University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania's Office of the Ombudsman was established in 1971 to assist individuals to find solutions to problems that they may not have been able to resolve through normal channels. 

The Office of the Ombudsman is staffed by the University Ombudsman, a tenured faculty member (part-time), and an Associate Ombudsman (full-time). It is available for all members of the University community, with the exception of unionized workers at Penn and the employees of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Students, faculty, staff, and administrators seek assistance in addressing a variety of problems: academic disputes, access to resources, conflict in the workplace, compensation equity, failure to follow university procedures, and interpersonal tensions.

In all cases, initial complaints are heard confidentially. Further action is taken only when complainants want the Office to proceed on their behalf. If a complainant wishes it, the Ombudsman will approach the person or persons complained of, discuss the nature of the complaint that has been filed, and give him or her the opportunity to respond. The Office serves as an impartial mediator. We work to find solutions that are acceptable to both the complainant and the respondent.

The office is concerned with safeguarding individual rights and promoting better channels of communication throughout the University. The Ombudsman acts independently and is not an advocate for any one individual or group. He or she is an advocate for fairness, adherence to University regulations, due process, and personal responsibility. The Office supplements, but does not replace, any existing grievance mechanisms or modes of redress. It can and does recommend changes in the existing rules and practices.

The overarching mission of the Office of the Ombudsman is to resolve issues of equity and justice at the University of Pennsylvania before the tensions of polarization escalate.