Our staff are members of the International Ombuds Association (IOA), and follow the Standards of Practice for Organizational Ombuds, which includes the principles listed below. As evidence of our ombuds’ adherence to these principles, they attain & maintain Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner (CO-OP®) status from the International Ombuds Association.

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All staff of the Office of Ombuds Services adhere to these standards:

Independence

The Ombuds is independent in structure, function, appearance, and decision-making. The Ombuds reports to the highest possible level within the organization and does not report to a function or entity that could affect, or be perceived as affecting, the Ombuds’ independence. At UT, the Office reports directly to the Chancellor.

Impartiality

The Ombuds is a designated neutral and impartial resource who does not take sides or serve as an advocate for any person or entity. The Ombuds avoids conflicts of interest and conduct that could be perceived as a conflict of interest.

Informality

The Ombuds does not participate in any evaluative, disciplinary, legal, or administrative proceedings related to concerns brought to the Ombuds’ attention. The Ombuds is not authorized to make business and policy decisions or conduct formal investigations on behalf of the organization. The Ombuds is not an agent of the organization for purposes of receiving notice of claims against the organization and is not authorized to be a formal reporting channel for the organization on matters brought to the Ombuds’ attention except when specifically and expressly mandated by law.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is the defining characteristic of Ombuds practice. The identity of those seeking assistance from the Ombuds and all communications with them are confidential to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Ombuds may, at their sole discretion, disclose confidential information when the person seeking assistance gives permission to do so; when failure to do so might result in an imminent risk of serious harm; or as necessary to defend against a formal complaint of professional misconduct.

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 If you have any concerns about ombuds staff, please contact the University Ombuds and Director of Ombuds Services directly – Lisa Yamagata-Lynch. For concerns regarding the University Ombuds specifically, please contact Matthew Scoggins, UT Chancellor’s Chief of Staff, Matthew Scoggins.