The Faculty Ombuds Program was established by Chancellor Richard Byyny in 1997 in response to a resolution passed by the Boulder Faculty Assembly (BFA).   The resolution came as an effort to provide a service to faculty seeking information on university policies and as a resource for faculty to turn to when confronted with conflicts, uncertainties, and disagreements. The BFA called upon the Chancellor to create the faculty Ombuds program as an informal mechanism where the faculty could take their concerns.  Also the BFA suggested that persons appointed to the position of faculty ombudspersons be drawn from retired professors with significant experience at the university.   Faculty ombudspersons are not advocates and are not empowered to make decisions or affect changes in policy for the university.  They are a confidential and neutral resource trained in mediation and available to assist the faculty in dealing with problems and conflicts that arise in the course of their work.

Currently there are two retired faculty serving part-time as Faculty Ombudspersons.  They are:  Larry Singell formerly Dean of the College of Business and long-time faculty member in the Department of Economics and Lee Potts, long-time faculty member from the department of theatre and dance. They have coached new Chairs and new faculty members, assisted academic units preparing for periodic program review, helped faculty identify and sort through options at a time when they were unsure of how to deal with their concerns, mediated disputes between faculty colleagues, provided information about campus policies and procedures, and facilitated discussions within academic departments and programs needing assistance in solving problems and making decisions.

Lee or Larry may be contacted by phone at (303) 492-1574 or by email (PottsL@ionsky.com) or (Larry.Singell@Colorado.edu). The office is located in the ARC building, ( 3100 Marine St, in the second block east of 30th St.) in room 25.

Please note: Room 25, on the ground floor in the north east area of the ARC building, should not be confused with 25A in the south east area.