Date Published: February 20, 2013

The Faculty Executive Committee is seeking nominations for the combined Position of Faculty Ombuds and University Mediation Coordinator.

Qualifications of the Ombuds

The Ombuds will be a senior and tenured member of the faculty who has undergone formal training through the International Ombudsman Association (IOA).  The Ombuds must follow the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the IOA.  The Ombuds must participate in continuing professional education during his or her term of office.

At a minimum, the person selected as the Ombuds should have good listening and communication skills, disposed to be fair-minded, diplomatic, comfortable speaking to people with varying backgrounds, and sensitive to issues of diversity.

Term of Office

The Ombuds will serve a three-year renewable term.  The position will require a commitment of 50% effort.   Although most faculty are on nine-month contracts, conflicts requiring resolution may require attention during the summer months.  To accommodate the need for access during the summer, a stipend will be provided for the Ombuds.

For additional information, please visit the University Ombuds Office website.

University Mediation Coordinator

The University Mediation Coordinator (UMC) is a faculty office created as a result of the "Procedures for Resolving Faculty Grievances Arising from Section 607(3) of The Code of The University of North Carolina." Section V. of that document is copied below.

Characteristics of the UMC

The candidate will be a senior member of the faculty.  S/he will have knowledge of the UNC Charlotte mediation process through instruction by the Office of General Counsel. The UMC will hold permanent tenure, probably (not necessarily) be a full professor, and ideally be a person with a reputation for impartiality and fairness with both faculty and administrators. The UMC will need to be a good communicator and a problem-solver who can keep up with details and make sure deadlines are met.

Job Description

The duties of the UMC are specified in the "Procedures for Resolving Faculty Grievances Arising from Section 607(3) of The Code of The University of North Carolina."  The main elements of the job are:1) Receive the grievance petition 2) Assist the training of mediators; 3) Maintain a list of approved mediators and present parties of a grievance a list of five or seven mediators; 4) Establish dates, time, location of mediation sessions; 5) Oversee the required mediation steps until the mediation process is completed.

Appointment of the UMC

The Faculty President issues a call for nominations for UMC with a closing date. A list of nominations is presented to the Faculty Executive Committee which then selects those nominees it wishes to interview.  FEC conducts brief interviews with the candidates selected, discussing such matters as the candidates' interest and experience relating to the position of UMC.  FEC makes its recommendation to the Faculty President.  The Faculty President appoints the UMC.  The UMC shall not serve on any departmental or college reappointment, promotion, or tenure committee, or on either the Faculty Hearings or Faculty Grievance Committees concurrent with appointment as the UMC, and shall not be an active participant or advisor on behalf of any party in any grievance during his or her term(s) as UMC.  

Nominations

To nominate someone (or yourself) for the combined position of Faculty Ombuds and UMC, please contact Ed Jernigan at 7-7659 or ejernign@uncc.edu, or send nominations to your representative on the Faculty Executive Committee.  The closing date is Friday March 8, 2013.