The mission of the Ombuds Office is to provide confidential, impartial, informal, and independent assistance to Utah Valley University community members, enabling them to voice concerns, develop options, and solve problems. The UVU Ombudsman facilitates dialogue and negotiation to resolve disputes and concerns within the university based on voluntary participation.
Per UVU Policy 541, students have the right to access the Ombuds Office for consultation and assistance resolving matters of personal and school issues, including but not limited to concerns and conflicts regarding other students, faculty, university policies and processes, and housing disputes.
The Ombuds Charter defines the authority and responsibilities of the Ombuds Office.
The UVU Ombudsman is guided by the four principles outlined by the International Ombudsman Association (IOA) Code of Ethics.
The university ombudsman maintains strict confidentiality regarding your identity and communications when you are seeking assistance. Confidential information is only disclosed with your permission, except in cases of imminent serious harm or when mandated by Title IX and other state and federal laws.
The Ombuds remains unbiased, neutral, and impartial when addressing your concerns and complaints. The Ombuds considers the rights and interests of all parties involved and helps them reach fair and equitable agreements aligned with the University’s mission and policies. However, the Ombuds does not advocate for the university or any individual.
In resolving conflicts, the university ombudsman focuses on informal methods and doesn’t engage in formal investigations or decisions. As an informal resource, the Ombuds is not authorized to accept your notice (formal complaints) for the university, except in Title IX cases, but will refer you to the appropriate office. Your use of the Ombuds Office is voluntary.
The UVU Ombudsman is independent in structure, function, and appearance, and informs the highest offices of campus administration to convey perceived issues and trends via an annual report. The Ombuds provides anonymous aggregate statistical data and does not keep formal records.
Ombuds
