Ombudsperson Principles

• The ombudsperson will function independently of all university offices and will promote the value of fairness, equity, justice and mutual respect.
• The ombudsperson will assist in resolving concerns or problems related to issues of faculty rights and responsibilities.
• To the extent permitted by law, conversations with the ombudsperson will be kept confidential except where there appears to be imminent risk of serious harm, where harassment or other illegal activity may be involved, and where there is no reasonable option.
• Meeting with the ombudsperson is an informal and off-the-record process; and as such the ombudsperson will not become involved with the normal operations of the grievance or complaint process or disciplinary procedures.

Appointment and selection process

• The ombudsperson’s term is three years with unlimited renewals by the Faculty Senate.
• The ombudsperson will be chosen during the Spring semester and duties will commence at the beginning of the next academic year.
• Candidates will apply at the Faculty Senate office.
• The faculty ombudsperson will be appointed by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee.
• The ombudsperson can be removed from the position at any time by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee.

Qualifications

• Full tenured professor or an emeritus professor.
• Experience in university governance at UWO.
• Familiarity with UWO Faculty and Academic Staff Handbook.
• Ability to work well with people across the University.
• Cannot serve on the Faculty Senate Exec, any college-level renewal and tenure committee, or any other committee that might be perceived as causing a conflict of interest, while holding the ombudsperson position.
• Willing to attend training sessions, professional conferences,

Duties

• (a) In cases of conflict between faculty members and students or non-faculty campus personnel, the ombudsperson will advise and advocate for the fair representation of faculty members’ rights and concerns.
• (b) In cases of conflict between individual faculty members, the ombudsperson will serve as an impartial facilitator and neutral agent representing neither the university administration nor any individual.
• In both cases (a) and (b) above, act as a confidential and informal resource for information.
• Direct faculty to appropriate offices, committees, and university rules, grievance procedures and policies.
• Foster communication between members of the campus community.
• Assure that appropriate department, college, and/or campus procedures are exhausted before referring the case to higher levels.
• File an annual report with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee outlining the number of cases, the types of issues raised and the positions involved (not specific cases), making recommendations for changing processes to make them more effective, and evaluating the operation of the Ombudsperson role.