Ombuds available to all faculty, staff

The ombuds office is a resource for faculty and staff looking for an informal, impartial, confidential and independent option to discuss workplace disputes. Ombuds listen to faculty and staff concerns, clarify procedures, discuss options and act as intermediaries to resolve problems if needed. Ombuds are independent from university administrative offices; discussing a matter with an ombuds is confidential and does not constitute notice to the university.

Four emeritus faculty and staff work part-time and share the office duties. Two new ombuds have joined the office this year: Linda Newman and Patricia Wolleat. Newman retired from the School of Education’s Office of Education Academic Services in 2007 after working on campus for 29 years. Wolleat is a professor emerita of counseling psychology, beginning her UW–Madison career in 1971 as the first female tenure-track professor in the department.

The other two ombuds available to faculty and staff are Richard Ralston, former associate vice chancellor in the Office of the Provost and a professor emeritus in the College of Letters & Science, and John Mather, former manager of the D.C. Smith Greenhouse.

For more information, call 265-9992 or visit the office in 223–225 Lowell Center.