A safe place to navigate through difficulties at UCSC
The Office of the Ombuds is a confidential, informal, independent, and impartial resource. Our main focus is informally supporting the community in addressing disputes that are interpersonal, academic, or administrative amongst members of the UC Santa Cruz Community.
Confidential – Informal – Impartial – Independent
In every aspect of their work, professional Ombuds are guided by the following principles, as articulated by the International Ombuds Association.
Confidentiality
Ombuds do not keep any permanent records about you or the information that you share, and will not share any information you give with anyone outside the ombuds office without your permission. The only exception to maintaining such confidentiality is where the ombudsperson has determined that an imminent threat of serious harm exists.
Informality
Ombuds facilitate communication when conflict arises and provides the opportunity for informal dispute resolution. We do not arbitrate, adjudicate, formally investigate or participate in any internal or external formal process. The office supplements but does not replace other resources at the university.
Impartiality
Ombuds do not take sides in any conflict, dispute or issue, and will consider the interests and concerns of all parties involved with the aim of achieving a fair and equitable resolution to the issues presented.
Independence
To ensure objectivity and effectiveness, the office functions independently with respect to case handling and issue management. The ombuds office reports to the Chancellor’s office for administrative and budgetary purposes but not regarding the substance of matters discussed in the office.
How does the Office of the Ombuds serve the UCSC Campus?
- Provides confidential, impartial, and informal dispute resolution services for the UC Santa Cruz community.
- Works to facilitate communication and assist parties in reaching mutually acceptable agreements to find fair and equitable resolutions to concerns.
- Is available to assist faculty, staff, and students at UC Santa Cruz who seek informal guidance with the resolution of interpersonal, academic or administrative issues and disputes.
- Functions independently with respect to case handling and issue management, and reports to the Office of the Chancellor for administrative and budgetary purposes, but not regarding the substance of matters discussed in the Office.
- Provides services that supplement, but do not replace, other administrative processes and it is part of a larger ecosystem of offices intended to improve equity and access at UC Santa Cruz.
- Without disclosing confidential communications, the Office also reports general trends, provides feedback throughout the organization, and advocates systems change when appropriate.