2024-2025 Graduate Bulletin > Student Support Services and Resources > University Services and Resources > University Ombuds Office

University Ombuds Office

The Office of the University Ombudsperson was established to serve the institution in accordance with its core values of integrity, respect, compassion, inclusiveness, social responsibility, excellence, and innovation by welcoming students, staff, and faculty into a confidential space for discussion regarding university-related matters of concern. The Ombuds assists in opening avenues of communication for those in pursuit of resolution and in promoting fair and equitable treatment for all members of the CMU community.

The Ombuds handles all matters in a confidential, impartial, informal, and independent manner.

Confidentiality – Visitor concerns are private. The Ombuds will not reveal visitor identity or situation particulars without explicit permission. Visitors may speak openly and privately, but for two exceptions which require formal reporting: 1) an instance of imminent risk to the visitor or others; 2) when a potential violation of the Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy is made known.

Impartiality – The Ombuds may not advocate for a particular visitor but rather, acts as a designated neutral, a resource, championing fair and equitable treatment for all groups and individuals within the institution.

Informality – The office does not serve as a point of notice to the university nor does the officeholder act on behalf of the university. The Ombuds has no authority or role in formal processes and neither participates in them nor represents visitors at grievance, disciplinary, or other such hearings. 

Independence – Ombuds operate independently from other university entities and offices. The Ombuds has sole discretion in determining whether and how to proceed within the scope of its institutional role.

In addition to assisting CMU community members clarify or resolve matters, the Ombuds may identify policies for review or revision and may alert university administration to discernible trends or patterns in the caseload of visitor concerns and inquiries.

The Ombuds can advise those who wish to file a formal complaint or grievance. Seeking consultation with the Ombuds is not a requirement to process, it is strictly voluntary, however doing so provides opportunity to ask questions about formal processes and to make informed decisions about existing options such as which, if any, to pursue.

After listening to visitor concerns, the Ombuds may take one or more of the following actions: 1) review relevant rights, responsibilities, policies, or regulations; 2) aid in generating fair, equitable options; 3) identify other appropriate university resources; or, 4) request supplemental information from the visitor, or with visitor permission, from other parties to better understand context and consider resolution possibilities.

The Ombuds assists all CMU students, staff, and faculty regardless of age, citizenship, disability, economic class, ethnicity, faith, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, social class, and all other identities expressed among CMU’s community of scholars.