An ombudsperson in a university is an independent, neutral, and confidential resource appointed to address and resolve grievances of students, faculty, and staff impartially. Their role is to promote fairness, equity, and due process within the university community.

• Listening and Confidentiality: Hear concerns and complaints impartially and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Conflict Resolution: Facilitate fair and equitable resolutions through mediation, coaching, and informal problem-solving techniques without imposing solutions.
• Advising: Provide guidance on university policies, procedures, and regulations, helping individuals understand their options and navigate complex situations.
• Mediation and Communication: Foster communication among parties involved in conflicts and help prepare individuals for difficult conversations.
• Systemic Improvement: Identify patterns or systemic issues from complaints and recommend changes to policies or procedures to university leadership while preserving anonymity.
• Independence: Operate independently from university administration, reporting to a high-level authority such as the university president or vice-provost.
• Education and Outreach: Promote awareness of the ombudsperson's services and educate the university community on conflict resolution and fairness.