Updates:

Standing Committee:
The Committee has been meeting regularly since its inception. All subcommittees have been formed and have been meeting to deliberate on each of their respective topics. During each Committee meeting all Subcommittee Chairs present updates to the Committee for consideration.

Affirmative Action/Opportunity and Diversity Expansion Subcommittee:
The Subcommittee held biweekly meetings beginning October 24, 2006 and continues to communicate on issues related to questions/suggestions from the Standing Committee.

The Subcommittee reviewed and discussed the issues brought forth by the Blue Ribbon Panel as it related to Affirmative Action at DMC. Written recommendations were submitted to the Standing Committee for their consideration.

Training Subcommittee:
The Subcommittee has been meeting regularly, has reviewed a number of training programs (from within Downstate and in other institutions) that would fulfill the identified needs, and is in the process of refining its recommendations to the Standing Committee. The Subcommittee expects that their recommendations will be complete before the end of March.

Ombudsman Subcommittee:
The Subcommittee held its first meeting on October 23, 2006. It has met at least ten times since this date. The Subcommittee's invited guests included Alexander Rivera, Ombuds for Downtown Advising and Oversight Committee; George Frangos, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Graduate Medical Education who serves as an Ombuds for the GME program; and Ross Clinchy, Ph.D., Associate Dean of the College of Medicine who was a member of the President's Blue Ribbon Committee on Employee Perceptions and Morale.

The Subcommittee's offsite activities to date include two visits: SUNY Stony Brook Ombud's Office and the Columbia University Ombuds Office. The Subcommittee also has researched volumes of material relating to ombuds offices, as well as websites for universities and colleges and various professional associations. The Subcommittee is in the process of making its findings and recommendations to the Standing Committee.