Faculty Ombuds at Puget Sound

The faculty ombuds adheres by the following principles:

• Independence: the faculty ombuds is not linked to other offices on campus and does not have authority delegated from the faculty senate or the administration to take any action or to receive official complaints. The ombuds’ role is to listen and discuss work-related conflicts, to investigate university policy in ways that don’t compromise confidentiality, and to offer relevant information.
• Neutrality: the faculty ombuds does not take sides and attempts to see the perspective of those contacting the office so as to be able to provide relevant information. The ombuds doesn’t side with the faculty governance structure, with the administration, or with any specific person. The ombuds will listen to concerns and goals, help think through them, and/or find avenues to pursue in order to seek resolution.
• Confidentiality: all communications with the faculty ombuds are confidential. The ombuds reports to the faculty senate on general trends but only in ways that do not allow for identifying information to be made public. The ombuds serves as a confidential support person for faculty in the sexual harassment policy (see the information under Privileged Campus Resources in the Title IX Resources page.)
• Informality: the ombuds is not an avenue for formal complaints. No action will be taken as a result of contacting the ombuds. If interested, the ombuds can help to find the proper avenue for initiating formal complaints.

Note: The principles listed above are adapted from the International Ombuds Association Standard of Practice