Judy Guillermo-Newton, an experienced counselor, therapist, and former associate ombuds, has been selected UCSB ombuds by Executive Vice Chancellor Gene Lucas.

Judy Guillermo-Newton, the campus?s conflict mediation officer for this past year, was appointed UCSB?s new ombuds on January 1, announced Gene Lucas, executive vice chancellor.

The Ombuds Office, which resolves or refers complaints from staff, faculty, and students, is part of multiple, and often overlapping, systems at UCSB for conflict resolution. The focus of a task force report last June, the office is currently undergoing a redefinition of its operation and enhancement of its resources.

?Our campus has many fine venues that deal with conflict resolution,? Guillermo-Newton said. ?I hope that through the Ombuds Office we can coordinate our efforts so that the campus feels well served.?

A 30-year UCSB employee, she counts among her past posts four years as an associate ombuds. She worked for six years as the campus director of the Sexual Harassment Prevention Education Program.

She said she looks forward to renewal of the Ombuds Office, based on the ?excellent? recommendations of the task force headed by William Forgie, professor of philosophy. ?I will be working with Judy to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Conflict Resolution,? wrote Lucas.

The group has posted its report and recommendations online at <http://www.evc.ucsb.edu/evc/memos/view.cfm?file=08-25-04.html>.

This month the Ombuds Office relocates to SH 3724, and may be contacted at x3285.