After eight years of discussion, Northwestern welcomed Sarah Klaper, the University’s first ombudsperson, last fall to help students navigate difficult situations on campus. Klaper and Carrie Thomas, program coordinator for the Office of the Ombudsperson, hosted an open house Oct. 13 to reintroduce the NU community to the role for the upcoming academic year. “My.
Northwestern’s first ombudsperson, Sarah Klaper, was recruited in August 2021 to provide assistance for academic or work-related issues. Now, she is working to ensure neutrality and confidentiality for all members of the NU community. The ombudsperson is a neutral and confidential resource for the University community that helps people determine the right course of action.
Northwestern’s newly-appointed ombudsperson and an Office of Equity leader discussed changes to NU’s harassment and discrimination reporting process in a Wednesday Faculty Senate meeting. The University announced it would change harassment and discrimination policies by Sept. 3 after releasing the results of an independent investigation into reports of sexual harassment and racism raised by the.
May 27, 2021
Instead of digging through archives in Paris and Geneva, history Prof. Helen Tilley, a single mother, spent the spring of her sabbatical researching and writing on the bed while her then-11-year-old daughter completed virtual assignments next to her.Â
Tilley, a Northwestern faculty member since 2012, was on research leave in Cambridge, England. When COVID-19 caused worldwide shutdowns, Tilley and her daughter remained in their rented townhouse bedroom, which didnât have room for a desk.Â
Her daughter would interrupt her several times each day about making lunch, walking the dog or completing her homework. Although Tilley said she wanted to help her daughter, the situation wasnât conducive to getting her research work done.Â
Northwestern Now
Klaper comes to Northwestern from Northern Illinois University
Sarah Klaper has been named as Northwestern University’s first Ombudsperson, Provost Kathleen Hagerty announced today. She was hired following a national search and will start on Aug. 1.
The Ombudsperson acts as a neutral, independent, impartial and confidential resource for faculty, staff and students on all three Northwestern campuses: Evanston, Chicago and Doha, Qatar. The Ombudsperson will offer assistance on a broad array of issues, including academic and work-related concerns.
Sarah Klaper
“I am delighted to welcome Sarah Klaper to Northwestern,” Hagerty said. “Our community identified a need for an impartial, confidential resource, and I am confident that Sarah has the experience and temperament to make an immediate impact on campus.”