New ombuds office created to help resolve conflicts

A new office will provide confidential conflict resolution assistance to faculty and staff this fall, as part of efforts to enhance campus climate.

The Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff will act as an independent and impartial source of information, counseling and, if desired, mediation for employees who are having a conflict in the workplace.

“As we strive toward a better campus climate, it is important that we have the infrastructure to assist faculty and staff in resolving workplace conflicts,” says Provost Peter Spear.

The ombuds are four retired members of the faculty and academic staff known for their fairness and problem-solving skills. Ann Burgess, director emerita of the Biology Core Curriculum; Ted Finman, Bascom Professor of Law emeritus; Roger Howard, associate dean of students emeritus; and Doris Slesinger, professor emerita of rural sociology, will work part time and share the office’s duties.

Linda Greene, associate vice chancellor for faculty and staff programs, was responsible for initial development of the office, including the identification of a pool of ombuds candidates. Bernice Durand continued the office’s development and coordinated training for the ombuds when she was appointed associate vice chancellor for diversity and climate.

“I am impressed and delighted by what these four bring to the task,” Durand says. “With more than 120 years combined experience at UW–Madison, they bring a deep understanding of how this campus runs. They understand the rights and privileges extended to all university employees, and each brings a personal history of compassion and fairness to conflict resolution.”

The four ombuds describe the office not as a replacement for existing services, but rather as a “first stop” for faculty and staff members who are having problems and don’t know where to turn. All conversations are kept in the strictest confidence.

“This process begins with us simply being there to listen to and discuss employees’ problems,” Burgess says. “We hope people will immediately turn to us when they have a conflict in the workplace or feel they are not being respected and appreciated by their supervisors and colleagues. We’re not confrontational and we don’t tell people what to do. We explain the options and then they decide.”

In some cases, the ombudsperson might ask those seeking assistance whether they want a mediation session with the other parties involved in the conflict. But other parties are involved only if permission is given by the visitor to the ombuds office.

“Mediation is not meant to put anyone on the spot, it’s quite the opposite,” Burgess says. “It can solve many problems before employees file a grievance or other official action, which can have a divisive effect on the workplace.”

Spear and Durand say they will also look to the office to provide objective advice on addressing climate and diversity issues.

“Without revealing the sources of their information, the ombuds can talk to us about chronic problems they observe. In turn, we can use that information to identify ways to help improve campus climate,” says Spear.

The office grows out of recommendations from the Committee on Women in the University, the Campus Climate Networking Group and a variety of other campus governance groups. It builds upon ombuds services previously provided through the associate vice chancellor’s office, starting with ombuds services for women faculty initiated by former associate vice chancellor Betsy Draine, then broadened and continued by Greene and Durand.

The office supplements existing UW–Madison resources such as the Employee Assistance Office, Equity and Diversity Resource Center, Office of Human Resources, Academic Personnel and Classified Personnel offices, secretaries of the faculty and academic staff, ADA coordinator and McBurney Disability Resource Center. The Dean of Students Office provides ombuds services for students.

While the four ombuds have consulted with these existing campus administrative units, the office is an independent unit, allowing it to provide a very high level of neutrality from both the institution and individual employees.

The office expands the work already being done in the Medical School by its ombudsperson, Rosa Garner. Garner’s program, which began in 1998, assists students, faculty and staff in fostering a positive working environment conducive to academic productivity and diversity.

The four members of the ombuds office have worked in close consultation with Garner, a longtime ombudsperson for a variety of professions, to develop the new office and to gather advice on how best to gain the trust of those they are trying to serve.

“Acceptance happens over time. People are willing to give it a try and, by reputation, you build people’s trust in the office,” Garner says. “The people selected to run the office have solid reputations and a variety of experience on campus. Now they are repackaging those skills to become ombuds. It’s very exciting.”

The ombuds have also received in-depth training from Maile Sagen, past president of the University and College Ombuds Association.

The Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff is located in 523-524 Lowell Hall, 610 Langdon St. Those wishing assistance can call 265-9992.