In order to have a new ombudsman in place by July 1, the Ombudsman Search Committee currently is considering about 27 applicants and will be examining about 30 more applications next month.

Committee Chairman John DeLillo said the committee will review the credentials of the additional 30 applicants when their files are complete. Applicants have until Tuesday to finish their files, he added.

The duties of the ombudsman include listening to and investigating any university-related complaints or grievances by any member of the university community. In addition, the ombudsman acts on any justified complaints and assists in the communication process.

DeLillo pointed out the five major qualifications the ombudsman should have. “The person we are looking for should be familiar with the workings of a university. They should have involvement in different levels of a university, including government,” he said.

The ombudsman also should deal successfully with a wide variety of people and should be able to maintain client confidentiality, he said. DeLillo said the ombudsman should possess good arbitration, mediation and communication skills, both written and oral. In addition, he or she should at least have earned a bachelor’s degree, although a master’s degree is preferred.

DeLillo said when the search committee members have finished reviewing all the applications, they will request permission to begin interviews from Affirmative Action. Tony Waterford, of Affirmative Action, said this is the standard procedure for university interviewing and hiring. “It is to assure that a good-faith effort has been taken in fairly chosing candidates,” he said.

With the go-ahead from Affirmative Action, the search committee should begin interviews by mid-April, DeLillo said. In addition to being interviewed by the search committee, the candidates are questioned by student representatives, faculty members, operating staff members, supporting staff members and administrators.

Open sessions, in which anyone from the university can question the candidates, also might be held depending on time constraints, DeLillo said.

When the interview process is complete, the search committee will submit two recommendations to NIU President John LaTourette, who then makes his choice. DeLillo said he hopes the new ombudsman will be chosen by the first week in May.