In my last post, I wrote about “Why I Am Not the Ombudsman.” If you are a fan of Star Trek in general and Leonard Nimoy in particular, you will appreciate that my next post just had to be, “Why I Am the Ombudsman.” But wait, you might think, you made such a big deal two weeks ago […]
Why I Am the Ombudsman | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsNOV. 17, 2023 In my last post, I wrote about “Why I Am Not the Ombudsman.” If you are a fan of Star Trek in general and Leonard Nimoy in particular, you will appreciate that my next post just had to be, “Why I Am the Ombudsman.” But wait, you might think, you made such a big deal
Why I’m Not the Ombudsman | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsAs I have often said, the most common issues that visitors bring—by far—to the Ombuds Office is breakdowns in communication between supervisors and those they supervise. This could be a manager and employee, chair and faculty member, or even instructor and student. And the problems flow in both directions, with both the evaluated and the
Dealing with Disappointment | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsFast on the heels of the end of September, the Ombuds Office has issued its quarterly report covering the third quarter of 2023, a busy and productive time for the office. The Ombuds Office continued to offer workshops and presentations to a variety of groups on conflict management and communication topics. Although the subject matter differs,
UNLV Ombuds Office Third Quarter 2023 Report Is Available | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsWe all probably know how it feels to be excluded. Denied entry. Left outside. Othered. Exclusion is one of the many ways that we can make others feel “less than.” It can be done without a word, done so that the person excluded isn’t even sure it has been done. Being excluded from a space or a
Inclusion Safety: The Door to Belonging | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsWe all probably know how it feels to be excluded. Denied entry. Left outside. Othered. Exclusion is one of the many ways that we can make others feel “less than.” It can be done without a word, done so that the person excluded isn’t even sure it has been done. Being excluded from a space or a
Is it Live? Why That Matters | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsI’m always looking for ways to improve, whether it’s as an ombuds, mediator, instructor, or writer. So when someone suggested that taking an improv class could help sharpen my presentation and facilitation skills, I signed up. Now, about six weeks into an eight-week course, I have come to the realization that they were right, it
Space (and lots of it) to Learn: A Personal Journey | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsIt’s that time of the summer—Fall semester is almost here. Teaching faculty, those who support them, and students are getting ready for classes. Some are looking forward to their return to campus; some never left. The important thing, though, is that the hopeful scent of preparation hangs in the air. Just framing this post has
One of my favorite things to do as UNLV’s Ombuds is to lead interactive workshops. Our office offers over a dozen different workshops on a variety of topics relating to communication and conflict resolution. As the headline implies, these workshops are designed to help participants develop interpersonal skills in a way that is interactive and, hopefully, interesting. As Ombuds, I work with
Ombuds Workshops: Interpersonal, Interactive, and Interesting | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsOne of my favorite things to do as UNLV’s Ombuds is to lead interactive workshops. Our office offers over a dozen different workshops on a variety of topics relating to communication and conflict resolution. As the headline implies, these workshops are designed to help participants develop interpersonal skills in a way that is interactive and, hopefully, interesting. As Ombuds, I work with
UNLV Ombuds Office Releases 2023 2nd Quarter Report | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsWe’ve all seen clips of adults melting down in public—screaming, shouting profanities, and otherwise acting disgracefully. If we’re honest, there’s a healthy serving of smug superiority involved, as we tell ourselves that with our level of self-control, we would never make such a spectacle of ourselves. But maybe the question we should ask is what
Four Reasons Why People Get Frustrated: Airport Edition | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsJUN. 19, 2023 In my most recent post, I talked a little about why I am shadowing folks around UNLV. I find immersing myself in other peoples’ workplace realities intellectually stimulating (there’s something invigorating about knowing with absolute certainty that you have the least relevant knowledge in the immediate area). What’s more, it helps me to
What Really Happens at the Ombuds Office? | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsJUN. 5, 2023 One of the best things about working in the Ombuds Office is getting to know a variety of people doing a many of jobs and expanding knowledge in different ways. I continue to be amazed by the sheer diversity of talents in the UNLV community. Every day, people are doing their part
Why I Want to Be Your Shadow (And You Should Too) | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsI’ve got a new From the Ombuds posted–this one looks at the why of what I do: When I mention my job (UNLV’s Ombuds, if you didn’t already know), I get a lot of questions, mostly about what I do and how. But there’s one question I rarely get asked, either because people already know
Why Do We Have an Ombuds, Anyway? | From the Ombuds Read More »
ombudsI’ve got a new column posted on From the Ombuds about one of the most common reasons people find themselves in conflict: Almost a month ago (how time flies!), a speaker at the International Ombuds Association annual conference said something that stuck with me: conflict is driven by unmet expectations. I had never considered it
Why We Are in Conflict, Reason 3: Unmet Expectations | From the Ombuds Read More »
ombudsAPR. 23, 2023 One quarter of 2023 is in the books. Let that sink in for a moment. In another three months, half the year will be gone, with so much yet to do. For better or worse, I have a quarterly report to help quantify just how much I’ve done (or haven’t done) on
UNLV Ombuds Office First Quarter 2023 Report Released | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsAPR. 10, 2023 Here’s the scene: you are about a month into a new relationship. You and your partner are strolling down a moonlit beach, antiquing in the Left Bank, striding toward the peak of Mt. Whitney, or doing whatever you think would be an intense bonding activity. Honestly, it can just be sitting at
No, We (Usually) Don’t Want to Hear About Your Ex | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsMAR. 28, 2023 I frequently get asked just what an ombuds does—almost as often as I get asked how you say it (rhymes with “Tom Suds”). For me, one of the most important aspects of the office is its informality. But what does “informal” mean in this context, and how precisely is it different from
Formal? Informal? What’s the Difference, Anyway? | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsMAR. 15, 2023 It’s spring break, but that might not mean anything to you. Which makes me think of the many calendars we use on campus, and how that highlights the diversity of programs, jobs, and experiences at UNLV—or any major university. First, we have the standard calendar. That’s the one that starts on January
Spring Break, Schedules, and Silos | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsFEB. 25, 2023 Everyone who visits the Ombuds Office to discuss a concern is unique, with responsibilities, experiences, and aspirations that they share with no one else. Yet certain patterns emerge. In 2022, 38 percent of visitors to the office had issues surrounding communication with a supervisor. That’s why I have dedicated myself to leading
When No News Is Bad News | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombuds