Kibby, Foster appointed as faculty, staff ombudspersons

May 05, 2022

Kibby, Foster appointed as faculty, staff ombudspersons

Michelle Kibby and Lori Foster have been appointed ombudspersons to assist university faculty and staff, respectively. Kibby is a professor in the School of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences, and Foster is an administrative aide in the Office of Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance.

Re-established as a result of Chancellor Austin A. Lane’s Listening and Learning Tour, the ombudspersons serve as informal, independent, impartial and confidential resources to assist faculty, instructors and staff in reaching resolution of non-contractual concerns and disputes. While ombudspersons will respond to issues, they do not replace formal campus dispute resolutions processes, said Marc E. Morris, interim associate provost for academic administration and a professor in the School of Accountancy.

“Dr. Kibby and Ms. Foster will help employees understand what their next step may be in a given situation,” he said, “or they may connect employees to the right office or person to ensure their questions or concerns are addressed in timely manner.”

Kibby’s has been with SIU Carbondale since 2004 and is a fellow within the National Academy of Neuropsychology. She has served two Faculty Senate terms, including serving on the Executive Council during her second term. She also was selected to be part of the university’s inaugural cohort of the L.E.A.D. SIU Carbondale Initiative (Leading, Empowering, Advocating and Developing) and has served as the director of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Kibby will assist faculty who come to her in understanding their rights under university policies, bylaws and CBA. She also will help connect them with the appropriate office or person on campus to address their needs. Kibby has a background in clinical psychology. Kibby’s appointment begins July 1, and contact information will be provided at a later time.

Foster began working at SIU Carbondale in November 2011, and in September 2015, she joined the Office of Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance. Her responsibilities include responding to contacts from the campus community, unions and outside individuals regarding labor and employee-related issues. In October 2021, Foster was given ombudsperson responsibilities for dealing with civil service and administrative/professional staff concerns. She will aide employees in understanding their rights under the appropriate university policy, collective bargaining agreement or staff council bylaws. She also provides direction to campus supervisors for disciplinary and performance improvement plan documents and coordinates the civil service and A/P performance evaluation process. Foster can be reached at lafoster@siu.edu or 618-453-6671.