About
Welcome to Cal Caucus
California Caucus of College and University Ombuds. Cal Caucus. CCCUO. By whatever name you hear us call ourselves, we hope you’ll believe us when we say we’re ready to welcome you.
For over five decades, ombuds from universities, colleges, and research institutions have met to learn and reflect together, and be renewed. While many of us connect with each other regularly, our fall Caucus is the highlight of our year. Each year, workshops are grounded in the work of Cal Caucus members, other ombuds from across the practice spectrum, and esteemed colleagues from related fields.
The peaceful and beautiful setting of Asilomar on the Monterey Peninsula continues to deepen our collaboration. Don’t let our name fool you: we meet in California and we are proud of our California roots, yet our reach has become national and international, with attendees coming from as far away as Australia in recent years.
50 Years of Service
Cal Caucus is the oldest US professional organization for ombuds in post-secondary education. We have the deepest sense of gratitude and respect for our three visionary founders, Don Hartsock, Bill Schatz, and Geoffrey Wallace. We believe it’s no coincidence the organization they founded over five decades ago still serves ombuds learning, reflection, and renewal
If you have been lucky enough to know them or have read about them in our Journals, you know it’s their wisdom, heart, integrity, and commitment to other-centered thoughtful listening that signify the qualities we think represent Cal Caucus at its best. Those qualities infuse our gathering, and we think they’re why a dedicated group of ombuds consistently volunteer throughout the year to keep us going.
Find Community
At Caucus, you will find numerous opportunities to learn from each other in sessions and thoughtful conversation, with a distinctive intimate feel which allows for new and strengthened connections with other ombuds. We think that is what really sets us apart. We hope you’ll want to know more about us from what you see here.