PULLMAN, Wash. – Professor Cathryn (Cathy) Claussen recently accepted the position of Washington State University faculty ombudsman. She replaces Ray Jussaume, who left WSU for a job as chair of the Department of Sociology at Michigan State University. Claussen was elected chair of the WSU Faculty Senate for 2011-12; however, she resigned to serve as ombudsman. Max Kirk, who was chair last year, is interim chair.
“The decision was a hard one, but I took the ombudsman position because it is a more long term opportunity to help faculty, staff and students,” Claussen said. Ombudsmen neutrally investigate complaints and mediate issues between faculty, staff and students within WSU.
“I am excited about the ombudsman position. We have already started handling cases,” Claussen said.
She said she plans to attend WSU Faculty Senate meetings to keep up on issues.
Claussen received her B.S. in physical education from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; her M.A. in physical education from the University of Iowa and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. She is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology, where she is program and internship coordinator for the Sport Management Program.
She is an authority in sport law, with particular expertise in constitutional and civil rights. Her research focuses on discrimination and First Amendment issues in sport.
She was recognized as WSU Woman of the Year in 2011. She serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Legal Aspects of Sport and has been president of the Sport & Recreation Law Association.