The Ombuds Office offers confidential consultations for students, faculty and staff. These meetings provide a safe, private space to discuss questions, concerns, challenges or conflicts. In these conversations, the Ombuds serves as a nonjudgmental, informal thought partner, drawing on expertise in conflict management, coaching and higher education to listen carefully, clarify concerns and collaboratively explore strategies, options and resources.
Please note: While more than one individual may attend a consultation, the Ombuds does not mediate or facilitate between parties without first meeting separately with each individual.
Informal mediation is a voluntary process that helps two or more individuals engage in constructive conversations about important issues. It is designed to help participants clarify needs and interests, understand differing viewpoints and explore options for moving forward.
As a mediator, the Ombuds does not tell parties what to do, make decisions or take sides. Instead, the Ombuds provides an informal structure that supports meaningful dialogue, mutual understanding and informed decision-making. Participants maintain control over both the content and outcomes of these conversations.
Please note: Prior to mediation, each participant must first meet individually with the Ombuds to discuss the process, interests, concerns and goals. Participation is voluntary, and individuals may withdraw at any time. While the Ombuds maintains confidentiality, confidentiality among participants cannot be guaranteed or enforced.
Groups navigating important or challenging conversations may benefit from working with a neutral facilitator who has no stake in the outcome. In this role, the Ombuds helps create an informal and voluntary space where participants can focus on substantive issues, share concerns, understand different perspectives, clarify interests and goals and collaboratively explore constructive solutions.
Throughout the process, the Ombuds helps maintain respectful and productive dialogue while ensuring each participant has an opportunity to be heard.
Please note: While the Ombuds maintains confidentiality, confidentiality among participants cannot be guaranteed or enforced.
The Ombuds Office offers both readily available presentations and customized trainings designed to strengthen communication, conflict management and problem-solving skills across the university community.
These sessions can be tailored to the needs of departments, teams, classes and campus groups. Please contact the office to discuss customized trainings or inquire about scheduling current offerings.
Current Offering:
Ombuds 101: Understanding the Role and Services of the Ombuds Office
This 15–45 minute introductory session provides an overview of the Ombuds Office and the confidential, impartial, informal and independent services it offers to students, faculty and staff. Presentations can be delivered virtually or in person for departments, teams, units or campus groups.
To speak with the Ombuds or schedule a meeting, please send an email to ombuds@pacific.edu.
Role and limitations of the Ombuds
- Participate in formal grievance, investigative, or disciplinary processes
- Make decisions for you or tell you what to do
- Provide legal advice or legal representation
- Serve as an advocate for any individual, department, or the University
- Take sides in disputes
- Accept notice on behalf of the University
- Maintain records for formal University processes
- Breach confidentiality except where there is an imminent risk of serious harm or where otherwise required by law
- Override University policies, procedures, or administrative decisions
- Conduct formal investigations or issue findings
- Provide psychological counseling or therapy
- Force anyone to meet with them or participate in information resolution processes
- Attend meetings as a witness or observer
- Actively listening to help clarify concerns and underlying issues
- Serving as a neutral sounding board
- Collaboratively exploring options and generating solutions
- Assisting with preparation for important conversations
- Identifying strategies and approaches to ongoing disputes
- Supporting perspective-taking and understanding differing viewpoints
- Providing conflict coaching and communication strategies
- Offering guidance for navigating difficult conversations
- Gathering information or making informal inquires when appropriate and with permission
- Facilitating informal discussions, mediation, and shuttle diplomacy
- Clarifying university policies, procedures, and organizational dynamics
- Connecting individuals with relevant campus resources and referrals
- Providing training on conflict management and communication
- Proposing recommendations for positive systemic and organizational change
- Identifying and elevating systemic patterns or trends while protecting confidentiality
