Services are available to all faculty at all academic ranks associated with all Ohio State campuses.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about the office of the faculty ombudsperson and the duties performed by the ombudsperson
No. Undergraduate should contact the Student Advocacy Center, Office of Student Life, and graduate students should contact the graduate and professional student ombud. Staff should contact their local Human Resources person. Ohio State has available a Mediation Service for faculty associates.
- Listens to you
- Answers your questions
- Analyzes your situation
- Explains policies and procedures
- Provides information and advice
- Explores possible solutions
- Suggests appropriate referrals
- Assists in pursuing a resolution
- Informally mediates a dispute where appropriate
- Apprises the administration of significant trends
- Recommends changes in policies and procedures
A faculty member should contact the faculty ombud when they:
- need to have a confidential discussion about a university related problem
- feel a policy or procedure has been unfairly applied to you
- need information about faculty rights and university policies and procedures
- need help in facilitating a resolution to a work-related problem
- need help communicating with other faculty or university administrators
- want to know your options for solving a work-related problem
- prefer to resolve a dispute in an informal manner
- want to know what university resources are available to you
- Advocate for you, i.e., assume a non-neutral role
- Represent you in a grievance procedure
- Address a non-university related problem or complaint
- Intervene in a formal grievance procedure
- Overturn decisions by university officials
- Provide legal advice or legal representation
The faculty ombud has no formal authority. However, they can mediate and negotiate settlements in disputes. The faculty ombud may identify systemic conflicts, bringing to the administration’s attention those practices, policies and aspects of Ohio State culture that appear to exacerbate tensions or create problems for faculty.
The faculty ombud is not part of the Ohio State administration. They are free from any influence in addressing issues and resolving conflicts. The fact that faculty ombud works outside of the official channels means a person can raise a concern without bringing it as a formal complaint.
No. The faculty ombud may take notes to be sure of a comprehensive understanding of the issues. These notes and any documents that may be provided are shredded after consultation is complete. The faculty ombudsman’s notes are not subject to open records requests. The faculty ombud keeps only statistical data and does not keep names in a database.
Informal mediation is a voluntary meeting of disputing parties in which they attempt to reach their own solution with the help of the faculty ombud.
Some benefits of mediation include:
- Parties choose their own solution; no arbitrator imposes a decision
- You can work to seek common interests, rather than bringing or defending against charges of wrongdoing or violations of Ohio State policy
- You have flexibility to reach creative solutions that a grievance or other formal proceedings may not allow
No. The use of these services is strictly optional.
Appointments can be arranged by telephone or email. Please do not include confidential information in an email.