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The start of the 2024-25 academic year brought new leadership to the Office of the University Ombudsperson (OUO). Effective Oct. 1, Norma Barrett has been appointed University Ombudsperson.

In this role, Barrett will lead the OUO team in continuing to provide impartial and confidential guidance to university community members on matters of procedural fairness. She will act as an essential resource in the fair and equitable resolution of disputes as well as the strengthening of institutional structures and decision-making processes.

“Throughout my time in the military and in the higher education sector, I have observed that the most effective policies are equitable in both how they are developed and how they are applied," Barrett says. "No matter the role a person holds when they engage with a policy or process, they must see themselves within that policy framework and trust that they will be treated fairly. As University Ombudsperson, I will strive to ensure that the work of our office continues to reflect this approach. I am grateful to be stepping into the role following a significant period of effective transition for the office under the leadership of former Ombuds Lavonne Hood and Interim Ombuds Heather Trojek.”

Most recently, Barrett served as Senior Director, Student Conduct and Care in the Division of Student Affairs. She joined Queen's in 2019 as the Director of the Student Conduct Office, with promotion to Senior Director in the summer of 2022. In these roles, Barrett actively worked to strengthen processes and procedures for the fair resolution of complaints under the Student Code of Conduct, Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy, and the Policy on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Violence Involving Students.

In that time, Barrett also served the broader university community as a member of the Ombudsperson Advisory Committee, and more recently as Chair of the Sexual Violence Policy Implementation Working Group.

“I am excited to welcome Norma to the Ombudsperson role and looking forward to the important contribution she will make to university policy oversight,” says Stephanie Simpson, Vice-Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion). “Norma’s years of experience acting as a bridge between policies and people will benefit the role enormously. Through her important work as a legal advisor and later as a key member of the Student Conduct Office and Ombudsperson Advisory Committee, Norma has a knowledge base that will serve her and the university community very well.” 

Prior to joining Queen's, Barrett served as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces as a Logistics Officer, followed by selection for the Military Legal Training Plan and graduation from Queen's Law in 2011. Barrett completed her military career as a legal advisor with responsibilities for oversight of military justice operations in Trenton. During her military career, she received recognition for her dedication and commitment to fairness in administrative legal matters.

Heather Trojek, who served as Interim University Ombudsperson for the past year, will continue to serve the office in the capacity of Associate University Ombudsperson.

Following an external review of the office at the end of 2018, the role of the Ombudsperson was revised as was the OUO’s Terms of Reference. The new terms reflected the Ombudsperson’s role of assisting all Queen’s community members through awareness of their rights, while also helping to ensure procedural fairness in university decision-making. Lavonne Hood was appointed as University Ombudsperson in 2019, and later transitioned into the role of Acting Vice-Principal (Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion) in the Human Rights and Equity Office in 2023, which created the OUO vacancy. Hood has since been named Associate Vice-Principal (Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion) in a full-time capacity.