The Ombuds Office adheres to the International Ombudsman Association鈥檚 Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, which require the Ombuds Office to be independent, impartial, informal and confidential.聽
Independence
The Ombuds Office is not aligned with any particular departmental unit.聽The Ombuds Office is not authorized to receive notice of claims against the university聽nor are ombuds mandatory reporters for purposes of Title IX.
Impartiality
The Ombuds Office is not an advocate for any party to a dispute.聽Ombuds are impartial third-party neutrals.
Ombuds consider the interests and concerns of all parties involved with the purpose of achieving a fair and equitable outcome.
Informality
Ombuds shall not participate in any formal investigations or other formal process of any kind.
The Ombuds Office is off-the-record.聽
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is the cornerstone of an Ombuds Office. Communications with the Ombuds Office are deemed confidential. By using our services, office visitors agree not to record conversations, call members of our office to testify聽or seek information from our office with respect to confidential communication in any litigation, investigation聽or internal or external proceedings.聽The ombuds may disclose confidential information if, in the sole discretion of the ombuds, there is an imminent risk of serious harm to the visitor or another person.聽