SUNY ESF
Office of the College Ombuds
The College Ombuds provides faculty and staff with a confidential, informal, neutral, and independent resource to openly address questions and uncertainty related to work. The office is a space operating independently and thus outside of formal ESF channels, and can help talk through workplace inquiries without fear of retaliation.
How we differ from formal channels
The Office of the College ombuds is not Human Resources, and in operating independently is not affiliated with institutional offices that can investigate situations and enforce policies. While the ombuds has no formal role in responding to concerns, they may provide a visitor with relevant information that helps identify formal options to move toward resolution.
Core Principles
Confidentiality
All communications and inquiries are confidential, to the extent permitted by the law. The office will not disclose the identify of a visitor, and the content of conversations remains confidential.
Informality
The office provides informal assistance only, and is not used as a means toward a solution. The ombuds cannot initiate any formal investigation or process regarding discipline, and cannot adjudicate policy or administrative decisions. It is thus used to complement existing grievance procedures and avoid duplication.
Neutrality/Impartiality
The ombuds is a neutral third-party resource for faculty and staff. The role does not assume a side for or against any individual or group cause or position.
Independence
The ombuds operates independent of the existing administrative structures and processes and is free of interference or influence from administration.
Example Situations
- Seeking how to manage difficult conversations with coworkers
- Concerns about processes or policies
- Navigating potential ethical dilemmas
- Finding out about pre-existing formal processes
- Dealing with specific conflicts with colleagues
- Addressing a performance issue with direct reports
Focal Tenets of the Ombuds Role
- Listening without judgment
- Clarifying policies and procedures
- Helping explore and evaluate options for a conflict
- Referring visitors to the appropriate sources
- Helping coach on effective communication tactics and conflict management
- Engaging in facilitated conversations, where appropriate
Frequently Asked Questions
The word ombuds derives from the Swedish word Ombudsman, which translates to “representative.” The Ombuds provides fair and equitable services and guidance to faculty and staff and was initially known as an “ear to the people.”
The Ombuds helps address concerns or questions openly and without fear of retaliation or judgment from managers or peers. It is a:
- Safe place to help faculty and staff with matters that affect their individual work experiences, including employment concerns, ethical issues, and interpersonal disputes
- An opportunity for guidance with college policies and procedures
- Range of options for each visitor, which may include simply listening, talking through communication techniques, reframing concerns, developing options together and referrals to other offices or resources
- Growing entity that aims to provide future workshops and presentations to individual offices and units that can highlight conflict-management techniques
Yes. The College Ombuds does not share any information from confidential conversations unless there is an “imminent risk of harm.” The ombuds does not keep any permanent records relating to confidential conversations. The ombuds provides confidential general reports to identify trends, advocates for systemic change in needed areas, and shares in reading and addressing the pulse of the campus.
An ombuds should often be the first, rather than last, resort to an issue, as it is meant to promote a supportive, inclusive, and successful campus community.
Email [email protected] with preferred times and dates. Please include only your meeting request; do not include any confidential information in your email. Details about your particular concern will be discussed during your confidential appointment. The ombuds is available to schedule in-person and phone appointments during business hours and potentially off-hour times to accommodate the variety of working and class schedules of faculty and staff. Appointments can also be scheduled at other locations off campus, as needed.
About the Ombuds
Tyler Dorholt serves as ESF’s College Ombuds. Dorholt received a certificate of completion from the International Ombudsman Association in 2018, after training in the Foundations of Organizational Ombudsman Practice. He helped found the University Ombuds office at Syracuse University. Dorholt works as Senior Staff Associate in the Office of the Provost at ESF, and directs the Digital Storytelling Studio. He also teaches in the Writing Program, where he was the director from 2020-2024.