Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
  • About Backback to Main menu
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Mission and Strategic Plan
    • Accreditation
    • Our City
    • Facts and Figures
    • Campus Safety
    • Buildings and Maps
    • Contact Us
  • Academics Backback to Main menu
    • Academics
    • Majors & Programs
    • Class Search
    • Catalogs
    • Academic Calendar
    • Colleges
    • Academic Affairs
    • Online Learning
    • International
    • Library
  • Admissions Backback to Main menu
    • Admissions
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Financial Aid
    • Registrar
    • Visit UNO
    • Request Info
    • Apply
  • Student Life Backback to Main menu
    • Student Life
    • Division of Student Life and Wellbeing
    • Academic & Career Development Center
    • Accessibility
    • Housing & Residence Life
    • Inclusion
    • Service
    • Student Conduct & Community Standards
    • Student Involvement
    • Student Safety
    • Wellness
  • Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Engagement
    • Office of Engagement
    • Campus Resources for Community
    • Service Learning Academy
    • Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center
    • Volunteer and Civic Engagement Programs
    • Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center
    • Faculty Resources
    • Student Resources
    • Voter Engagement
    • Community Engagement Partnership Initiative
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • Research
    • Research News
    • Centers and Institutes
  • Athletics Backback to Main menu
    • Athletics
    • Baxter Arena
    • Omaha Mavericks Website
  • Alumni Backback to Main menu
    • Alumni
    • Transcripts
    • Thompson Center

Ombuds Services

  1. UNO
  2. Ombuds Services

Ombuds ServicesĀ is a resource for any member of the UNO community with a university-related problem or conflict.

We assist students, faculty, and staff members with informal conflict resolution and problem-solving, navigating difficult situations, and advocacy for fair processes and fair treatment. If you have a concern, the University Ombuds are here to help.


Ombuds Services during COVID-19 Crisis

The COVID-19 crisis has required many adaptations to policy and practices on our campus. In the midst of change and uncertainty, communication challenges, misunderstandings, and anxiety often increase. We encourage students, staff, and faculty to consult with an ombuds should they encounter situations that make working and/or learning difficult.

To protect the health of the ombuds and their visitors (those who seek the services of an ombuds), UNO ombuds services will be delivered in a remote mode until health officials advise otherwise. Ombuds will meet visitors via Zoom using a unique link with an individualized password for each visitor. If the visitor prefers, the ombuds can contact them by telephone.

UNO ombuds will follow the guidelines of the International Ombuds Association (IOA) in regard to COVID-19 and the standard of confidentiality. The IOA has advised “…the exception to confidentiality is for an imminent threat of serious harm and that may include instances of unreported exposure to or diagnosis of COVID-19… Ombuds may need to invoke the imminent threat of serious harm exception to confidentiality in the event that they learn of information that could expose people to COVID-19.”

What an Ombudsperson (Ombuds) Does

We provide a confidential, neutral space where it is safe to discuss conflicts, problems, or any troubles you might have with the university or its policies or procedures. Our assistance is tailored to your concerns and the dynamics of your situation. We will:

  • Listen
  • Answer questions—or help find others who can
  • Provide information
  • Make informal inquiries
  • Analyze difficult situations
  • Help people identify and evaluate their options
  • Assist with interpreting policies and procedures
  • Offer communication and conflict coaching
  • Provide mediation and facilitation services
  • Act as a go-between to resolve a problem
  • Take informal action within the system
  • Make referrals for other resources

We also identify trends and emerging types of problems at the university and recommend needed changes in policies and procedures. We report directly to the Senior Vice Chancellor and the Chancellor but do not provide them information on individual cases.

What an Ombuds Does Not Do

As an informal, confidential, neutral, independent resource, the Ombuds do not:

  • Receive formal complaints
  • Conduct investigations of wrongdoing or impose discipline
  • Participate in any formal hearing, appeal, or grievance process
  • Change policies, procedures, rules, or administrative decisions
  • Supersede the authority of university officials
  • Disclose information provided in confidence, except to address an imminent risk of serious harm where there is no other reasonable option
  • Act as an agent of “notice” for the university
  • Represent or advocate for any individual in a dispute
  • Address issues arising under a collective bargaining agreement, unless allowed by specific language in the agreement

The Ombuds are not intended to replace other UNO channels (formal or informal) for the resolution of problems and conflicts. We supplement other resources by providing informal, impartial, off-the-record assistance to any member of the UNO community.

When to Talk with an Ombuds

All UNO employees and students have the right to consult Ombuds Services confidentially and without reprisal. We assist with an unrestricted variety of university-related issues and concerns, no matter how large or small.

The Ombuds may be able to help when:

  • You want to discuss a sensitive issue or question in confidence
  • You believe you have been treated unfairly
  • Your situation requires help with communication or conflict management
  • You are unsure what policies or procedures apply in your situation
  • You have a complaint about an office or service at UNO
  • You have difficulties in a peer relationship (such as classmates, coworkers, colleagues, or roommates)
  • You have problems in a relationship of unequal status or power (such as supervisor-employee or faculty-student)
  • You are unsure of where to go or what options are open to you

Guiding Principles

The UNO Ombuds are guided by four principles based on the International Ombudsman Association Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics:

Confidentiality
The Ombuds maintain confidentiality concerning all matters that are brought to us. Exceptions occur only when it appears that a visitor to our office or others are at imminent risk of being seriously harmed and there is no other reasonable option.

Neutrality
The Ombuds provide neutral and impartial assistance. We do not take sides nor advocate for any individual. However, we do advocate for fair processes and equitable resolution of conflicts and problems.

Informality
The Ombuds help individuals resolve their issues informally. We advise about formal and administrative options, but do not receive formal complaints, conduct investigations, or participate in formal procedures.

Independence
The Ombuds act as independently as possible of all other UNO offices. We identify trends and emerging problem types at the university and report them to the UNO leadership in a manner that protects the identity of individuals.

Other resources available to you

uno campus

What are Ombuds?

The Ombuds are not intended to replace other UNO channels for resolving problems and conflicts, but rather supplement other resources to help create a welcoming, supportive, inclusive, and safe environment for the campus community.

Additional Resources

  • Ombuds Informational Flier
  • Resources

Ombuds Services is a network of UNO faculty and staff who serve in the Ombuds role and are located on campus.

You may use phone or email to schedule an appointment with one of the University Ombuds. If you schedule an appointment by email, please do not include any confidential information.

For more information about Ombuds Services, please contact one of the University Ombuds.

Contact Us

University Ombuds
Director, Ombuds Services
Jennifer Harbour, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Black Studies

Email: jharbour@unomaha.edu
Phone: 402.554.2449

University Ombuds
Tracie Anderson
Assistant Registrar, Athletic Certification

Email: tracieanderson@unomaha.edu
Phone: 402.554.2878

University Ombuds
Joseph Price, Ph.D.
Administrative Coordinator, Master of Arts in Critical and Creative Thinking and Special Projects Director, College of Arts and Sciences

Email: jprice@unomaha.edu
Phone: 402.554.2545

  • Next Steps
  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)
  • Just For You
  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List
  • Popular Services and Resources
  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • Bookstore
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence
  • Affiliates
  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • © 2023  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • MavsReport

Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.

scroll to top of page