Common Questions About Nominations and Serving as an Ombuds

Q How does one apply to be a UA Ombuds?

The Call for Nominations to members of the university community is published in December, with nominatons closing in mid-January.

Q Are nominations submitted by peers or supervisors given more consideration than self-nominations?

No. Most often a nominee can express interests and desires to serve as an Ombuds better than someone else. However, knowing that you have your supervisor's approval and support is helpful. Appointees must obtain a written acknowledgement from their supervisor that they will be given release time to attend mandatory training and tend to ombuds matters.

Q If appointed, what are the time requirements?

Training:

New Ombuds are required to attend an orientation and introduction to ombudsing that is usually held before the beginning of the fall semester. Ombuds must also attend a mandatory one-day workshop focusing on skills and techniques used in mediation in the fall.

Brownbag luncheon meetings are held throughout the year to continue to network with fellow Ombuds, continue to develop skills, and introduce Ombuds to additional resources.

Ombuds are encouraged to attend additional workshops to become more aware of issues relating to cultural competency and other UA workshops that will increase your knowledge of campus resources, policies and procedures.

Ombudsing:

Appointees cannot assist a caller in their capacity as an Ombuds until they have attended New Ombuds Orientation.

One of the reasons the UA has an Ombuds Committee is to be able to offer a broader range of experience and diversity as to gender, race and classification. Classification includes student classification or employee classification. We also respect that students and employees are serving as volunteers, in addition to attending classes or their regular job duties. Calls for Ombuds assistance are a priority, but we all have "crunch" times, when a matter can be referred to a more-readily available Ombuds.

The Program Director matches the type of situation to an Ombuds whose experience will enable them to give the caller the most efficient and effective options, and an Ombuds that does not have a conflict of interest.

Q How many openings are there on the Committee?

There are not a specific number of openings. The Committee membership represents a broad and diverse structure. Personnel or student classification, gender, ethnicity, location on campus, and a representation of vast knowledge and experience of campus policies and procedures are assessed.

Final selections consider interest in serving and qualifications, but ultimately, the overall structure must provide the aforementioned broad diversity in order to efficiently and effectively address a wide variety of issues.

We receive many outstanding nominations. The fact that a nominee is not selected is not a reflection of their qualifications or recommendations.