The Office of the Ombuds for Faculty provides a confidential environment in which faculty can receive informal, impartial and independent assistance for conflict resolution. The Ombuds may also offer assistance to faculty seeking information on university conflict resolution processes. The Ombuds is prepared to assist faculty with strategies to solve problems and minimize escalation of conflicts as well as work to identify patterns of emerging issues in order to recommend university and college policy review based on these patterns. The role of the Ombuds is to offer an impartial perspective in informal resolution procedures. The Ombuds does not advocate for an individual or the institution nor attempt to mediate a dispute. The Ombuds does not replace the institution’s existing processes and resources for formal conflict resolution.