Guiding Principles
The Faculty and Staff Ombuds is guided by the Ombuds office Charter and established by the .
Independence
The Ombuds is not affiliated with any university compliance function. For administrative and budgetary purposes, the Faculty and Staff Ombuds reports to the Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, and the Associate VP, People and Culture. The Ombuds will, however, exercise sole discretion of whether and how to act regarding individual matters or systemic concerns.
Neutrality
The Ombuds does not “take sides” or advocate for any faculty or staff visitor or for the university or departments or groups within the university. The ombudsperson is also neutral about the outcome of a visit and will not make decisions about what actions a visitor should take.
Informality
Visiting the Ombuds is always voluntary and informal; it does not trigger any formal process (e.g., a formal grievance). If you wish to begin a formal process, the Ombuds will provide information about how to do so. Visiting the Ombuds does NOT affect any timelines or deadlines associated with formal processes.
The Ombuds does not provide services for a situation while a formal union grievance process is occurring but may be of assistance before or after such processes.
Confidentiality
The Ombuds does not keep records of what was said or who has visited and will not reveal this information without permission unless an exception to confidentiality applies. The support staff to the Ombuds is also bound by this confidentiality.
Exceptions to Confidentiality
The Ombuds cannot maintain confidentiality when the Ombuds determines that there is an imminent threat of serious harm or as required by university policy or state or federal law.