The Office of the Ombudsman is a resource for members of The Catholic University of America community (faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and trainees) who have a problem or concern. We provide informal conflict resolution and work to promote fair treatment and fair practice.
We can help you if:
- Don’t know where to begin to address a problem
- Are unsure which policies or procedures relate to your situation
- Believe policies or procedures have been applied unfairly or inappropriately
- Want to discuss sensitive issues confidentially
- Have tried regular channels for resolving your concern and have been unsuccessful
We will:
- Serve as a sounding board and provide an opportunity to discuss concerns confidentially
- Provide relevant information, including University policies and procedures
- Assist in developing possible
We don't:
- Keep formal records
- Disclose confidential information
- Participate in any formal proceeding, even if asked
We can assist with:
- Job conflicts
- Problems with advisors
- Tenure and promotion issues
- Disciplinary matters
- Department conflicts
- Performance appraisals
- Course conflicts
- Salary concerns
- Benefits questions
- Grading conflicts
- Health and safety concerns
- Disputes about fees
- Campus housing issues
- Equity/fairness
- Toxic work environments
- Authorship disputes
Services:
- Informal assessment of problems
- Coaching on conflict resolution
- Facilitation of group discussions
- Mediation for faculty disputes
- Referral to other campus resources