The Ombuds Office is a voluntary and confidential resource available to staff, faculty, and students who have questions, concerns or challenges related to their experience at the university. Members of the Pacific community are welcome to reach out at any time for assistance in navigating a difficult situation, managing a conflict or making a tough choice. There is no wrong reason to contact the Ombuds Office. The office provides a private space where individuals can safely discuss concerns, explore options and navigate challenges without pressure to pursue any particular course of action. The Ombuds does not act on behalf of visitors without their permission, and every effort is made to protect privacy while supporting informed decision-making.
Meet the Ombuds
Ombuds Services
The Ombuds Office offers confidential consultations, conducts informal mediation, facilitates important and challenging conversations and provides traing for students, faculty and staff.
Make an appointment
To speak with the Ombuds or schedule a meeting, please send an email to ombuds@pacific.edu.
Mission
The Ombuds Office supports the Pacific community by providing a confidential, impartial, informal and independent resource for navigating concerns, addressing conflict, exploring options and identifying systemic opportunities for constructive change.
Principles
The Ombuds Office adheres to the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics established by the International Ombuds Association. Services are guided by the following principles:
The Ombuds operates with strict confidentiality to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Ombuds does not maintain records containing identifying information. The identity of individuals seeking assistance, as well as the information they share, will not be disclosed unless:
- The visitor gives the Ombuds explicit permission to make a disclosure, and the Ombuds determines, in their sole discretion, that it is appropriate to do so
- The Ombuds determines there is an imminent risk of serious harm
- The Ombuds is expressly required by law to make disclosure
To support institutional improvement, the Ombuds may share general trends and systemic concerns while protecting individual confidentiality.
The Ombuds serves as a neutral and unbiased resource. The Ombuds does not take sides or advocate for specific individuals or outcomes. Instead, the Ombuds advocates for fair and equitable processes and strives to support mutually agreeable resolutions.
The Ombuds provides an off-the-record, informal option for addressing concerns. The office does not make or enforce university policy and is not a formal reporting channel or office of notice. The Ombuds does not participate as a witness, investigator or decision-maker in formal proceedings.
The Ombuds Office operates independently from all university offices, with sole discretion over how to assist individuals and address concerns. Although the Ombuds reports administratively to General Counsel for budgetary and operational support, confidential communications and identifying information are not shared.
Contact
When you choose to work with the Ombuds Office, you agree to the principles under which the office operates. This includes understanding that the University Ombuds will not serve as a witness in internal university proceedings and that communication with the Ombuds Office is confidential, off-the-record and does not constitute notice to the university.
Email: ombuds@pacific.edu
Phone: 209-946-3224
