The Ombuds Office serves as a confidential resource for faculty, staff and students in the School of Pharmacy. * It is independent of existing administrative or academic structures and supplements existing resources. The ombuds can provide a comfortable, confidential environment for conflict management where interpersonal and professional difficulties can be aired - a safe forum to voice concerns, evaluate a situation, express feelings, prioritize important issues relevant to your dilemma, and develop strategies. The ombuds will treat all matters confidentially wtihin the bounds of the law. Your privacy will be respected.
What does the ombuds do?
- Provide a comfortable, confidential environment for students, staff and faculty to air concerns
- Work with people to develop options for resolving their concerns or complaints
- Open channels of communication
- Serve as an intermediary or mediator for conflict management
- Seek fair and equitable solutions to problems
What powers does the ombuds have?
- As an impartial 3rd party, ask questions and, upon request, mediate management of conflicts
- With permission, bring issues to the attention of those with authority to address concerns
- Persuade in decision-making
- Report systemic issues to the Dean and other leaders with recommendations for resolution
Categories of concerns ombuds may review:
- Career Progression & Development
- Employee Compensation & Benefits
- Evaluative / Academic Relationships
- Legal, Regulatory, Financial & Compliance
- Organizational, Strategic & Mission Related
- Peer & Colleague Relationships
- Safety, Health & Physical Environment
- Services & Administrative Issues
- Values, Ethics & Standards
* The Ombuds Office also serves the School of Medicine and Public Health where the role was established in 1998. In addition, a campus Office of Ombuds for Faculty and Staff, with four emeritus faculty and staff working part time and sharing the duties of the office, serve faculty and staff from across the university community. Ombuds share a common goal of creating safe and accessible places to informally facilitate dialogue and resolve conflict. Ombuds work independently from University administrative offices; discussing a matter with am ombuds is confidential and does not constitute a notice to the University.