The Ombuds Can:
- Provide a safe place to discuss issues and surface concerns
- Listen
- Help think through and evaluate possible options
- Explain Washington University policies and procedures
- Gather relevant information from other resources
- Assist in preparing for an important conversation
- Facilitate conversations between two or more people
- Make referrals to other campus resources
- Track trends
- Recommend policy changes when appropriate
- Suggest constructive processes for addressing challenging issues
- Provide tailored conflict resolution education and training
- Promote fairness and equity
The Ombuds Can Not:
- Take sides or advocate for any individual, group, or the university
- Make decisions
- Offer legal advice
- Provide psychological counseling
- Establish, change, or set aside policies
- Accept formal complaints or serve as an agent of notice for Washington University
- Replace any formal process of the university
- Conduct investigations, adjudicate, or arbitrate any dispute
- Agree to serve as a witness in any administrative or legal proceeding at Washington University or elsewhere
- Maintain records