Role of the Ombuds

• Listen to concerns and complaints and discuss appropriate options.
• Be an information resource.
• Help to provide options and processes.
• Provide informal assistance in handling options and general concerns.
• Provide a safe, neutral place to discuss concerns and options.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Help clarify university policies and procedures.
• Refer students to appropriate campus (or medical center) resources.
• Recommend changes in university policies and procedures.

Why Use an Ombuds

• Neutral
• Confidential
• Private
• Impartial

When to Use an Ombuds

• When you don't know where to go for help.
• When you are reluctant to use normal channels for assistance.
• When you don't know the proper procedure to resolve a concern.

What Does the Ombuds Not Do?

• Advocate for the university or the student.
• Determine guilt of any party in a dispute.
• Replace any official university office, department or process.
• Adjudicate or participate in formal university grievances.
• Overturn decisions made by other university officials.
• Act as a student's advisor in judicial hearings or grievance processes.
• Assign sanctions on individuals.
• Provide legal advice.
• Get involved in any formal litigation or testify in court.
• Accept notice for the university.
• Keep records of students and/or conversation.

Note: The University complies with the Clery Act in all instances and follows proper reporting practices where necessary.

Ombuds Ethical Principles

Independence
The Ombuds is independent in structure, function and appearance to the highest degree possible within the organization.

Neutrality and impartiality
The Ombuds, as a designated neutral resource, remains unaligned and impartial. The Ombuds strives to promote procedural fairness in the content and administration of practices, processes and policies. The Ombuds does not engage in any situation which could create a conflict of interest.

Confidentiality
The Ombuds holds all communications with those seeking assistance in strict confidence and does not disclose confidential communications unless given permission to do so. The only exception to this privilege of confidentiality is where there appears to be imminent risk of serious harm.

Informality
The Ombuds, as an informal resource, does not participate in any formal adjudicative or administrative procedure related to concerns brought to his/her attention.

The Ombuds Office is a voluntary program and no one is required to use Ombuds services. If a student chooses to meet with the Ombuds, the student will be understood to have agreed to abide by these ethical principles, including agreeing not to call the Ombuds to testify with respect to confidential communications.

Note: These guidelines have been adapted from the International Ombuds Association (IOA) Code of Ethics.