What we do, and what we don't

What the Ombuds Office does:

• Listen and discuss questions, issues and concerns
• Help evaluate various options to address concerns
• Answers questions or make referral to others who can
• Facilitate communication between people
• Mediate disputes to seek "win-win" resolution of problems
• Explain University policies and procedures
• Point out patterns of problems/complaints to administrators
• Advise individuals about steps to resolve problems informally
• Advise individuals about formal and administrative options
• Make appropriate referrals when informal options don't work
• Point out patterns of problems/complaints to administrators
• Provide Mediation and Civility Training

What the Ombuds Office does NOT:

• Participate in formal grievance process
• Make administrative decisions for UMass-Dartmouth administrators
• Determine "guilt" or "innocence" of those accused of wrong-doing
• Assign sanctions to individuals
• Receive official "notice" for the university about issues
• Give legal advice