair, subject to ratification by the Undergraduate Ombuds Committee.

With the Ombuds being faculty; the Ombuds Committee being mostly university administrators, the Provost appointing the Ombuds, and the Ombuds reporting to the Provost - that's not all that "independent" and not all that likely to result in "non-partisan" service to undergraduate students.

• December 18, 2006 Establishment of an Ombuds Office for Undergraduates Senate Bill No. 0607-04 http://www.albany.edu/0607-04_-_U-GOmbudsRev2_(4).doc

• December 20, 2006 University Policy and Planning Council “Chair’s Report Senate meeting items” http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/UPCMin12_20_06D2.doc

• March 5, 2007 Graduate Academic Council http://www.albany.edu/GAC_Minutes_3_5_07.doc

• October 22, 2007 University Senate http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/Senate_10-22-07.doc

• September 14, 2009 University Senate Executive Committee “Old Business” http://www.albany.edu/09-14-2009_SEC_Agenda.doc

• September 16, 2009 CAS Faculty Council Meeting http://www.albany.edu/casfc/CAS_Faculty_Council_Minutes_09_10.pdf

• September 29, 2009 University Life Council http://www.albany.edu/ULC_-_Sept_29.docx

• October 6, 2009 University Life Council “Ombuds Research” http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/Minutes_-_10-6-09.doc

• October 19, 2009 University Senate http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/10-19-09_Minutes_(RMR).doc

• December 14, 2009 University Senate “Academic Affairs Report” http://www.albany.edu/senate/images/12-14-09_Minutes_(rmr2).doc