In Fall of 2025, the UT Office of Ombuds Services launched a messaging campaign called “Be Curious” aimed at all members of the UT community – all campuses and all stakeholders.
Our goal is to provide everyone with a toolbox of strategies and tools to help you approach situations of tension & uncertainty with a “curiosity” mindset. Here’s some info on our pfree Be Curious tools so far: our new Mindfulness Quick Reference Card, and our Be Curious Stress Cube.
Ombuds “Be Curious” Quick Reference Cards
First in a series of pocket-sized “Be Curious” reminders, is our Mindfulness card listing strategies for handling difficult emotions in that moment when they are strongest and may overwhelm your thinking. Using a PAUSE mnemonic, we remind you to:
- Pause to Breath
- Avoid Judgement
- Use Curiosity
- Seek to Understand, and/or
- Engage Empathy
Coming soon in this series! Cards for
Dignity, Psychological Safety, & Growth Mindset.
Stressed? Use our CUBE!
Starting with August 2025 orientations & outreach sessions, we offered in-person participants fidget cubes with a PAUSE. BREATH. Be Curious. reminder printed on the side – as well as ombuds.utk.edu, of course!
Come check ’em out and maybe grab one or five
on Oct 13, 2025 at the Ombuds T-Time
from 1-3pm EST at the UT Gardens’ McIlwaine Friendship Pavilion.