|
The Office of the Ombudsman provides services with these goals in mind:
- Fostering respect across the university community
- Promoting and facilitating effective communication between constituents
- Promoting procedural fairness and equity
- Increasing retention of students, faculty and staff
- Saving administrative time
The nature of the Ombudsman's role is best characterized by the words independent, confidential, neutral and informal.
because services are provided outside the University's formal lines of authority - the Ombudsman is empowered to seek information as needed and to craft solutions toward the overall good when possible.
because no identifying records of interactions with visitors are kept, and no information is revealed unless the visitor feels that it would be in their interest to do so. The only exceptions to this are cases of sexual harassment, eminent harm, or illegal activity.
because the Ombudsman strives to understand all perspectives in a situation and seeks outcomes that balance the needs of individuals with the requirements of the institution.
because while the Ombudsman is empowered to work outside the lines of authority to invite cooperation, influence decisions and negotiate agreements, the office does not receive or act upon official complaints, grievances or legal matters.
The activities of the Office of the Ombudsman are:
- Maintain proactive interface with University individuals and entities such as HR, EAP, OUPD, Senates, Legal Affairs, and University leaders
- Communicate the services of the Ombudsman at campus events
- Recommend changes to policy and procedure as needed
- Alert our community to developing issues and concerns
- Attend to the concerns of visitors to the office
- Deliver organizational development initiatives
- Disseminate ‘snapshots’ of our community through activity reports
Please take a few moments to read our Activity Reports, which are available in PDF format (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - click here to download if you do not already have it installed):
|
