Ombudsperson office faces scrutiny over perceived conflict of interests

Perceived conflicts of interest have placed the University Ombudsperson under scrutiny after faculty raised concerns about the role’s impartiality.

The Queen’s University Faculty Association (QUFA), the union representing faculty members at the University, published an article in their October QUFA Voices Issue to discuss a perceived conflict in the Office of the University Ombudsperson (OUO). The Ombudsperson—currently Norma Barrett, who stepped into the role on Oct. 1, 2024—is meant to be an impartial role within the University’s administration “to help ensure procedural fairness in university decision-making.”

Karen Sisson, QUFA’s grievance officer and the author of the article, first points out that the current Ombudsperson is married to a senior administrator. While not named in the article, The Journal was informed by a separate source that the current Ombudsperson, Norma Barrett, is married to the Dean of Smith Engineering, Kevin Deluzio.

“From QUFA’s perspective, the existence of close and personal relationship(s) between an ombudsman and senior administrator(s) of the organization is clearly a problem; there will always be the ongoing risk of, at minimum, a perceived conflict of interest,” Sisson wrote in the QUFA article.

When contacted by The Journal for an interview on QUFA’s concerns, Sisson declined but reiterated that the issues they’re highlighting “raise concerns about a perceived COI; QUFA doesn’t intend to allege malfeasance by drawing attention to the perceived COI.”

While not addressing the relationship itself, in a statement to The Journal, the University wrote that they have mechanisms in place to strive for impartiality.

“Safeguards at Queen’s include established standard operating procedures for managing conflicts of interest—developed with external expert input and applied on a case-by-case basis—as well as a clear commitment to transparency, impartiality, and consistency in practice.”

Sisson also pointed out an issue QUFA has taken with the structure of the OUO itself. The article explains that in 2023, the OUO changed its reporting structure from being under the purview of the University Secretariat to within the portfolio of the Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) (VPCEI).

This added responsibility means the VPCEI aids with daily operations of the OUO, is the Chair of the Ombudsperson Advisory Committee, and is responsible for appointing the Ombudsperson.

“This means that the Ombudsperson is expected to receive advice and guidance from the same VP responsible for oversight of offices that may be subject to an OUO complaint or enquiry. This also places the OUO directly within the institutional structure, undermining its capacity to maintain true independence,” Sisson wrote.

In response, the University explained the reason the office was moved, citing an external review in 2018 that justified the change.

“[The offices’ movement] was to ensure the OUO was provided with adequate human resources and administrative support. From an accountability perspective, the Ombudsperson continues to report directly to the Board of Trustees, ensuring independence from university administration,” Queen’s wrote.

“A 2018 external review of the office confirmed that ombuds structures vary widely across the sector and that a structure that includes administrative support from another university office, when accompanied by strong safeguards, can enhance effectiveness.”

Sisson wrote that QUFA “has raised these concerns with the Administration repeatedly, but those objections seem to fall on deaf ears.” She added that they’ve requested an updated review but haven’t been granted one, with the University confirming in its statement to The Journal that an external review isn’t currently being considered.

Tags

Dean, impartiality, Kevin deluzio, Office of the University Ombudsperson, ombudsperson

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