Office of the University Ombuds

Confidential, Independent, Impartial, Informal

Welcome! The Northern Arizona University Office of the University Ombuds serves as a confidential, independent, impartial and informal resource available to faculty, staff, and graduate students to address concerns that impact one’s work, life, or study at NAU. We offer a variety of services to best meet our community needs.

The Office of the University Ombuds offers the following services:

1. Individual Assistance. We provide a confidential and non-judgmental space. The Ombuds serve as a sounding board for individuals who may need to explore options to confront a conflict or situation in their department, program, or unit. Our office can help voice concerns to relevant administrators, clarify goals, and help visitors explore all options so that they may feel more confident to make their own best decisions. We offer a space for coaching individuals who may want guidance on how to best communicate in a conflict or stressful situation. The Ombuds connect people with the appropriate resources or relevant policy to help with their specific situation.
2. Mediation / Third Party Facilitation. The office provides mediation, or third-party facilitated services, where both parties desire a facilitated conversation by trained professionals.
3. Facilitated Group Conflict Resolution Work. We are available to facilitate group discussions through a structured process that maintains civility and enables the group to work through issues and create paths toward viable solutions. To Learn More About Our Department Workshop Offerings and/or Facilitated Conversations
4. Tailored Training and Workshops. Our office regularly offers workshops on topics relevant to individual units, or to address area-specific needs. To Learn More About Our Department Workshop Offerings and/or Facilitated Conversations
5. Systemic/Confidential Feedback to Leaders. The Director and Assistant Director of the Office of the University Ombuds meet with campus leadership to bring forward systemic or rising problems or concerns, while honoring the pillars of confidentiality of the International Ombuds Association (IOA).
6. Awareness of Services / Outreach. The Ombuds Office provides informational materials (brochures, flyers, etc.) and on-site informational presentations to increase awareness about our role and services. Please contact us to schedule an outreach presentation for your department or area.

Our office operates in accordance with the International Ombuds Association principles and bylaws. The office serves as a resource for our NAU community to help resolve conflict in a caring and inclusive environment that fosters respect and confidentiality.

You are invited to bring any issue that impacts your work or studies to the Ombuds Office. Please note that while you may approach the ombuds for any issues, when appropriate, we may re-direct you to other campus offices (e.g., Human Resources, Equity and Access, Employee Wellness, Disability Resources, or legal counsel). Some concerns may include, but are not limited to:

1. Compensation and benefits (e.g., issues relating to salary, retirement, leave, health insurance, etc.).
2. Evaluative/supervisory or peer relationships (e.g., interpersonal differences, respect and treatment, etc.)
3. Job and career issues (e.g., job description/classification, training, promotion, role ambiguity, etc.)
4. Workplace culture (e.g., concerns about bullying, workplace gossip, breaches in trust, etc.)
5. Legal, regulatory, financial and compliance (e.g., discrimination, harassment, fraud, retaliation, etc.).
6. Services/administration (e.g., responsiveness, timeliness, etc.)
7. Safety, health, wellbeing, stress and work/life (e.g., working conditions, stress, issues with health and safety, etc.)
8. Organizational, leadership and management (e.g., morale, management styles, lack of understanding about the performance evaluation process, etc.)
9. Values, ethics and standards (e.g., issues relating to the NAU culture and values)