Guidelines

An Ombuds can help you (faculty, academic professionals, administrative and classified staff, students and members of the public) deal with problems you might have with the University. We are here to provide an informal means of problem resolution if you have a University-related dispute. An Ombuds is not empowered to change a decision, but through intervention or a clarification of matters, information may emerge to assist in the resolution of the dispute. Give one of us a call if you need help!

The University of Arizona Ombuds Committee is made up of students and employees from all University areas, nominated by their peers and appointed by the President, to provide an informal means of problem resolution to University-related disputes.

People with problems, grievances, questions or complaints may contact any member of the Committee and ask that member to act as a facilitator on their behalf. Contacts are confidential and there is no fee.

Ombuds may provide information, direct the affected party to the appropriate resources, and, if needed, provide an informal means of problem resolution for individual employees, students, and members of the public who have problems, grievances, questions or complaints regarding the University. Ombuds are prepared to deal with many types of problems and may use informal mediation and/or other problem-solving techniques to facilitate communication and problem resolution between disputing parties.

If Ombuds intervention proves unsuccessful, and the parties proceed to formal hearing, the Ombuds will not disclose any matter discussed with either party. All information received by Ombuds is confidential. The Ombuds Program is not an office of record. Ombuds will not testify or provide statements about cases in which they were involved to grievance or other committees.

Ombuds and their telephone numbers are listed in the Student/Faculty/Staff Directory, the Student Handbook, the Ombuds Committee Homepage and other appropriate publications. In addition, Ombuds Committee posters located throughout campus contain the names and telephone numbers of Committee members.

The University of Arizona Ombuds Committee belongs to the The International Ombudsman Association (IOA) and operates in accordance with IOA's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

**If the complaint alleges illegal discrimination and/or sexual harassment, the Ombuds will immediately refer the complainant to the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office for appropriate action. Information about discrimination complaint procedures can be found in the following University publications: University Handbook for Appointed Personnel [UHAP] 6.03 "Unlawful Discrimination Review Procedures"; UHAP 6.04 "Further Hearings"; UHAP, Appendix E, "Policy on Sexual Harassment"; Staff Personnel Policy Manual [SPPM] 100.0 "Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity"; SPPM 101.0 "Sexual Harassment"; and the Affirmative Action Plan, 1992, Section Six.

**Ombuds cannot intervene if the employee has already contacted an attorney or if the employee has already begun to address their concerns with a human resources representative. If an employee is already involved in a matter that has reached a disciplinary or termination process (classified staff, faculty or professional), it is no longer an informal matter and is not subject to Ombuds intervention. Termination of a classified staff employee during his/her probationary period is not subject to Ombuds intervention.

**Ombuds cannot intervene in a personnel dispute if a hearing before a University grievance panel has already occurred and the proposed decision has been sustained by the hearing board, or if a grievant is represented by counsel.

Guidelines Adopted by the President's Cabinet July 24, 1994
Revised July 15, 1998
Revised March 4, 2003
Revised June 6, 2006