UC Davis is establishing an ombudsperson’s office to provide confidential and independent conflict resolution services to faculty and staff.

While formally reporting through the chancellor’s office, the ombudsperson will operate independently to resolve conflicts in an informal and impartial manner.

The campus is creating the position in response to recommendations made following the Nov. 18, 2011, pepper-spray incident on the Quad. Specifically, law professor emeritus Cruz Reynoso, who led a major review of the Nov. 18 incident, and a committee of the Graduate Student Association each recommended to Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi the creation of an ombudsperson's office.

“Faculty and staff need and deserve to have this important resource available to them, as we continue to encourage all members of the UC Davis community to express themselves freely in an honest, candid and respectful manner,” the chancellor said in announcing the new office. “When and where those expressions result in conflict, there will now be an established and effective way to resolve any concerns that might arise in a constructive fashion.”

Reynoso said he was gratified to see this step being taken. "I am extremely pleased that the administration has been able to follow through on this," he said. "I think it's a very positive step forward in terms of the overall issue of making sure there is access to folks close to the decision makers in the university."

Bruno Nachtergaele, chair of the Davis Division of the Academic Senate, said his organization supports the concept of an ombudsperson.

“Our experience in conflict resolution indicates that there is a unique role for a general ombuds function on the campus,” said Nachtergaele, a professor of mathematics.

He noted that faculty members have access to the senate's faculty privilege and academic personnel advisers, who provide confidential advice on a variety of issues, including any relating to the personnel process. "This has proven to be a helpful resource because they provide faculty an avenue for discussing concerns in confidence with someone who does not have a stake in the issue, and without setting in motion a particular course of action, as filing a grievance would.”

Not a substitute for formal processes

The Office of the Ombudsperson will offer an alternative for resolving complaints, concerns or problems in a timely and private manner. People who come to the office will be provided a confidential place to explore options to make informed decisions. The Office of the Ombudsperson will not replace or substitute for the university’s formal grievance, investigative and appeal processes. If a matter cannot be resolved through the Office of the Ombudsperson, a referral will be made to the appropriate office.

Campus offices such as Student Affairs and Graduate Studies will continue to assist students in resolving their concerns.

UC Davis joins all but one of its sister campuses (Santa Cruz) in having an ombudsperson's office.

In filling the new position, the campus is looking for someone who has earned official certification as an ombudsperson and who has “expert knowledge of conflict resolution and mediation techniques, methods and principles, and expert skills in developing effective options for conflict resolution,” according to a position description posted on Oct. 26.

The position description. The application deadline is Nov. 16.

More information on demonstration reviews.