FACULTY OMBUDS Renee Smith Kimbel Library 210 843-349-2727 By appointment Virtual and in-person meetings available.
STAFF OMBUDS John Dooley Kimbel Library 210 843-349-2209 Office Hours Tue/Wed/Thurs 8:00-4:30 Virtual and in-person meetings available.
When you have a problem or complaint and wish to talk informally through options with someone not directly involved
When you are not sure what to do or who to talk with within the University community
When you want to know more about University policies and how to understand them
When you feel your problem has not been heard
When you want to learn ways of resolving conflict on your own
What we do
Listen to your concerns and questions
Help you identify underlying issues
Identify and explore options and next steps
Discuss resolution strategies
Provide another—and an impartial—perspective
Help you prepare for a difficult conversation with another person
Facilitate difficult conversations as an impartial third party
Help open avenues of communication
Suggest resources and make referrals to appropriate resources
Assist in sorting through why communications you’ve tried may have broken down, and offer some ways to address the situation
Provide coaching
Gather more information about your situation, when you ask
Track patterns of perceived challenges on campus, while maintaining confidentiality
Suggest strategies for addressing systemic issues present on campus as appropriate
What we don't do
Do NOT maintain records (paper nor electronic) that identify you as a visitor
Do NOT represent individuals in formal procedures
Do NOT conduct or participate in formal investigations or processes
Do NOT formally and/ or professionally adjudicate, arbitrate or mediate issues (although we may use mediation strategies for shuttle diplomacy)
Do NOT make binding decisions
Do NOT provide professional psychological counseling or legal advice or services
Do NOT testify or gather evidence for formal administrative processes
Do NOT advocate for individuals or departments (we advocate for a fair process)
Do NOT revise or rescind any policies, rules or procedures
Do NOT serve as an office of record or an agent of notice for the University
Types of issues we explore
Interpersonal conflict or difficulties; supervisor-supervisee conflicts and colleague relations; a troubling evaluation or assessment
Issue clarification or untangling a complicated situation; competing perspectives or agendas; misunderstandings based on cultural perspectives
Confusion about a University policy, or the perception that a policy has been applied unfairly; uncertainty about what department or office could assist you; information about formal processes for resolving your concerns
Ethical issues and CCU values, instances of misconduct or unprofessional conduct
Perceived retaliation or fear of retaliation: fear of coming forward or of acting to stop unacceptable behavior
Perceived unfair treatment, harassment, discrimination, abuse of power, bullying
Career/personal coaching: help writing a reference, evaluation, commendation, a letter of concern, or responses
Improving communications: assistance with difficult conversations in performance appraisal or disciplinary action; help to move beyond a perceived impasse in a work relationship; information about formal processes for resolving your concerns
Health and safety concerns at the workplace
Suggestions for improvement at CCU
Identifying strategies for overcoming interpersonal barriers in the workplace; working conditions, campus cultural changes