Office of the Ombuds

The Office of the Ombuds at Oakland University provides a safe, accessible, and supportive resource for students, faculty, and staff to address concerns, explore options, and navigate challenges within the university environment. The office does not replace existing policies or formal processes, but instead serves as a complementary space where members of the OU community can seek guidance, problem-solve, and consider constructive approaches to resolving issues.

• Neutral, independent, informal, and confidential resource:
• The Ombudsperson is a trusted campus partner who does not take sides. They operate independently of other university offices, provide informal assistance outside of official processes, and maintain strict confidentiality. This allows students, faculty, and staff to speak freely and explore options in a safe, private setting.
• Listens, guides, supports fair process:
• The Ombudsperson’s role is to listen without judgment, help clarify concerns, and guide individuals toward understanding their choices. They promote fairness and equity by explaining university policies, identifying resources, and, when appropriate, facilitating communication or informal resolution between parties.
• Not a legal advocate or decision-maker:
• The Ombudsperson does not serve as an attorney, investigator, or judge. They do not provide legal advice, represent individuals, or make binding decisions. Instead, they empower members of the OU community to navigate challenges constructively and pursue solutions that are respectful, fair, and consistent with university values.

• Rising complexity of university concerns
• Higher education today is more dynamic than ever. Students, faculty, and staff are navigating a growing range of academic, interpersonal, and organizational challenges; often crossing multiple departments or policies. The Ombudsperson Office provides a central, accessible resource where individuals can untangle these complexities, gain perspective, and identify constructive next steps.
• Neutral resolution space for faculty, staff, and students
• At times, campus community members may not feel comfortable bringing concerns directly to supervisors, instructors, or administrators. The Ombudsperson Office offers a safe and impartial environment where issues can be raised without fear of retaliation or bias. This neutral space fosters dialogue, encourages collaboration, and helps resolve conflicts at the earliest possible stage, before they escalate.
• Supports OU values: inclusion, trust, wellness
• Oakland University’s Strategic Plan calls for a culture of belonging, accountability, and care. The Ombudsperson Office directly supports these values by ensuring that every voice can be heard, by building trust through fairness and confidentiality, and by contributing to the overall well-being of the OU community. In this way, the office strengthens not only individual experiences, but also the institution’s shared mission.

• Build and improve workplace culture
• Support employees and other stakeholders
• Provide an informal and confidential space to identify and address issues
• Support those impacted by harassment
• Prevent bias and harassment issues from escalating
• Reduce complaint investigation time
• Reduce litigation costs
• Reduce employment litigation insurance premiums.  
• Improve governance
• Address interpersonal and group conflict
• Uncover and address systemic issues to create healthier organizations, and
• A myriad of other concerns

• Confidential consultations
• The Ombudsperson provides a private, off-the-record space for members of the OU community to share concerns openly. Individuals can discuss sensitive issues without fear of escalation, knowing their conversations will remain confidential to the fullest extent possible.
• Conflict coaching & facilitation
• The office helps individuals prepare for difficult conversations, develop communication strategies, and explore constructive approaches to conflict. When appropriate, the Ombudsperson may also facilitate dialogue between parties to encourage mutual understanding and collaborative resolution.
• Policy clarity and referral
• University policies and procedures can often feel complex or overwhelming. The Ombudsperson helps interpret policies in plain language, explains available options, and directs individuals to the appropriate campus resources for formal processes, specialized services, or additional support.
• Data trend analysis and reporting
• While individual cases remain confidential, the Ombudsperson tracks broad themes and systemic concerns that emerge over time. These trends are reported to university leadership to highlight potential barriers, inform decision-making, and support continuous improvement in institutional practices and culture.

• Confidentiality
• All conversations with the Ombudsperson are private to the fullest extent allowed by law. The office will not share names or identifying details without permission, except in situations involving imminent risk of serious harm or when legally required. This confidentiality creates a secure environment where students, faculty, and staff can speak candidly.
• Neutrality and Impartiality
• The Ombudsperson does not take sides or advocate for any one party. Instead, the office promotes fairness, equity, and respect for all individuals involved. By remaining impartial, the Ombudsperson helps ensure that concerns are heard objectively and that outcomes are guided by integrity and transparency.
• Independence
• To maintain objectivity, the Ombudsperson operates outside of administrative and academic decision-making structures. The office has no formal role in policy enforcement or disciplinary action and reports only broad, systemic issues, not individual cases, to leadership. This independence protects the credibility and neutrality of the role.

• Faculty & Instructors
• Faculty and instructional staff can seek assistance when questions arise about teaching, research, mentoring, or workplace interactions. The Ombudsperson offers confidential support in addressing classroom dynamics, collegial conflicts, or policy interpretation, ensuring that academic and professional standards are upheld in a fair and respectful manner.
• Administrative & Bargained Staff
• Administrative professionals and employees represented by bargaining units may encounter challenges related to workplace communication, supervisory relationships, or organizational practices. The Ombudsperson provides a neutral environment where staff can discuss these concerns, understand their options, and consider constructive approaches to resolution without fear of bias.
• Executive Leadership
• Senior leaders and administrators can also consult the Ombudsperson when seeking confidential perspectives on complex issues or when wanting to better understand the experiences of faculty, staff, or students. While the office does not engage in formal decision-making, it contributes valuable insight into trends and systemic concerns that may inform leadership strategies and institutional improvements.

Stephanie J. Lee, Ed. D.
University Ombudsperson

Dr. Lee, who has served Oakland University in a number of capacities for over 30 years, now serves as OU's inaugural ombudsperson. Her role is to help clarify policies and procedures and advise individuals on available options to resolve complaints, as well as develop and implement policies and procedures to promote fair treatment and ethical behavior.