The Vice President of Human Resources discussed the status of the Ombuds Office and the alternative mechanisms available for the resolution of grievances with the committee and solicited members input on the best ways to meet the various needs of the Hopkins community. The availability of a vehicle for complaint handling outside the regular chair of command was thought to be very important, as was a recourse for graduate students for whom the paths are not so clear. The committee raised a number of concerns and urged that access to an identifiable, accessible, confidential resource for dispute resolution be established. In light of plans to create a Diversity Leadership Council for the university, the committee addressed its relationship to this body. Issues of clarification of role and nature of representation were also considered, as was the necessity of avoiding a duplication of effort.
Good communication is deemed necessary to avoid overlapping agendas.
Throughout the year status reports were also provided to the committee about progress on the Human Resource Information System deemed critical to the provision of the data necessary to facilitate both management analysis and staff access to career development information. The Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved.