Introduction of Employee and Student Ombuds at Grand Valley State University
A Taskforce recommendation to University Academic Senate Executive Committee in favor of an ombuds position was made in 2014. A student ombuds position was created in 2015. Continued discussion and support for an employee ombuds position was identified in the climate study data. In 2020, President Philomena V. Mantella announced the implementation of an employee ombuds position as part of the 15-point plan for racial equity (2020). The Employee Ombuds Office was established in February 2021 to provide an accessible, confidential, neutral, independent and informal resource for resolution and management of problems and conflicts to all faculty and staff at Grand Valley State University. The ombuds office adheres to the standards of practice and code of ethics outlined by the International Ombudsmen Association.