Members of the ombuds team will:
- Listen carefully to understand issues of concern from the client’s perspective
- Discuss relevant School and University policies and procedures
- Assist in identifying options to undertake moving forward
- Work with individuals to determine interests of involved parties to assist in framing concerns productively
- Offer guidance related to raising concerns with relevant parties
- Provide informal mediation support
- Bring urgent concerns to the attention of the Dean while maintaining client anonymity
- Partner with relevant University resources to develop or advance initiatives to prevent problems and enhance professionalism across the school
- Bring systemic issues to the attention of the Dean and other members of senior leadership and advocate for policy review and changes
- Advocate for full and equitable treatment of concerns by faculty, staff and students
Members of the ombuds office will not:
- Behave in ways that may compromise neutrality
- Participate in formal investigations or resolution processes
- Make binding decisions or create policies
- Provide detailed reports beyond general trends
