What is an Ombuds?
An ombuds is someone who helps people and groups resolve conflicts. As implemented at UNLV, the Ombuds serves as a designated neutral who facilitates the informal resolution of interpersonal and institutional concerns and conflicts
What does the Ombuds do?
The Ombuds first and foremost, listens. The Ombuds may help parties reconsider or reframe an issue, may refer to formal avenues of conflict resolution, or identify opportunities for systemic change. The Ombuds may discuss options for how individuals can better give voice to their concerns.
As a mediator, the Ombuds and those conducting mediation services under the authority of the Ombuds Office provide a place for parties with a conflict to explore solutions in a voluntary, informal process.
Specifically, the Ombuds can:
- Listen to visitors’ concerns
- Help visitors analyze and understand problems
- Help visitors evaluate their options
- Clarify NSHE, UNLV, and other applicable policies
- Discuss informal conflict resolution strategies
- Coordinate structured, voluntary, informal mediation
- If appropriate, refer visitors to other campus resources
What doesn’t the Ombuds do?
- Accept notice of claims against the university
- Decide who is right or wrong in a dispute
- Predict what others will or won’t do
- Tell visitors what to do
- Advocate for any individual personally
- Overrule decisions made by administrators, supervisors, or managers
- Investigate wrongdoings
- Punish or recommend punishments
- Add to, alter, or delete any federal, NSHE, UNLV, or unit policies and regulations
How is the Ombuds different from other offices at UNLV?
The Ombuds Office is unique at UNLV in that it and its staff are designated neutrals, meaning that they do not show preference or advocacy for any one group of employees, or the university administration. The office is informal, meaning that employees and students can discuss their concerns without triggering a disciplinary or investigatory process. And, as an independent unit, the Ombuds Office and its staff are fully autonomous in their operations. Finally, use of the office is confidential.
Is the Ombuds Confidential?
Any communication with the Ombuds is considered confidential to the extent permitted by law. No one can disclose, without express permission, that a visitor contacted the office or the content of your communication.
Both UNLV and those bringing their concerns to the Ombuds agree at the outset that they will not ask the Ombuds to testify in any internal or external proceeding.
Because communications to the Ombuds are confidential, any information disclosed to the Ombuds does not constitute notice to UNLV of any potential claims.
If the Ombuds is independent, does anyone give the office feedback?
Anyone who has visited the Ombuds Office can provide anonymous feedback on their visit using . In addition, the Ombuds Advisory Panel, which is composed of representatives of several campus constituencies, regularly provides the Ombuds with feedback about the effectiveness of the office.