An Open letter to the B.C. Ombudsman:
Growing numbers of women in B.C. universities have come forward to express their outrage at the B.C. Ombudsman's office. Women from the University of B.C.'s Counselling Psychology and Political Science departments are frustrated and angry with the silence and inaction by the Ombudsman. Women are alarmed by the recent decision to close an investigation into the University of Victoria's Political Science department which we do not consider to be an impartial resolution of the Chilly Climate Committee complaint [see "Against the Victoria Chill," Kinesis, June 1994, p.17; "Climate Report Opens Floodgates," Herizons, Fall 1994, p.28].

Women from Counselling Psychology filed a complaint with the Ombudsman over a year ago because they were dissatisfied with the way the U.B.C. Administration handled threats of male violence at Counselling Psychology. Despite continued threats of physical and sexual violence to women in the department of Counselling Psychology at U.B.C. (most recently in February of 1995 and under investigation), the Ombudsman disregards women's urgent requests for information and action. Such a lack of response from the Ombudsman clearly contravenes section 25(2) of the Ombudsman's Act which indicates that she "shall in every case inform the complainant within a reasonable time of the result of the investigation."

In addition, several students from the department of Political Science at U.B.C., where there is an ongoing inquiry into "pervasive sexism and racism," have approached the Ombudsman and were brusquely turned away.

Nancy Reid

Women students are outraged by the Ombudsman's apparent disregard for their welfare and have lost faith in this office. In spite of numerous requests for action from students, who risk further retaliations by making complaints in the first place, the Ombudsman has virtually ignored them.

We are left asking, "Is the Ombudsman merely the unwitting puppet of powerful university administrations?"

Sincerely
Alliance of Feminists Across Campuses
University of British Columbia
University of Victoria
Simon Fraser University

Dear WEdf:
As a new subscriber to Women's Education des femmes, I would like to commend everyone associated with its production. I have had the opportunity to see the special issue "Learning and Violence: Women Speak Out" and wondered if it would be possible to have my own copy. Are there any extra copies and how much would it cost? Thank you.

Sincerely,
Anne Brander
Langdon, Alberta

[Copies of "Learning and Violence: Women Speak Out" and "Violence Prevention" are still available at a cost of $2.50 ea + GST + postage and handling.]