Rosen Singleton begins duties as Gallaudet’s first ombuds

Suzy Rosen Singleton

Gallaudet has joined a growing number of colleges and universities who have hired ombuds—skilled, impartial negotiators who facilitate problem-solving by acting as a liaison between various constituencies of an institution.

The ombuds philosophy was born in Sweden 200 years ago as a means to resolve conflicts between the government and its citizenry, said Suzy Rosen Singleton, the University’s first ombuds. The value of having a neutral intermediary between individuals or groups who are at odds with each other was quickly recognized, and over the years other organizations embraced the concept. The past decade has seen a marked rise of ombuds in the field of academia. Rosen Singleton estimates ombuds are on board at 200 United States colleges and universities; locally, Gallaudet joins the University of Maryland, and George Mason and Georgetown universities.

The growing trend is logical, said Rosen Singleton, who began her duties at the University on January 14, because the presence of an unbiased liaison “lends itself to a healthy atmosphere and maintains the integrity of the institution.” Neutrality is so paramount to an ombuds’ function that those in the position abide by a strict code of ethics endorsed by the International Ombuds Association.

Essentially, the Gallaudet ombuds will listen to any concerns from members of the campus community and serve as a mediator between parties to resolve disputes. The ombuds also makes referrals, empowering individuals by informing them of available resources in areas such as academic support programs, University administrative programs, mental health services, equal employment, small claims, and grievances. Issues an ombuds may mediate are limitless. At Gallaudet, for instance, they may involve conflicts between students and faculty members about grades, problems with registering for classes, feelings of discrimination or harassment based on race, creed, religion, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, physical disabilities, or sexual orientation, learning environment mistreatment, or such matters as health services, parking, Cafeteria food, library fines, and financial aid.

Rosen Singleton’s goal is to ensure the effective delivery of appropriate services to all members of the community, but she emphasizes that her position is strictly informal in nature. “I can’t force anyone to do anything. I’m an advocate for procedural fairness, not for any party’s particular interest or position; I endeavor to make available the needed tools to ensure effective conflict resolution management on campus.”

Technically, the scope of Rosen Singleton’s efforts is limited to students until the fall of 2009, but she said that, as a practical matter, “my policy is I won’t turn anyone away” from her office in Ely 113. “People can come by anytime or set an appointment. My door is always open.”

So far, she is committed to networking with the community, becoming familiar with issues, and making herself known to the campus. She has met with representatives of student organizations, attended various student-oriented meetings, as well as networked with fellow “Ombuddies” on a national level to ensure that the best practices of ombudsing can be implemented on campus.

Rosen Singleton is well credentialed to take the role of a skilled, unbiased mediator. After obtaining a juris doctor degree from the UCLA School of Law, she became an attorney at the California Center for Law and the Deaf, then accepted a job as the legal counsel for government affairs for the National Association of the Deaf. Prior to taking the ombuds position at Gallaudet, Rosen Singleton worked for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, U.S. Department of Education, as education program specialist in the Monitoring and State Improvement Planning Division. Having spent her freshman and sophomore years at Gallaudet, she feels honored to be able to serve the institution that helped shape her commitment to promote quality lives for deaf and hard of hearing individuals.