A University Ombud听is听defined as: 鈥渁 designated neutral who is appointed or employed by an organization to facilitate the informal resolution of concerns of employees, managers, students and, sometimes, external clients of the听organization.鈥�1. At the UW we听provide a confidential, informal, impartial and independent space for people to bring issues听and听problem solve.
1 Wesley, Margo, The听Compleat听Ombuds听A听Spectrum of Resolution Services, CPER Journal No. 166 (June 2004).听
The Office of the Ombud welcomes the听entire 乱伦社区 community*听across the three campuses and the medical enterprise. We provide a collaborative and confidential environment to discuss your situation, raise issues, consider your options, and develop a plan for the future.
*Patients of UW Medical Center visit the听听page for resources听
We provide a confidential, informal, impartial and independent space for people to bring issues听and听problem听solve.听听Our services are听different because听no听official process is initiated in speaking with our office. Ultimately,听you hold the keys to the听outcome听and听we partner with you to听navigate options.听We听serve听the entire UW community听(faculty/staff/students听on all 3 campuses and the medical centers)听and are familiar with听most听issues听raised at the University;听no issue is too big or too small.听听听
Yes, this meeting is for you and you can choose to share however much you want. While it may be helpful to share some specifics about your situation听in order for听us to be an effective thought听partner,听we respect your听choice听to disclose or not disclose information about who you are or your situation.听听
Our office听strives听to protect all client information and manages intake, emails, and any interactions in a way that is protective of our听client’s听situation.听The Office of the Ombud has听been supported by the 乱伦社区听as a confidential and unique space within the university since听its听inception in 1968.听
UW community members听are welcome to bring听any听concerns听arising from life at the 乱伦社区听to our office for guidance and support.听No problem听is听too big or too small.听Here are听examples听of some听of the听issues听brought to the Office of the Ombud.
Faculty Concerns
- Relationships with colleagues or administrators
- Relationships with听undergraduate/graduate听students
- Relationships with staff
- Diversity and inclusion concerns
- Tenure, promotion or reviews
- Salary inequity
- Policies and听procedures
- Quality of instruction
- Scientific misconduct
- Space/resource allocations
- Authorship concerns
- Conflict of Interest
- Bullying/incivility
- Disability听accommodations
Staff Concerns
- Concerns with a supervisor/someone you听supervise
- Diversity and inclusion concerns
- Relationships with colleagues or administrators
- Relationships with faculty
- Workplace听mistreatment
- Sexual harassment
- Discriminatory treatment
- Evaluations, promotions,听reclassifications
- Salary inequity
- Discipline or termination
- Lay-off rights
- Benefits
- Misconduct
- Conflict of Interest
- Bullying/incivility
- Disability听accommodations
Student Concerns
- Communication with Faculty or Staff
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Issues with learning environment
- Relationship with听advisor(s)
- Authorship
- RA/TA appointments
- Disability accommodations
- Grade concerns
- Financial aid
- Misconduct听(Academic or Behavioral)
- Sexual harassment/Title听IX
- Registration
- Graduate student program听progress
Clients can now schedule appointments with University Ombud directly on the听Schedule an听appointment听page of our website.听We meet with people in person*, by phone or by听Zoom.听If you are unable to find a time that works with your schedule you can听email听ombuds@uw.edu听or call 206.543.6028 and we will work to find a time that is听convenient听for you.
*Please note that appointments made online default to zoom or phone. If you want to meet in person, please email or call after scheduling.听
You will generally choose an Ombud based on what community you belong to (faculty, staff, student) but you are also welcome to specifically request whomever you feel most comfortable meeting with. Please visit Meet our team听page to learn a bit more about our Ombuds.听
For Students:
- Student Consultation: New student client and/or meeting about a new matter. (60 min)
- Student Consultation for Groups or Complex Cases:听A new student听client with a detailed/complex concern or if you are a group of students interested in meeting with the office. (90 min)
- Request Student Outreach (presentation/training/workshop): Requesting a brief student group outreach consultation from the Ombud to present on the role of the office, services, and/or skill-based training. Please email the office.(30 min)
- If your situation does not clearly fall under any of these categories, please select the student consultation or contact the office.
For Faculty/Staff:
- Faculty/Staff Consultation:听New faculty/staff client and/or meeting about a new matter. (90 min)
- Faculty/Staff Referral Consult:听Seeking a brief consult on how to refer a potential faculty or staff client and/or needing a general overview of the services we provide. (30 minutes)
- Request Faculty/Staff Outreach (presentation/training/workshop): Requesting a brief faculty/staff group outreach consultation from the Ombud to present on the role of the office, services, and/or skill-based training. Please email the office. (30 min)
- If your situation does not clearly fall under any of these categories (for example, you are looking for a mediation, conciliation or facilitation), please select the听faculty/staff consultation.
Yes, you can听refer someone听to our office. For more information on how to do this and what to expect听visit听the听Make a referral听page of our website.听Please feel free to share the link to our website with them.听
For more information on what to expect in your first appointment with an Ombud visit the听What to expect听page of our website.听
Our goal is for听clients to leave their appointment feeling empowered to take action to solve their issue or concern. Sometimes follow-up appointments are necessary听but generally we recommend that clients only come to our office a few times for the same issue. In our sessions we will help to identify goals and next steps听to arm you with the resources you need听to address your concern.听
Yes, you are welcome听to bring听someone along with you if you believe that their participation will help you share your story fully. Please keep in mind the discussion will be听focused听on your experience and our hope is that your support person/s听will assume a supportive role in the听discussion听to allow you ample space and time to share your听experience.
If other听people will听be joining听you,听please indicate this in听the 鈥�Are you a group of more than 2? If so, how many?鈥�听field of听your Booking appointment.听
You are welcome to book your appointment as either individuals or a group. If you have听a听largely shared听experience,听then it may make the most sense to meet as a group so that we can gather听information and consider options together. However, if your perspective on the situation is unique, or there is information that听you would not want to share in front of others, please schedule an听individual听appointment so that we have ample time to focus on your experience and goals.
If other you are a听group听please indicate this in the 鈥�Are you a group of more than 2? If so, how many?鈥�听field of听your Booking appointment.听
When you make an appointment with our office, we will send you a Zoom link to your meeting the morning of your appointment. If you would听prefer听your appointment to be over the phone just let us know.听听