Recruiting new Ombuds Council members

Are you interested in helping other UWM faculty and staff informally resolve conflict? The UWM Ombuds Council is currently seeking volunteers from faculty and staff to serve as members. All UWM faculty, non-teaching and teaching academic staff, and university staff are eligible to apply. Applications are due May 15. Learn more about the Ombuds program and current members.

About the Council:

The Ombuds Council is a group of trained UWM employees who volunteer as the first level of contact to provide informal conflict resolution services. The Ombuds Council is a confidential, informal, neutral and independent resource that provides assistance to members of the UWM community in exploring options to resolve problems, complaints and conflicts at a preliminary level. This assistance functions as an early opportunity to explore options outside of formal administrative channels, supplementing them, but not replacing them. The Ombuds Council serves as a resource for those who seek informal guidance on policies, procedures and regulations affecting faculty and staff.

What is the commitment?

UWM Council members rotate through an on-call schedule approximately six times a semester and 12 times a calendar year. On-call schedules are three days a week (Monday-Wednesday or Thursday-Saturday), and members usually handle no more than one contact per on-call period, sometimes following up on a “visitor’s” concerns following the initial contact. Additionally, the Council meets monthly for about an hour. A new Ombuds can expect to commit an additional afternoon for onboarding and training.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to all UWM faculty and staff. Faculty from the UWM College of General Studies are especially encouraged to apply.

How do I apply?

Please send a letter of intent and a resume to Dr. Nadya Fouad at nadya@uwm.edu. Applications are due May 15. Interviews will be scheduled after all applications are reviewed.