CONSULTATION
If you would like coaching and consultation as you face a difficult situation or concern, come meet with us.
In an individual meeting, an Ombuds will work with you to:
- Better understand the issue
- Offer an impartial perspective
- Brainstorm ways to address your concern
- Develop a strategy that feels most comfortable to you
- Share communication and conflict management tools and techniques
- Identify policies, offices, and resources that might be helpful to you
- Provide conflict management and leadership coaching as you work through your situation
All meetings with an Ombuds are voluntary and confidential.
To schedule an appointment, please email us at aumbuds@auburn.edu or call us at (334) 844-7174.
INFORMAL MEDIATION
Mediation is an informal, voluntary, facilitated discussion involving two or more participants in a conflict. Mediation aims to give the parties involved an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the underlying interests and issues, and to work towards a resolution agreeable to both individuals
Auburn’s two ombuds are trained, registered mediators who structure the conversation and impartially facilitate communication to help the parties share their stories and listen to one another.
Mediation is a voluntary process and requires all participants to first meet individually with an ombuds to discuss their concerns and prepare for mediation. Participants may opt out at any point in the process, and the Ombuds reserves the right not to move forward with mediation if they believe it is unlikely to be helpful.
The Ombuds will keep all discussions confidential. The parties may negotiate and sign a written confidentiality agreement if they wish.
See our FAQs for more information or contact the Ombuds Office at aumbuds@auburn.edu or (334) 844-7174.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
AWARENESS
We would love to come to your staff or faculty meeting, student organization, event, or classroom to talk about our services.
SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS
The Ombuds Office offers a variety of seminars and workshops designed to help improve conflict management and communication skills, build trust and team cohesion, and increase understanding of human behaviors and how to respond to them.
Seminars and workshops are available at no charge to units and members associated with Auburn University.
With advanced notice, the office can tailor specialized workshops to your organization’s needs.
For more information about education and training, contact us at aumbuds@auburn.edu or (334) 844-7174.
EXAMPLES OF WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS
The Ombuds Office commonly offers the following seminars:
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- Basic Conflict Management Techniques
- Teamwork: Building Results Collaboratively and Amicably
- Understanding Bullying and Mobbing
- Working with High Conflict Persons
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- The Art and Productive Capacity of Active Listening
- Identifying Underlying Interests: Tips from Nature, History, and the Cinema
- Intercultural Communication: Working with People from Different Countries
- Using Meetings to Drive Teamwork
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