The ombudsperson search advisory committee will review candidates for the newly established ombudsperson role at Yale University. The ombudsperson reports to the president and operates independently of existing formal or informal dispute resolution processes and administrative offices.
All faculty, staff, and graduate and professional school (G&P) students will be able to directly seek a meeting with the ombudsperson to discuss a broad array of concerns related to their academic or workplace environment. Undergraduate students will continue to be supported through Yale’s unique residential college system, their deans, and the other offices that are dedicated to addressing their questions and concerns.
The ombudsperson will operate under strict confidentiality and will serve as a neutral advocate for fair treatment and processes. The ombudsperson will help faculty, staff, and G&P students understand their rights and options based on all laws and university policies and procedures, provide informal dispute resolution services, and offer referrals to and information about other support and conflict resolution resources.
The ombudsperson search advisory committee is seeking comments widely in its work. Please share your suggestions with the committee and the president.
Frequently Asked Questions
While we expect that, once hired, the new ombudsperson at Yale will provide outreach to the community with information about their services, below we highlight several frequently asked questions with answers about the scope of this inaugural role and its responsibilities.
What is the role of the ombudsperson at Yale?
An organizational ombudsperson primarily assists individuals and groups with resolving conflicts, addressing issues, and raising systemic concerns to the organization. This role is characterized by four key principles: independence, impartiality, informality, and confidentiality. The ombudsperson is authorized to confidentially receive and discuss concerns or inquiries about a wide range of topics. They listen, offer options, and may in appropriate cases when requested assist directly with facilitating informal resolutions, but do not formally investigate these issues. Given their commitment to confidentiality except as required by law, information shared with the ombudsperson does not constitute notice to Yale.
What qualifications are required for an ombudsperson?
The ombudsperson at Yale will be expected to be certified through the International Ombuds Association. This requires:
- Passing a written examination, and
- At least one year of full-time experience, or 2000 hours, in practice as an organizational ombudsperson, or two years of 50 percent time experience, or four years of 25 percent time experience, in a qualifying organizational ombudsperson role.
Additional information about the necessary skills and qualifications can be found in the position job description.
Who will be able to bring concerns to the ombudsperson?
Any faculty member, staff, trainee, or graduate or professional student will have access to the ombudsperson.
Will you need a referral to speak with an ombudsperson?
No, the ombudsperson’s role is public-facing and easily accessible without referrals, handling a wide variety of concerns confidentially.
What is different about an ombudsperson from the existing resources available at Yale?
The scope of the ombudsperson is broad, addressing a wide range of issues, such as ethics, compensation, relationships, career development, policy questions, and organizational strategy. This contrasts with specific university resources like the SHARE Center/Title IX Office for sexual misconduct or the Discrimination and Harassment Resource Coordinators/OIEA for discrimination and harassment concerns. Yale’s ombudsperson can act as a first point of contact for diverse issues, providing referrals to appropriate university pathways and formal processes. They do not conduct formal investigations but may assist with conflict resolution through coaching, negotiation, or mediation.
Does the ombudsperson share any of the information they receive?
The Yale ombudspeople will not formally notify the university of issues but can refer individuals to appropriate resources and highlight systemic concerns to leadership. For cases that might violate Yale policies, the ombudsperson acts as a referral source, guiding individuals through formal processes and offering behind-the-scenes support. The ombudsperson at Yale will also be expected to produce an anonymized annual report of trends and findings.
Where will the ombudsperson’s office be located?
We expect the ombudsperson and their administrative staff person to be located on the third floor of William L. Harkness Hall.
