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Bird's Eye View
Wednesday, December 4, 1996
You may not know he exists, but he is here if you need him
What is an ombudsman, anyway?
Each year, several hundred students, faculty and staff venture to Smith Hall to seek solace from one man. Behind the closed, windowless doors of room 104, Robert Shelton has served for 12 years as the University Ombudsman, easing communication when conflicts arise among students, staff, faculty and administration. Yet this man holds a position that is unknown to the greater part of the University.
"Who hit the greatest pair in the country!"
"Alot of people can't even pronounce the word," Shelton said
A lot of people care very well. But there are even more people who are not aware the University has such an office, with one man who handles complaints, serves as a consultant to offer recommendations for policy changes and lends his impartiality when members of the University community clash.
Only a handout, available during orientation sessions, alerts students that the ombudsman exists.
The office's green handout states that the University ombudsman will investigate peoples' claims when they find themselves in a disagreement or dispute with an office, a department or an individual within the University. However, the ombudsman will not automatically take the side of the person with a complaint. Shelton emphasized that the basis of his position was objectivity.
"I am a safe person to talk to. I don't have any personal investment," Shelton said. "I am a pretty laid-back person — I think it's genetic. You can get me upset, but not in this setting. I think just having someone who will listen is important. I don't know how many number of people will leave this office and say it was good to know someone was listening."
Because of the privacy and sensitivity of the cases Shelton oversees, he would not comment on the specifics of the situations he deals with.
Kellie Harmon, the ambudsmans assistant, said Shelton was ideal for the job because of his commitment to fairness.
"His years of training and his dedication to justice makes him good at what he does," Harmon said. "He is dedicated to serving the University and ensuring fair treatment by all of the University's policies and procedures."
Although Shelton spends a lot of his time listening to various complaints or concerns, he insisted that his position as ombudsman was not equated to being a psychologist.
that was no excuse for being an adult.
"I don't have the authority to make anybody do anything," he said. "Part of my job is to help people learn to deal with bureaucracies, and I have seen some pretty big issues, but nothing really surprises me anymore. Human beings are capable of doing all sorts of interesting things."
Only two men have held the KU ambudsman position since it was established in 1977, which was a time universities became
The word ombudsman has Scandinavian origins and was first used as the title of a public office in Sweden. Scholars of Scandinavian languages say the origin of the term refers to a person who has an ear to the people.
In American colleges and universities, the office is referred to as an agent for justice within systems of higher education.
source. Office of the University of Houston
aware of the need to be responsive to student concerns, Shelton said. He said that when the job was available in 1984, several people recommended him to the Senate Executive Committee because he was already involved in University government.
Story by Lindsey Henry Photos by Rich Devinki
"The University provides me with a T.A., but it is essential that I stay in the classroom," he said.
Before his arrival to the University of Kansas in 1967, Shelton served as a campus minister for Kansas State University and Washburn University, something he is reticent to discuss for fear students would equate his office with a religious one.
"I guess it made sense — I'm still doing it," he said.
Prior to his appointment as ambudsman, Shelton was a professor of religious studies for the University — something he continues to do even with the full-time responsibilities of being ambudsman. Shelton now teaches two courses: Loving Relationships, and Human Conflicts and Peace.
Photos by Rich Devinki
"That was a long time ago, several centuries ago," he said. Shelton said he was often asked why he stayed with a job that dealt with angry, confused, frustrated and unhappy people. In his annual report as ombudsman, Shelton stated it was a privilege to be in a position to assist in the maintenance of humanity in a complex institution.
Harmon said it was Shelton's desire to help students with concerns at the University.
"He has wonderful listening skills with a background as a minister," she said. "He has lots of compassion and dedication."
Left: Dr. Robert Shelton teaches his Loving Relationship class in Smith Hall Monday. Below: Shelton has been Ombudsman for 12 years
YOURSITE
L. Li, Bloch and Lorraine Tayler of the Cattahorn house at 1043 W. 200th Street, Ave. Court, #5 students and 3d general admission
Sue Bock and Garth Green Chandler, 10 p.m. at the Botanical, 7:37
New Hampshire Sl Court, #6
Chucky Carner & the River Swamp Band, 10 p.m. at the museum of Lawrence, 9:55 1-2 p.m. at Amherst Sl Court, #8
FERNVY
Mango Jam, 10 p.m. at The Botanical,
737 New Hampshire St.
Cost: $5 and $6.
Jennna Connor Band, 10 p.m.
The Jazzhaus of Lawrence, 9:25-12
Massachusetts St. Cost: $4.
SATURDAY
Scout Baby, Ben Scottson and Paek & Whisler, 10 p.m. at The Fox尾廷, 737 New Hampshire St. Coast; $4 and $5.
Justin Case, 10 p.m. at The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. Coast; $4 and $2.
Baby Jason & The Spursman, 10 p.m. at The Jazzus of Lawrence, 201/1/2 Massachusetts St. Coast; $4.
CUNIDAY
Pre-Vespers recite 2 p.m. and 7
p.m. at Bales Roofal Hall. Free.
Holiday Vespers, 3:30 p.m., and
7:30 p.m. at the Red Center; $4
students and senior citizens and $6
general public.
The Rugbyne and Dash Hip Rock, 20 pm of The Brattleboro,
737 NewHampshire St. $5 and $10
MINIMOV
Dockyard Recital. Anne Winstonport,
Barn 7. 9 o'p.m. at Swarthout
Recital Hall, Free.
Open Monday with STOCK.
The Giltner Kools and Gall m-Face,
10 p.m., at The Bottom街, 731
New Hampshire St. Free.
Bostons Receiver, Hope Repair,
planner; 7:30 p.m. at Broadway
Royal Hall, Rae.
Johnny Cussles, Hanif Benjamini
& Station Wagon, 10 o'cm. At this Belt
Newark, 797 New Hampshire St. S1
and $4.
Skivewave & the Epiphanie, Lakes
Than Jake and Shoalway, 10 o'cm. at
The Graeme, 1020 Massachusetts
St. $7 and $8.
TUESDAY
Critical Volume
Music reviews by Robert Moczydlowsky
In the interest of aiding our reader's holiday shopping, we proudly present the Critical Volume Top Ten for 1996.
Selection criteria included three categories: overall quality, impact on music and future potential.
No. 10 — BR5-49 self-titled debut (Arista Records). Overall Quality: Way better than expected. For a band that began as a Hank Williams, Sr. cover act, these
school country boys sure do write clever songs. And if you can make country music sound clever — well, that's quite an accomplishment. Impact on Music: Major music magazines are hailing BR5-49 as the latest, greatest thing in "alterno-country." But while the band definitely could cross over to a rock audience, they are not an alternative act. BR5-49 are just old fashioned guys who play country music the old-fashioned way. Future Potential: Unlimited, as long as they can continue to get airplay outside of their hometown of Nashville, Temn.
No. 9 — Grateful Dead The Arista Years (Arista Records).
Overall Quality: Classic. Any time you take the best tracks from the
Tool tops list of rockin' good holiday gifts
best records in the legendary Grateful Dead catalog, you are going to have a mighty fine record. Remaster them in some fancy new HDCD digital studio, and what you get is close
cia. Future Potential: None. It's time for Micky Hart and the rest of the boys to retire. We'll remember them more fondly if they fade away gracefully.
to perfection.
Impact on
Music: A fitting
end to the
Dead's long-lasting appeal, and a great memorial for the late guitarist Jerry Garr.
No. 8 - Kill Creek Proving Winter Cruel (Mammoth Records)
Quality:
Truly unique.
Scott Born has
an uncanny gift for twisting his dilemmas into catchy
guitar riff poetry. His tortured voice makes him one of the most honest and heartfelt singers around — local or otherwise. Anybody who listens to the song *Lullaby* and claims not to be moved is lying. Impact on Music: Minimal at best. Outside of small pockets in the Midwest, Kill
No. 7 — Sublime self titled (MCA Records). Overall Quality: Fantastic. Brad Nowell not only had one of the best voices in modern rock, but he was also an underrated guitarist and songwriter. The current radio hit What I Got shows only a fraction of his talent. Impact on Music: Sublime was one of the last do-it-yourself solo rock outfits. The fact that
Creek still is relatively unknown. And considering the scathing review this album received in Alternative Press, chances of improving the band's national stature aren't good. Future Potential: In limbo. Born suffers from Crohn's disease, which limits his ability to tour and sing. The band also is without a permanent drummer — and its future is a mystery at best.
their upbeat blend of punk guitar and reggae finally caught on after Nowell's heroin-related death only makes Sublime's place in
history more tragic. Future Potential: Small. A scholarship fund has been set up for Nowell's son Jakob, and profits from the record will go toward his education.
No. 6 — Satchel The Family (Epic Records). Overall Quality: Atmospheric and excellent. Satchel's blend of slow piano ballads and Shawn Smith's soulful voice is the perfect mood enhancer after a long day. There isn't a bad song on this album. Impact on Music: Drummer Regan Hagar and Smith are close pals with those guys in
Pearl Jam, and their influence can be heard on both No Code and Vital-
No. 5 — Morcheeba Who Can You Trust? (Discovery Records). Overall Quality: Absolutely incredible. This London trio takes trip-hop beats and soul-singer vocals to new levels. Impact on Music: Possibly revolutionary. Female vocalist Skye Edwards is ever so sultry, and the guitar he harps her voice
beats and guitar beneath her voice
ear smooth
the band's live shows have won critical acclaim. If they could just get played on the radio..
are smooth enough for Morcheeba to become the first underground trip-hop group to cross over to radio. Future Potential:
ogy. Future Potential: Unlimited Smith and Hagar are capable of writing an entire album during the course of a weekend, and
Unknown. If this record goes big, watch for a flood of imitation groups by summer.
No.4 - Nirvana From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah (DGC Records). Overall Quality: Could there really be any question? Nirvana is by far the most important band of the '90s, and this compilation of live tracks chronicles why. Impact on Music: This last look at the band which is responsible for the mainstreaming of alternative music
No. 3 — Fugees The Score (Ruff-House/Columbia). Overall Quality: Innovative and lasting. For years hip-hop acts have sampled female vocals into the melodies of their songs, so it was only natural for a group to add a female vocalist. Impact on Music: The Fugees' insistence on melody is not only a huge part of their success, but it is proving to be a key influence
proves why youth flocked to Nirvana in the first place. Future Potential: Boundless. In 10 years Nirvana will have
on rap. Future Potential! Limited only by the group's dedication to its sound. If the Fuges stay on course with their soul-tinged hip-hop
joined the parthenon of rock gods, and rightfully so. Not since the Doors has a band made be miserable sound so beautiful.
style, they could be pioneers in the rap game for a long time.
No. 2 — Weezer Pinkerton (DGC Records). Overall Quality: Catchy, inventive, hilarious. Who else but Weezer would choose to follow up their platinum debut with a record written entirely about singer/guitarist Rivers Cuomo's breakup with a long-time girlfriend? If you listen to this record and don't instinctively start humming along, you don't like pop music. It's just that simple. Impact on music: Maybe Weezer
can get the rest of rock n' roll to lighten up. Wouldn't you pay good money to watch Rivers Cuomo and Eddie Vedder try to write a song together? Future Potential: Hard to say. Ten years from now. Weezer
Entertainment). Overall Quality: Beyond cutting edge. As hard and as gloomy as the band may be, Tool also is one of the most talented groups around. Superior musicianship makes listening to Aenima an experience, not a distraction.
might just be the band people refuse to admit they loved. For though, this record rocks.
Impact on Music; Tool is a band with a truly unique purpose. By focusing every piece of their art — including their videos, album
No.1—Tool Aenima (Zoo
art and live stage shows — toward conveying a single idea, Tool puts itself way ahead of an industry that is too often geared around marketing instead of creative expression. Future Potential: Rare are those rock bands who are willing to dedicate themselves to creativity rather than popularity. Tool is, without a doubt, a band that will push its creative energies to its limit. Whether or not that limit is grounded enough in the mainstream to appeal to large audiences remains to be seen.