Source University Ombudsperson Committee Policy Individual committee members, serving as ombudspersons, shall use skills to facilitate problem resolution between disputing parties as appropriate. Certain proposed personnel actions, such as proposed suspension without pay, demotions, or involuntary terminations, may be mediated prior to the required hearing that precedes the action. However, if a hearing before a university hearing officer has occurred and the proposed decision has been sustained, it is then a management prerogative to proceed with the staff action. Termination of a classified staff member during the probationary period is not subject to mediation. Ombudspersons are not empowered to change a decision, but through their efforts to clarify matters information may emerge to assist in the resolution of the dispute.
All information given to an ombudsperson is confidential.
The university's ASU West Ombudsperson Committee is composed of individuals representing the faculty, academic professionals, and classified and administrative staff of ASU West. The president of the Academic Senate, the president of the West Staff Council, and the president of the ASU West Student Forum serve as ex officio members of the committee. The committee chair is appointed by the president. Services Provided By the Committee Committee members provide information and, if needed, an informal means of problem resolution to individual employees, students, and members of the public who have problems working with the campus or who are involved in disputes. Ombudspersons may use mediation or other problem-solving techniques to facilitate communication or problem resolution between disputing parties.