Ombuds Office
The Ombuds Office is a confidential, impartial, independent, and informal resource for faculty, staff, and administrators at Davidson College. The office offers a place to discuss concerns, clarify options, and consider constructive ways of responding to a wide range of workplace and institutional issues.
The Ombuds Office is a voluntary resource that supplements, but does not replace, the College’s formal offices and processes. The office is guided by the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of the International Ombuds Association (IOA).
What the Ombuds Does
- Provides a confidential place to discuss concerns and difficult situations
- Listens carefully, helps clarify and prioritize issues, and helps identify options
- Offers coaching and support in preparing for difficult conversations
- Helps visitors better understand College policies, procedures, and available resources
- Refers visitors to other offices or formal channels when appropriate
- Facilitates dialogue and facilitated discussions when helpful
- Supports informal conflict resolution efforts
- Works with groups and teams on conflict management in a voluntary, informal, and impartial capacity
- Consults with College leaders about broad themes, patterns, and systemic concerns using non-identifying aggregate information
- Offers input that may help reduce confusion, address recurring concerns, and strengthen institutional fairness
Concerns You May Wish to Discuss
Visitors may come to the Ombuds Office to talk through a wide range of concerns, including interpersonal tensions, communication difficulties, workplace or departmental conflict, questions about climate or culture, concerns about fairness or respect, uncertainty about how to raise an issue, or confusion about available options and resources, among many other matters that arise in the life of the institution.
What the Ombuds Does Not Do
- Make decisions for anyone
- Conduct formal investigations
- Participate in formal grievance or complaint processes
- Put the college on formal, legal, or administrative notice
- Serve as an advocate for any party
- Offer legal advice
- Keep permanent identifying records of visitor communications
- Adjudicate disputes or impose outcomes
- Change college rules, policies, or management decisions
- Provide psychological counseling
The Ombuds Office is guided by the core principles of confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and informality.