Ombuds Services
Ombuds services are confidential, informal, and voluntary. All students, staff and faculty experiencing difficulties at the University may contact the Ombuds Office. The Ombuds Office will not reveal confidences and the identities of those who consult with this office without express permission to do so, with certain exceptions by law. The office keeps no records and has no institutional authority to make decisions on behalf of the University.
Consultation
The Ombuds can hear individual concerns and help sort out and identify options for resolving those concerns. The Ombuds can listen to the concern, identify the issues and provide options for resolving it, explore strategies, advise on procedures, provide coaching and rehearse approaches.
Intervention
As a trained and experienced mediator, coach, and facilitator, the Ombuds can provide various interventions that are tailored to meet the needs of the parties and situation. Some examples of interventions can include mediation, structured facilitated dialogue, conflict assessment, conflict coaching, or other third-party assistance, to help disputing parties resolve their differences in mutually satisfactory, do-able, and durable agreements.
Presentations & Training
The Ombuds welcomes opportunities to speak with individuals and groups about the Ombuds Office and its services. She can also provide workshops on communication, conflict prevention and conflict resolution skills upon request. The Ombuds office also has several workshops throughout the year, that are open to students, staff, and faculty. Use the link below to see upcoming workshops.
Confidential
The use of services provided by the Office of the Ombuds is voluntary and confidential.
All conversations with the Office of the Ombuds are confidential and off-the-record to the extent permitted by law. The Ombuds Office does not reveal confidences and the identities of those who consult with this office without express permission to do so except in accordance with the International Ombuds Association Standards of Practice (ex: where failure to disclose could result in imminent risk of serious harm to self or others). The Ombuds will not voluntarily participate as a witness, nor agree to be subpoenaed in any type of legal proceeding. The Ombuds Office does maintain non-identifying data to assess institutional trends.
Informal
The Ombuds Office has no institutional authority to make decisions on behalf of the University.
Speaking to the Ombuds Office about a concern does not constitute legal "notice" to the institution that a problem exists. This includes allegations of perceived violations of laws, regulations or policies, including harassment, discrimination, issues covered by the Whistleblower policy, or incidents subject to reporting under the Clery Act.
Anyone wishing to create a record or put the institution on notice may contact a relevant administrator, submit a report through the University鈥檚 ethics and compliance service at , or use formal grievance procedures.
The Ombuds can provide referral information about who to contact for anyone seeking to use administrative or formal grievance options, or for making official complaints to the University. The Ombuds cannot assist in any formal grievance processes or any type of sanctions.