Ombuds Office

Offers neutral, informal help

The Iowa State University Ombuds Office serves as an informal, neutral resource that assists faculty, Professional and Scientific staff, Confidential and Supervisory employees, and graduate and professional students with day-to-day concerns or with conflicts that arise on campus or at their worksite.

Aims for mutually acceptable solutions

The Ombuds Officer can help individuals navigate through university policies, procedures, and organizational structure. The Ombuds Officer can also help open lines of communication that seem to be closed, help identify other options or useful resources for a problem, or simply serve as a sounding board when people want to talk about a difficult situation.

Because the Ombuds Officer is not an investigator or a decision-maker, she can help people involved in a dispute respectfully discuss their concerns and work together to reach an appropriate and mutually acceptable solution.

Works confidentially, informally

You should feel comfortable sharing your concerns with the Ombuds Officer because your communication through that office is almost always confidential.* You also don't waive any rights when you work with the Ombuds Officer, because your communication there is not considered to be an official complaint or grievance and does not trigger the start of any formal procedures.

Elaine Newell

How to get in touch

You are welcome to contact the Ombuds Office by phone or email, or stop by the office at 69 Physics Hall to make an appointment or get more information.

Office hours

The office is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Walk-in visits are welcome from noon until 1 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Summer hours

Summer hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.