Faculty Ombudsperson

The Role of the Ombudsperson

The Office of the Ombudsperson is a resource for all TWU faculty members and professional librarians who have a problem or concern related to their work at the university.

• Confidentiality
• Neutrality
• Independence
• Informality

The Ombudsperson provides:

• Consultation
• Informal conflict management
• Dispute resolution
• Advocacy for fair treatment for all faculty members
• Advocacy for fair process for the institution as a whole

The Ombudsperson operates independently of other campus offices and resources, and is not part of the traditional, formalized hierarchy of the university.

The Ombudsperson observes trends on campus and reports these trends to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.

About the Ombudsperson

The Faculty Ombudsperson provides informal, impartial support and/or guidance to faculty members struggling with issues such as:

• Annual performance
• Evaluation feedback
• Tenure/promotion decisions
• Departmental conflict

The Ombudsperson has the skills to listen carefully and compassionately, to think clearly and objectively, and to generate possible options and solutions in order to meet the complex challenges some faculty members face over the course of their professional careers.

Additional information on standards of practice for the role of Ombudsperson is available from the International Ombudsperson Association.