OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSPERSON
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About
Oberlin's ombudsperson is an impartial and independent administrator
whose central role is to help improve the quality of discourse on-campus by
providing individuals—primarily students—with the tools to resolve
conflicts, solve problems, and communicate more effectively with others.
The Ombudsperson's services are completely confidential unless there
is a risk of imminent harm to the visitor, to others, or to the welfare of
the institution, or unless required by law. The Ombudsperson will not discuss
a complaint without the permission of the visitor. The Ombudsperson will not
offer information about people with whom she may or may not have spoken within
her office. The Ombudsperson can listen, offer information about the institution's
policies and procedures, accept suggestions from people seeking confidential
channels for bringing up responsible concerns, and help work for orderly and
responsible system change.
The ombudsperson keeps no formal written records. Her duties can include shuttle
diplomacy or mediation, and she may help see that problems are brought to the
attention of the appropriate people in the institution. The ombudsperson does
not have the authority to make, change, or set aside administrative decisions
on Oberlin College policy. Instead, she provides feedback on trends, issues,
policies, and practices equitable to all parties, without breaching confidentiality.
Services
For a complete list of services and resources, visit www.oberlin.edu/colrelat/ombuds/.
interpersonal conflicts
housing and dining issues
financial concerns
roommate concerns
faculty/staff/student misunderstandings
unethical behavior
fear of retaliation
interpersonal miscommunication
unfair treatment
Oberlin College Dialogue Center
The Ombudsperson also coordinates and oversees the development of the Oberlin
Campus Dialogue Center (OCDC). This Center was created in the spring semester
2001 to promote social change through conflict transformation, mediation, community
building, and dialogue. The mediation team for the Center includes students,
faculty, and staff who represent various constituencies of the Oberlin campus.
These individuals are trained to mediate using the social justice model.
Goals
and Parameters of OCDC
The Oberlin Campus Dialogue Center is responsible for
upholding the belief in social change. The center provides mediation and facilitation
services. The center will also provide services such as:
educational forums
workshops
mediation training sessions
The Ombudsperson will provide mediators to individuals or groups on-campus
to help resolve disputes informally or facilitate group discussions.
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process.
Union cases and sexual harassment will not be addressed by the Center,
but the parties are most welcome to use the services that this program
offers for gaining information and utilizing mediation as a second
option.
Through the Ombudsperson Office, OCDC assists individuals and the College
community in confronting and resolving sources of community tension,
particularly those stemming from racism and other socially derived
sources of prejudice and misunderstanding. |
