Cultivating fairness in our community

With a foundation in law, and a staunch belief in human rights, Shirley Nakata, UBC’s first Ombudsperson for Students, is advocating for the student voice, and encouraging us to broaden our understanding of the concept of ‘fairness’ as we know it.

Upon graduation from UBC, and armed with a law degree in her back pocket, Shirley spent several years as a human rights investigator. This experience not only provided her with a foundation and understanding of justice, but also confirmed her desire to work in the public interest and effect change at a policy level.

“I was very lucky to have grown up surrounded by strong and independent women in my life – it’s what solidified my belief in feminism,” says Shirley. “Over time, my interest in feminism inspired me to broaden my learning into other areas of social justice.”

Over time, my interest in feminism inspired me to broaden my learning into other areas of social justice.
Shirley Nakata

Shirley was hired in 2009 to establish the first Ombuds Office for Students at UBC Vancouver. In her role as Ombudsperson, she supports students’ individual capacity and confidence to resolve their complaints and other grievances that may arise with the university As an impartial and independent agent, and with a clear focus on equity and respect, she works to help ensure that students are treated fairly and feel supported during their time at UBC.

Although the jurisdiction of the Ombuds Office is for students, Shirley notes that her role indirectly extends to faculty and staff as well. Her team offers resources for faculty and staff who deal with students and make decisions that affect them. These resources include: training, workshops, best practices, and guidance in developing or revising policies that impact students directly.

In general, says Shirley, post-secondary institutions interpret and apply rules fairly, but are sometimes overly concerned about consistency that can tend towards rigidity. For her, fair rules, fair processes and fair decision-making are only part of the equation.

In her work with the Ombuds Office for Students, Shirley is helping to shine a light on a model of fairness that reflects values of compassion, community, and mutual accountability.

Shirley notes: “These students are part of our community – we must follow through with our promise to give them a respectful and inclusive experience at UBC.”

While being an Ombudsperson is first and foremost about being an advocate for fairness and effective conflict engagement, Shirley recognizes that the definition of fairness in our society at large poses an ongoing challenge.

“Fairness doesn’t mean sameness. It’s not a one-size-fits-all model,” she explains. “Fairness actually gives us a great deal of discretion and allows us to take into account our students’ individual circumstances.”

The creation of Shirley’s role within the Ombuds Office for Students signals UBC’s commitment to invest in someone with the expertise and knowledge to help our community better navigate complex issues. It also fosters a culture where values such as respect, diversity, and inclusion continue to thrive.

Shirley remarks: “I’m hoping to be part of a collective voice that helps inform the university and move it forward. Together, with ongoing discovery and growth, we have the potential to do something amazing.”

Written by Rivka Parris, UBC Internal Communications

I’m hoping to be part of a collective voice that helps inform the university and move it forward.
Shirley Nakata

More about the Ombuds Office for Students:

Ombuds services are confidential, impartial and independent. The UBC Ombudsperson reports to the President.
We want to empower students to identify their big goals and help them move forward
We listen to students without judgment or blame and encourage the exploration of options
We believe that well-supported faculty and staff are integral to students’ experience of fairness and respect at UBC
We work to identify gaps and make recommendations for systemic improvements that will impact students’ experience of fairness