8.2 Ombuds

An Office of the Ombuds shall be established by the Senate of Michigan Technological University. Its purpose shall be to provide confidential, impartial, informal conflict resolution services to faculty, staff and students prior to the filing of any formal grievance. The Ombuds office seeks to resolve conflicts through informal mediation efforts. Ombuds mediation efforts are to be terminated upon the filing of a formal grievance, at the request of the member of the university community seeking Ombuds services, or by the judgment of the Ombuds officer. Consultation with the Ombuds Officer will not preclude or impair other avenues of grievance, investigation, or adjudication available to faculty, staff and students.

The Ombuds Officer shall report to the President, and may recommend policy changes to the President for consideration.

The Ombuds Officer shall be appointed by the appointing committee which shall consist of the following members of the Michigan Tech community: one member appointed by the President; one member elected by the Senate from among its members; one member elected by the Academic Faculty; one member elected by the Staff Council; and one member elected by Michigan Tech enrolled students. The choice of the appointing committee must be unanimous. The term of the Ombuds Officer shall continue until his/her resignation or until terminated by a two-thirds majority vote of the entire University Senate membership.

Release time and resources required to successfully execute the duties of the Ombuds' Office shall be provided by the University as determined by the President. (Board of Control Policy 4.8)