The Faculty Ombudsman reports directly to the President of the University
and is selected by the Faculty Senate in consultation with the Provost
and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Duties of the Faculty Ombudsman:
· The Ombudsman will be available for consultation during all
academic sessions.
· The Ombudsman will act as a neutral agent in faculty disputes
and informally assist to resolve concerns or problems related to faculty
academic rights, responsibilities, and working environment.
· The Ombudsman will promote the values of fairness, equity,
justice, equality of opportunity and mutual respect.
· The Ombudsman will receive and review concerns or complaints
(anonymous or not) from members of the University of North Texas faculty.
There are certain circumstances under University policy and law that
require disclosure of information. However, to the extent possible,
all consultations with the Ombudsman are confidential.
· The Ombudsman will act as an informal resource of information;
facilitate communication; review complaints and facilitate the resolution
of disputes.
· The Ombudsman will assist the parties to determine the overall
context of the dispute, concern or problem and if the matter should
be pursued.
· The Ombudsman will direct the parties to the appropriate office,
department or organization – even if the Ombudsman does not become
directly involved in the matter.
· The Ombudsman, when called upon, will conduct informal reviews
with the full cooperation of University personnel and will recommend
appropriate action.
· Most of the Ombudsman’s work will be conducted informally
via phone or in person. Formal reports will rarely be issued.
· The Ombudsman will inform the individual(s) initiating the
complaint or consultation of the outcome of his/her activities or reviews
into the issue of concern and may offer advice as to an appropriate
course of action.
Examples of matters that may be brought to the Ombudsman:
· Inconsistent or biased decisions within a department, college
or school and/or the University Administration.
· Identified weaknesses in the University Policies/Procedures
or Faculty Handbook
· Complaints regarding a discretionary act or decision by the
department, college or school and/or the University Administration.
Conflict of Interest:
· The Faculty Ombudsman may not simultaneously serve on any
personnel, grievance or tenure committee during his or her term of appointment
as Faculty Ombudsman.
· The Faculty Ombudsman will avoid any issue in which there may
be a conflict of interest on his or her part.
Agreements Reached Through Consultation With the Ombudsman:
Any agreement reached by the faculty member(s) with the other parties
involved in the dispute, concern or problems related to faculty academic
rights, responsibilities, and working environment will be regarded as
a recommendation to the appropriate unit administrator(s) and acted
upon as such.
Relationship to Other University Offices or Programs:
· The Ombudsman is independent of the normal University’s
academic administration.
· The duties of the Ombudsman complement and enhance existing
University offices or programs of adjudication, dispute resolution,
internal review, severance or discipline, academic freedom, and grievance.
· The Ombudsman is not an avenue to officially appeal unpopular
decisions made in official forums such as grievance committees or other
established appellate procedures.
· The Ombudsman does not have the power to change any decisions,
but can only advise, refer, review and/or persuade.
Term of Appointment, Workload, and Compensation:
· The Faculty Ombudsman will serve a term of two years and is
eligible for reappointment for a second two-year term with the approval
of the Faculty Senate and the Provost and Vice President for Academic
Affairs.
· The duties of the Ombudsman will constitute a teaching load
reduction commensurate with the responsibilities. The teaching load
reduction will be no less than a three-hour load reduction in each semester
of the regular academic year. Compensation for the summer is limited
to the equivalent of one summer term.
· Necessary budgetary expenses for both the teaching load reduction
and summer compensation shall be arranged through the Office of the
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
· Faculty on modified service or retired faculty may be considered
for this position.
Performance Review:
· The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate in consultation
with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs may counsel
the Ombudsman at anytime regarding his or her performance.
· The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate in consultation
with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will meet with
the Faculty Ombudsman in July to review his or her work during the academic
year and make recommendations as needed.
· The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate will report no
later than October to the Faculty Senate and the President their assessment
of Faculty Ombudsman’s performance during the previous academic
year.
Removal:
· The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate in consultation
with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs may recommend
removal of an Ombudsman to the Senate and, if supported by a two-thirds
vote of the Senate, the recommendation will be forwarded to the President.
Qualifications:
· Must be a current or previously tenured member of the faculty
· Must be or have been tenured 10 years with the University of
North Texas prior to becoming Ombudsman.
· Must be a person of integrity with an understanding of the
principles of simple justice and academic due process.
· Must be familiar with University policies and procedures, especially
those pertaining to academic issues, grievances, faculty and staff personnel,
and records.
· Must command the respect of colleagues and be able to respect
the private and confidential nature of issues brought to his or her
attention.
· Must be willing to participate in conflict resolution training.
Application and Selection Process:
· The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate will solicit
applications and nominations in January of the second year of a two-year
term.
· If the current Ombudsman is eligible for reappointment, the
Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate may recommend reappointment
rather than soliciting additional applications.
· Applicants/nominees must submit in writing the following information
to the Chair of the Faculty Senate:
o Background, qualifications
and perspectives the applicant would bring to the position.
o A comprehensive vita.
o The names and telephone
numbers of at least three references.
· The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate in consultation
with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will screen
applications and recommend the appointment of an Ombudsman to the Faculty
Senate.
· If approved by the Faculty Senate, the recommendation will
be forwarded to the President of the University by April 1.
· If approved by the President, the appointment would begin the
following September 1.
Policy Revision Procedures:
The Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate in consultation with
the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs may recommend to
the Faculty Senate revisions to the Ombudsman policy. Any revisions
to this policy are subject to approval by the President and the Board
of Regents. This policy is subject to review every four years.
