Staff Concerns

All staff, faculty, and students -- undergraduate, graduate, professional, non-degree seeking, etc. -- have access to the Ombuds Office. Parents, alumni, and other members of the FGCU community are also able to schedule appointments with the ombuds, although some information may not be available to them.

We can help you when you have any concern about FGCU (policies, processes, personnel, etc.). We do all of this while maintaining our ethics (informality, impartiality, independence and confidentiality). At FGCU, confidentiality includes all information with the only exceptions where there appears to be imminent risk of harm, by law, and FGCU policy. The Ombuds Office cannot receive formal notice of concerns, but we can provide you with the information on where to file a formal complaint.

• Listen to your concerns and provide guidance
• Provide conflict resolution coaching
• Coordinate with other individuals or university departments to explain a policy or procedure or to resolve an issue
• Facilitate communication with other parties
• Work directly with a department or campus resource to help resolve issues or a concern
• Help obtain additional information and resources
• Provide mediation or facilitation services
• Make referrals to campus resources such as Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Adaptive Services, Academic Advising or the Center for Academic Achievement
• Suggest negotiation strategies to resolve conflict and prevent disputes

You decide how you want your concern handled.  The Ombuds may suggest options, but it is up to you to decide how to proceed.  You may give the Ombuds permission to share information or to discuss a concern with another individual or department on campus to try and resolve your concern.

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The Ombuds office is guided by four principles from the International Ombuds Association Code of Ethics:

Independent
The Ombuds is independent in structure, function, and appearance to the highest degree possible within the organization. The Ombuds reports directly to the President. The Ombuds offers feedback to the President and others on systemic problems.

Impartial

The Ombuds, is designed neutral, remains unaligned, and impartial. The Ombuds does not engage in situation which could create a conflict of interest. The Ombuds Office operates as an alternate channel to provide the confidential, safe discussion and facilitation of communication. The Ombuds Office does not work or advocate on behalf of employees, students, FGCU administration or any third party. The Ombuds Office works to ensure members of the FGCU community are treated respectfully and be impartial, fair, and objective.

Confidentiality

The Ombuds holds all communication with those seeking assistance in strict confidence, and does not disclose confidential communication unless given permission to do so. The only exception to the privilege is where there appears to be imminent risk of harm, by law, and FGCU policy. The Ombuds will not keep permanent records of specific, confidential communications. At the same time the Ombuds Office acts in compliance with applicable public records requirements. The Ombuds Office may report trends using aggregated data to protect the confidentiality of employees and its operations. The Ombuds Office or shall not disclose to any person, including employees or external parties, the names or identifying information of those who interface with the Ombuds Office. The services provided by the Ombuds Office are entirely voluntary. Visitors may contact the Ombuds Office anonymously. Use of anonymity may, however, present certain limitations on the Ombuds Office's ability to be of assistance.

Informal

The Ombuds, is an informal resource and does not participate in any formal adjudicative or administrative procedure related to concerns brought to the offices attention. The Ombuds Office is not authorized to receive "notice" of claims against FGCU. The Ombuds Office can and will refer those wishing to place FGCU on notice. Formal complaints are handled by other offices such as The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, The Title IX Office, Office of General Counsel and Human Resources. The Ombuds Office does not formally investigate issues, create policy, compel action, make management decisions, and does not adjudicate or arbitrate claims.

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You should visit the Ombuds Office if...

• You are not sure where to go for help
• You have a problem, concern, complaint, or dispute you want to discuss informally
• You would like to talk to someone confidentially
• You are unsure of FGCU policies or procedures that relate to your problem
• You would like to know what resources or options are available to you
• You feel a policy or procedure is not being followed fairly
• You have identified issues or trends you would like FGCU to address

The benefits of these informal processes are that:

• provide a safe and confidential environment
• the processes are flexible allowing an individual raising the concern or complaint has greater control over the timing or pace of resolving the concern;
• individuals involved in the dispute or conflict have greater control over the outcome;
• creative solutions can be developed and implemented;
• relationships can be improved; and
• parties can be empowered in the process as they resolve the concern or complaint.
• We also regularly report trends in student concerns to senior administrators without identifying individual visitors. 

• We intend to abide by the International Ombudsman Association's Standards of Practice. The principles of confidentiality, impartiality, independence, and informality are essential to the function of the Office.
• Your visit to the Ombuds Office is completely voluntary. When you visit the Office, you agree to respect and abide by the principles by which it operates and to not call the Ombuds to testify in formal or legal proceedings.
• Your confidentiality is important. Any personal working notes taken during the visit will be destroyed at the closing of your case. Written phone messages are also destroyed.