A Reminder of Ombuds Services

As many in the UNO community currently face uncertainty and stress, there may be increased conflict in our work and learning environments. In light of this, your UNO ombuds want to remind you of their services. In these challenging times they can help students, staff, and faculty to clarify policy, connect to resources, generate options regarding problems, and mediate conflict. The ombuds will listen to individuals and work with them in a confidential, neutral, and informal manner without making judgements or taking sides.

Shereen Bingham, Tracie Anderson, and Joseph Price currently serve as the UNO ombuds. Upon Bingham’s retirement on May 15, Connie Schaffer will officially join the ombuds team as the newly appointed Director of Ombuds Services. The Ombuds will continue to provide services to UNO students and employees throughout the summer months and academic year.

As individuals seek assistance from Ombuds Services, they will also help UNO to identify unforeseen campus-wide issues related to UNO’s shift to remote teaching, learning, and operations. Although the ombuds operate independent of UNO’s administrative structure, they perform an important campus-wide function. As individuals across campus and from multiple units seek services, ombuds are able to track trends and alert campus leaders to developing or previously unidentified problems while still maintaining confidentiality. This is true at any point, but may be particularly relevant given the current context of the pandemic and may also help the campus continue its important mission during these unprecedented circumstances.

To learn more about UNO Ombuds Services or to contact an ombuds, visit the UNO Ombuds Services website.