Section I

1.1  WHEREAS the UO Senate passed Resolution Number US 12/13-22 on March 13, 2013 to support the addition of an Ombuds Program and Office;

1.2  WHEREAS Resolution Number US 12/13-22 states, “The office shall be established and maintained according to the confidentiality, ethics, standards, and best practices of the International Ombudsman Association (IOA), the national industry leader in this field”;

1.3  WHEREAS Resolution Number US 12/13-22 states, “The Ombuds Office shall be filled by active IOA members”;

1.4  WHEREAS the job announcement and position description for the UO Ombuds states that the position be filled by an active IOA member;

1.5  WHEREAS the job announcement for the UO Ombuds states a minimum requirement of, “Demonstrated knowledge of professional ombuds standards, codes of ethics, procedures, and principles”;

1.6  WHEREAS the UO Senate Task Force to Address Sexual Violence and Survivor Support recommends in its final report that the Ombuds Office be established according to the confidentiality, ethics, standards, and best practices of the IOA on October 22, 2014;

1.7  WHEREAS a confidential Ombuds Program and Office provides a safe environment for survivors and complainants to explore all options available to them without fear of their story being told, especially if they wish that it remains private;

1.8  WHEREAS a confidential Ombuds Program and Office will offer the only truly confidential service on campus for both staff and faculty members;

1.9 WHEREAS an outstanding Ombudsperson was hired and accepted the job based on the requirements and understandings outlined above, and is currently on campus waiting to uphold and fulfill the obligations and responsibilities specified in the job description, as well as in the contract for the position;

Section II

2.1 BE IT HEREBY MOVED that the UO Senate thanks the University President and the UO Board of Trustees for fulfilling our university’s commitment to establish an Ombuds Program and Office that, without exception, practices to the scope and standards of confidentiality, neutrality, and independence as expressed in the code of ethics, standards of practice of the IOA, as recounted in Section I above and in documents provided below under “Supporting Documents”.