Ombuds Support

Purpose

The academic unit Ombuds exists to assist in the resolution of disputes. Upon request, the Ombuds will provide information about grievance procedures, and is a source of unit-based information concerning University policies and provides assistance in resolving disputes. The Dean may, in addition, direct the Program faculty or the school’s Executive Committee to reconsider a dispute if the Dean thinks a mistake in evaluative judgment may have occurred. No action by the Ombuds or the Dean, however, will deny a grievant continuing access to the prescribed appeal procedures.

To identify and contact the Ombuds, please refer to the U-M Faculty Ombuds page: https://facultyombuds.umich.edu/unit-ombuds/.

Membership Guidelines

A faculty announcement will include a call for engagement. Interested tenured faculty NOT holding an administrative position (Executive Committee (EC) member, associate dean, or program chair) can self-nominate or nominate by contacting the Dean’s Office no later than June 15. The Dean then appoints one individual in consultation with the Executive Committee. If there are no nominations, the Dean and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs will select an individual to serve in this role.

The Faculty Ombuds will serve a two-year term, starting on September 1 and ending two years later on August 31. An individual can be reappointed after a one-year break in service. If the individual later is elected as an EC member or takes on an administrative role, they will forgo their ombuds role. In this case, the Dean will make another call for nominations.

Page updated

Report abuse