The Faculty Ombudsperson

The faculty ombudsperson is an impartial and confidential resource to assist faculty in resolving problems, complaints, conflicts, and other issues.  The ombudsperson’s ultimate goal is to assist faculty in finding equitable, just, and timely resolutions to problems.  As a neutral resource, the ombudsperson does not take sides; instead, he/she attempts to address issues in an impartial and objective manner.

What does an ombudsperson specifically do?

Listens carefully to your complaint or problem

Responds to your requests for information

Informally investigates your complaint or problem

Helps you identify and evaluate options and strategies for solving your problem

Opens channels of communication

Helps mediate a resolution to your problem

Identifies, clarifies, and interprets University policies and procedures

Refers you to appropriate campus resources

Recommends changes in University policies or procedures that are unfair, outdated, or ineffective

What doesn’t an ombudsperson do?

Represent you formally in a grievance procedure

Provide you legal advice or legal representation

Address a non-University related problem or complaint

Intervene in a formal grievance procedure

Overturn decisions by University officials

Advocate for you (i.e., assume a non-neutral role)

When should I contact the ombudsperson?  When:

You don’t know where to turn or who to talk to about a University problem

You need to have a confidential discussion about a work-related problem

You feel a University policy or procedure has been unfairly applied to you

You need more information about faculty rights and University policies and procedures

You need help in facilitating a resolution to a work-related problem

You need help in communicating or negotiating with other faculty, staff, or University administrators

You want to know your options for solving a work-related problem

You prefer to resolve a dispute in an informal manner

You want to know what University resources are available to you

Who do I contact when I need the faculty ombudsperson?

Three persons serve as ombudspersons, each serving a staggered three year term. One ombudsperson is elected each year conjunction with the Faculty Senate election. For the list of current ombudspersons, see the Faculty Senate homepage, or contact the Faculty Senate President. For conditions of service as Faculty Ombudspersons, see Article II, Section 10 of the Faculty Senate By-Laws.