Ombuds FAQs
Ombuds FAQs
Who can access the PC Faculty Ombuds resource?
Any member of the PC faculty, regardless of title, position, department, or status.
What issues or concerns can I bring to the PC Faculty Ombuds?
Faculty may bring any issue or concern to discuss with the Ombuds. Examples may include assistance with appointments and hiring; research/ownership of data; academic dishonesty; conflict with student; course assignments; departmental politics; conflict with colleague; disability issues; Faculty Code of Conduct; harassment; discrimination, and promotion and compensation.
When should I contact the Ombuds?
Anytime. You may speak to the Ombuds before, during, or after formal action is taken or outside of any formal processes whatsoever. Individuals often find it helpful to explore positions, options, and strategies with the Ombuds confidentially before taking more formal steps. You do not need to exhaust other resources before approaching the Ombuds.
How long do meetings last?
The Ombuds schedules visitor meetings in one-hour slots but can plan ahead for longer sessions whenever needed.
I am aware that the Ombuds meets periodically with members of the administration; will she share information about me if I visit her?
Absolutely not. The Ombuds reports to the Office of the President, via the provost, in one way only – with anonymized and aggregated data. The reports never mention names, departments, or other identifying characteristics. The goal of the reporting is to harmonize perspectives across stakeholders.
What happens to records about my visit?
As a matter of policy, the Ombuds takes few if any notes about visitor interactions. Any notes that are taken as memory aids are shredded when the matter is resolved or within a short period of inactivity. The Ombuds does not retain any information that would identify the individuals who availed themselves of the office.
What makes the Ombuds different from other resources at PC?
The Ombuds office is situated outside of the management structure at PC and reports directly to the president of PC (via the provost) for administrative and budgetary purposes. The Ombuds office can function independently and impartially, in part, because it is not operationally connected to any other office.
The Ombuds Office also provides a very strict promise of confidentiality, which allows you to have off-the-record conversations about highly sensitive concerns.
