Campus Ombuds
Reuben Mitchell, our campus ombuds, is available to work with all staff and faculty.
He is based in California and will respond to inquiries within 48 hours. You can reach
Reuben at ombuds@westminsteru.edu to schedule an individual consultation.
Reuben has more than 40 years of experience providing leadership and organizational development to private liberal arts colleges, major research universities, government agencies, K–12 schools, law enforcement agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. He currently serves as the ombuds at Scripps Research Institute, where he has also served as the director of employee development, leading the training, recruitment, records, and employee relations functions. Reuben has directed process-improvement efforts, coached managers and supervisors for improved accountability, and assisted in the resolution of performance-related issues.
What Ombuds Do
- Listen, which may be all that is needed
- Discuss your concerns and help clarify the most important issues
- Gather information, explain policies, and offer referrals to other resources
- Help you identify and evaluate options
- Serve as a neutral party to solve problems, resolve conflict, and work to achieve fair outcomes
- Offer coaching to help you prepare for difficult conversations
- Communicate with university officials about broad issues and trends
- Provide referrals to other resources
What Ombuds Do NOT Do
- Make decisions for anyone
- Offer legal advice
- Offer psychological counseling
- Participate in grievance procedures or any other formal process
- Testify in any judicial or administrative proceeding, unless required by law after reasonable efforts have been made to protect confidentiality
- Serve as a place to put the university on notice of claims
- Serve as an advocate for any individual or entity
Topics You May Want to Discuss
- Interpersonal difficulties
- Confidential questions on issues of potential discrimination and harassment
- Disciplinary actions
- Promotions and evaluations
- Threats and retaliation
- Formal processes for resolving issues
- Untangling complicated situations
- Communication problems
Contact Ombuds
Schedule your individual consultation.