Faculty Senate

Faculty Ombuds
Located at Rendleman Hall, Room 2225
Phone: (618) 650-3238

The Faculty Ombuds Service was established in 2001 to provide full and part-time faculty and administrators on the SIUE campuses with an option other than formal grievance procedures for resolving conflicts. The two faculty ombuds serve as neutral listeners, information resources, and intermediaries.

The assumptions for the Faculty Ombuds Service are as follows:

     1) To recognize that conflict is an inevitable part of organizational life.

     2) To recognize that conflict can harm organizational unity when it is silenced, ignored, or denied.

     3) To ensure, through the services of a trained Ombuds faculty, that when conflict arises all parties, regardless of position, have an avenue for dealing with conflict.

Click here to see what the process of working with an ombuds looks like SIUE Ombuds Flow Chart

The Faculty Ombuds are trained to apply the Ombuds Code of Ethics as descibed in the following link:

CODE OF ETHICS of The International Ombudsman Association

WHAT THE FACULTY OMBUDS SERVICE DOES:

• Provides a confidential, impartial, and informal dispute resolution process which recognizes the rights and interests of all parties
• Assists faculty with interpersonal or academic issues and operates independently of any administrative unit as an alternative or supplement to formal grievance procedures
• Listens and discusses questions, concerns, and complaints
• Helps identify and evaluate various options to address concerns
• Provides assistance in obtaining answers to questions as well as information about University policies and procedures
• Opens channels of communication
• Serves as a neutral third-party in conflict resolution
• Attempts to resolve problems informally by mediating disputes to seek a solution which is equitable to both parties and which adheres to University policies and procedures

WHAT THE FACULTY OMBUDS SERVICE DOES NOT DO:

• Does not keep records
• Does not participate in formal grievance procedures
• Does not render judgment or make decisions on issues
• Does not receive official "notice" for the University about grievances, complaints, or concerns

HOW MIGHT THE FACULTY OMBUDS HELP:

• By carefully listening and facilitating analysis of a complicated situation
• By working with faculty to identify and clarify options
• By seeking information in response to questions regarding University policies and procedures
• By mediating disputes
• By referring faculty to relevant university resources and problem-solving channels.

WHERE TO CONTACT US:

The Faculty Ombuds Service is located in 2225 Rendleman Hall. If possible, please call 650-3238 to make an advance appointment. Office hours for the current semester are posted below and on our door. We would also be glad to set up an appointment at any other mutually convenient time.

Seran Aktuna (English Language & Literature), saktuna@siue.edu, extension 2148 or 3238
Nicole Klein (Applied Health), nklein@siue.edu, extension 3028 or 3238

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