What Guides Us
We operate according to the principles of The International Ombuds Association.
Independence: The ombuds reports to the President of the college only and is independent of any college administrative structure.
Impartiality: The Office of the Ombuds is not an advocacy office. The ombuds does not advocate for an individual or for the college, it advocates for fairness. The goal is to ensure all processes are fair and equitable to all parties.
Informality: The ombuds actively listens, provides information to help solve problems and seeks to understand and find a solution to concerns related to the workplace. An ombuds does not participate in any formal grievance process.
Confidentiality: Any conversation with the ombuds is confidential. Any information shared concerning any visit will not be disclosed to anyone without the visitor’s permission.
The term “ombuds” has an interesting background: "an official appointed to investigate complaints by individuals against institutions or authorities," 1959, from Swedish ombudsman, literally "commission man."
It is derived from om (meaning around) + bod (meaning command but ultimately from bheudh meaning awareness) + man (meaning man); bheudh is also the root of “forbid” and “Buddha!”
“Ombuds” is often used instead of “ombudsman” as a short, non-gendered term, but “ombudsperson” and “Ombudswoman” are sometimes heard as well.