Faculty Ombudsperson

Faculty Ombudsperson

Beginning June 2022, the university is implementing a new model of support that includes two faculty ombudspersons. This model is designed to better serve Texas State's large and diverse faculty body and to provide faculty members with an additional layer of support in addressing questions, concerns, and solutions to work-related issues. Faculty Ombudspersons are appointed by the President for a three-year term. The faculty ombudspersons are advocates for respectful and civil dialogue, transparent and fair policies, and continuous improvement. The ombudspersons is designated neutral, neither an employee nor a management advocate. Ombuds support is available to all faculty during the fall, spring and summer terms.

In addition to the explicit responsibilities detailed below, the ombudsperson is empowered to develop procedures, consistent with this policy, to facilitate the timely and equitable resolution of faculty concerns and grievances- and, via the Faculty Senate, to recommend changes to AA/PPS 04.02.32, Faculty Grievance Policy.

Meet the Faculty Ombuds

Faculty members can contact Dr. Todd Jewell and Dr. Colleen Myles by email at facultyombuds@txstate.edu.

Why Faculty Might Contact a Faculty Ombud

Faculty members are encouraged to contact the faculty ombuds for a variety of reasons. For example, faculty may seek assistance with:

• Clarification of faculty rights, university policies or procedures
• Information about options and resources for addressing work-related issues
• Help in exploring an informal resolution to a work-related problem
• Assistance in communicating with other faculty or university administrators

Informal Resolution

Faculty members must make a bona fide effort to resolve an issue collegially by discussing their concerns with their director/chair and dean. If this does not prove satisfactory, faculty members may consult with the Faculty Ombudsperson. The Ombuds serves as a confidential, neutral, informal and independent resource for faculty concerns and conflicts at Texas State. As an independent resource for problem resolution, the Ombuds works to ensure that all members of the faculty are treated equitably and fairly. The Ombuds can provide confidential and informal assistance to help resolve issues related to both the workplace and academic environments.

Please note: the faculty ombuds do not provide formal mediation services. Mediation for faculty is provided by Human Resources. For more information, please visit the Human Resources' Mediation website.

Filing a Grievance

If informal resolution is neither possible nor satisfactory in the judgment of the concerned faculty member, the faculty member may file a formal grievance pursuant to procedures described in AA/PPS 04.02.32, Faculty Grievance Policy, section 4.

Role of a Faculty Ombudsperson

The Ombuds is a neutral person with whom faculty members can voice concerns, evaluate situations, organize thoughts, and identify options. The Ombuds adheres to the principles outlined in the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice advocated by the International Ombudsman Association:

Independence:  The Ombuds is independent in structure, function, and appearance to the highest degree possible within Texas State. The Ombuds is independent of the University's formal administrative structure and strives to consider all sides of an issue in an impartial and objective manner. The Ombuds cannot impose solutions, but identifies options and strategies for resolution of disputes.

Neutrality and Impartiality:  The Ombuds, as a designated neutral, remains unaligned and impartial. The Ombuds strives to promote procedural fairness in the content and administration of Texas State's practices, processes, and policies. The Ombuds does not engage in any situation that could create a conflict of interest.

Confidentiality:   The Ombuds holds all communications with those seeking assistance in strict confidence, and does not disclose confidential communications unless given permission to do so, except as required by law, or where, in the judgment of the Ombuds, there appears to be imminent risk of serious harm. 

Informality: The Ombuds, as an informal resource, does not participate in any formal adjudicative or administrative procedure related to concerns brought to their attention. The Ombuds provides information relating to university policies and procedures and assist in the resolution of problems and grievances through informal investigation, but does not replace or supersede other university grievances, complaint or appeal procedures.