Ombudsman

The office of the faculty ombuds at Loyola University was established in 2013 by Father Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., upon the recommendation of the University Senate, to assist faculty in handling university-related conflicts or complaints. To afford faculty the greatest freedom in using its services, the office is a strictly confidential, impartial, and informal problem-solving resource. Additionally, the office operates independently of any other entity at the university and reports administratively to the president. Communication with the ombuds office does not constitute notice to the university. The ombuds assists faculty in identifying and evaluating options and solutions to problems and advocates for a fair and equitable process. The office supplements, but does not replace, existing formal grievance mechanisms at the university.

The office follows the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the International Ombudsman Association http://www.ombudsassociation.org

The office of the ombuds at Loyola is also guided by the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis, or care of the whole person. Faculty seeking assistance from the office will be treated with dignity and respect and can expect individualized attention to their needs and concerns.

Core Principles

Marcus Kondkar, the faculty ombuds, is a member of the International Ombudsman Association (IOA). The office operations are consistent with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the International Ombudsman Association.

The office is founded on the following core principles:

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is essential to the ombuds' function. To the extent permitted by law, conversations with the faculty ombuds are confidential except where there appears to be imminent risk of serious harm. The faculty ombuds will not disclose the name of any individual who has visited the office or disclose anything discussed with the individual with anyone unless given permission has been given by the individual.

Neutrality

The faculty ombuds provides impartial and objective assessments of any concern brought to the office. As a neutral third party, the ombuds is an advocate for equity, fair process, and the fair administration of process, but does not take sides on behalf of any individual or cause.

Informality

All conversations with the faculty ombuds are considered informal and off-the-record. The ombuds does not make decisions on behalf of the institution or override the decisions of other officials. The ombuds maintains no records (other than statistical data) and does not participate in formal grievances or complaints.

Independence

Though the faculty ombuds reports annually to the President, the ombuds functions independently of all university offices, and neither represents the university administration nor any individual.