Principles

The ombudsman profession adheres to four central principles:

Independence

Our office operates independently from the traditional organizational hierarchy, reporting only to an executive officer of the University in order to avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest.

Informality

Our office does not participate in any formal University proceedings, such as disciplinary hearings or professional reviews. We do not keep formal records or official notes. Meetings are relaxed with no set protocols or agendas.

Neutrality & Impartiality

As a designated neutral, our office does not take sides or represent any party. We do not advocate for particular positions, outcomes, or resolutions.

Confidentiality

Our office values the privacy of its visitors. We will not identify our visitors nor discuss their concerns with anyone unless we have been given explicit permission to do so. We cannot guarantee complete confidentiality, however, as there are certain circumstances requiring disclosure, such as sexual harassment, discrimination, criminal activity, and risk of imminent harm to the visitor, to others, or to the welfare of the University.