Tim Griffin has been the ombudsperson at NIU since 1991 and is the thirteenth person to hold that title. He earned both a bachelors degree in Music and a masters in Counseling and Student Affairs from Western Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the Ohio State University. He has been a public school teacher in Michigan and a fulltime faculty member at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Ohio State University. He has also held various administrative appointments in Student Affairs including such areas as housing, judicial affairs, financial aid, student activities, student union, and central administration. At NIU, he serves as an ex-officio member of several NIU committees and teaches a section of the NIU course: UNIV-101, The Freshman Experience. He is a member of several professional organizations and has been a board member of the University and College Ombuds Association. Dr. Griffin is a 1997 recipient of the NIU Presidential Supportive Professional Staff Award for Excellence. [View resume]

The NIU Office of the Ombudsman was established and opened its doors in 1969 to provide a neutral line of communication to the administration. Since that time over 20,000 individual members of the university community have consulted with the staff. Since its beginnings, the Office of the Ombudsman has served students, faculty, and staff who have sought assistance in responding to conditions or situations within the institution. Soon, obvious trends in the types of issues presented emerged. Finding itself in the somewhat unique position of having the ability to identify needed changes in policies and procedures from the broadest of perspectives, the office began making recommendations for institutional improvements.

The Office of the Ombudsman was established by the University Council. This body of 62 elected representatives includes faculty, staff, and student members. Chaired by the NIU president, the University Council continues to regularly evaluate the performance of the ombudsman and also periodically evaluates the continued need for the office. Reporting to such a body, rather than to an individual administrator, allows the office to maintain independence from potential influence by any one person or constituency.

Nearly 1,000 individuals consult confidentially with the ombudsman each year. In addition to assisting each of them in the resolution of their unique concerns, the office provides input into the development of policies and procedures to help make the institution as responsive as possible to the needs of its constituents.