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University
Ombudsperson: An Important Campus Role
Anne B. Alling,
Chief Human Resources Officer |
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When
President Jack Miller arrived at
CCSU in the summer of 2005, he
re-established the office of the
University Ombudsperson and
appointed Professor Antonio
García Lozada to the post. Dr.
García Lozada (left), who had
previously served for a semester
as an interim ombudsperson, is
in his third academic year as
the University Ombudsperson.
Dr. García Lozada spends 25 to
30 hours per week in the
Ombudsperson’s Office, which is
located in Davidson Hall, Room
214. He is also a faculty
member in the Modern Languages
Department. Dr. García Lozada
is a member of the International
Ombudsman Association and has
attended their
Ombuds 101
and
Ombuds 101 plus
training, as well as attending
various workshops in Changing
the Conflict Resolution System
in Institutions of Higher
Education. He is guided by the
International Ombudsman
Association’s Code of Ethics and
Standards of Practice.
What
exactly is an Ombudsperson? The
Ombudsperson, reporting directly
to the President, is a neutral
third party to whom students,
faculty, and staff can go when
they have a problem or a
concern. The Ombudsperson
offers an opportunity for all
members of the CCSU community to
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with
someone for assistance in
resolving concerns informally,
in an objective, neutral, and
confidential manner. The
Ombudsperson can investigate
complaints, mediate solutions,
and recommend procedural
changes. The Ombudsperson
operates independent of any
particular university management
office, so that he or she can
recommend corrective action(s)
at any level of the university
and/or to the President.
The Ombudsperson’s role is to be
neutral, not advocating for
either party in a dispute, but
rather attempting to create a
satisfactory resolution.
Dr.
García Lozada believes that the
Ombudspersons Office plays an
important role at CCSU by being
“the ear of the whole campus.”
He see his approach as
“organic,” taking into account
the whole University when
problem solving and considering
alternatives. Dr. García
Lozada sometimes practices
“shuttle diplomacy,” suggesting
various options to parties who
are looking for a resolution to
a particular issue. Dr.
García Lozada sees his role as
someone who can educate,
suggest, and recommend. He is
currently collaborating with the
Director of Counseling and
Wellness on a project involving
“constructive conversations” for
students to discuss concerns and
problems. Above all, Dr.
García Lozada comprehends the
interests
of
all parties --including issues
of dignity, learning experience,
efficiency, equity and fairness.
Faculty, staff, and students are
indeed fortunate to have this
additional campus resource where
they can go for help with any
question, problem, or concern.
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