The Ombuds Office is a confidential, neutral office that assists faculty, staff, and students in resolving disputes that arise within Ramapo College. The Office operates independently and provides an informal alternative to existing administrative or formal grievance procedures. An important aspect of the Ombuds Office is that it makes recommendations and proposes policy changes to the president to address inequities in the design and administration of policies and/or procedures. In addition,

The Ombuds Office:

• Listens to and discuss questions, concerns, and complaints
• Helps evaluate various options to address concerns
• Answers questions or help find others who can
• Explains College policies and procedures
• Facilitates communication between people
• Advises individuals about steps to resolve problems informally
• Advises individuals about formal and administrative options
• Mediates disputes to seek “win-win” resolution of problems
• Makes appropriate referrals when informal options don’t work
• Points out patterns of problems/complaints to administrators

The Ombuds Office Does Not:

• Participate in formal grievance processes
• Make administrative decisions for Ramapo College administrators
• Determine “guilt” or “innocence” of those accused of wrong-doing
• Assign sanctions to individuals
• Receive official “notice” for the College about issues
• Give legal advice