What an Ombuds Does

Meet Your Campus Troubleshooter - The Chronicle of Higher Education article

What an Ombuds Does

Responses are tailored to the individual’s situation and informed consent, so an Ombuds (gender-neutral Swedish term) may:

• Listen to your concerns and questions
• Offer information about Stony Brook University policies and procedures
• Discuss your concerns and clarify all the issues
• Help identify and evaluate a range of options for resolving a problem
• Gather information and offer referrals to other resources
• Empower individuals to work through conflict or challenging situations
• Offer coaching, for example, to help you prepare for a difficult conversation
• Facilitate communication, indirectly or through shuttle diplomacy
• Work for collaborative agreements through informal mediation
• Track perceived issues and trends
• Make recommendations for institutional improvements
• Provide educational information and training on communication, conflict management and civility, etc.

Issues You Can Discuss with the Ombuds

• Academic issues
• Interpersonal difficulties
• Harassment or discrimination
• Untangling a complicated situation
• Violations of University policy or conduct codes
• Workplace disputes
• Ethical dilemmas
• Conflicts of interest
• Disciplinary matters
• Research misconduct
• Incivility or rudeness
• Health and safety concerns
• Academic freedom
• Protecting your reputation
• Threats or retaliation
• Policy and procedural concerns
• Housing concerns

What an Ombuds Does Not Do

• Maintain records that identify you after we’ve completed our work together
• Represent individuals in formal procedures
• Conduct or participate in formal investigations or processes
• Provide psychological counseling
• Offer legal advice
• Testify or gather evidence for formal administrative processes
• Advocate for individuals, groups or departments
• Establish, change, or set aside policies
• Serve as an office of record
• Make decisions or findings of fact