Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

October 11, 2002

Council discusses ombuds spot

by Linda Charles
The Professional and Scientific Council passed a motion at its Oct. 2 meeting asking the administration not to forget P&S staff as a faculty ombuds office is developed.

The Faculty Senate earlier this year approved a proposal for a faculty ombuds position to provide informal and confidential, problem-solving assistance to faculty on work-related issues or disputes.

Council members agreed it was the time to remind the administration that P&S staff also would like an ombuds position.

Council member Lynne Mumm, ISU Research Foundation, said the motion made it appear the P&S Council was trying to "ride the coat tails of the Faculty Senate." She suggested the council prepare a proposal for an ombuds office rather than send the motion.

Several P&S Council members responded that the council has been advocating an ombuds office for the past 10 years. Some suggested one ombuds office could serve both faculty and staff, noting the University of Iowa's ombuds office serves faculty, staff and students.

Council members discussed whether an ombuds position should be used to provide P&S staff with information, mediation or advocacy. Some questioned whether the P&S Peer Advisory Committee members already served the information purpose.

Most council members agreed many P&S staff were uncomfortable in taking complaints, especially about their immediate superiors, to those higher up in administration.

"A lot of things are not brought forward because people don't know what to do or where to go," said council member Dan Woodin, administrative data processing. "Maybe people are afraid to go to their supervisors."

Others said there was little recourse for P&S staff if they did not want to file a formal grievance. Council members agreed an ombuds position could help settle disagreements before they reached the grievance stage.