Introducing informal informality
Exploring the reasons I’m starting a new blog, and explaining what it means.
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informed informalityInterview: Jeff Does Vegas Podcast
I was recently interview by the host of the Jeff Does Vegas podcast about the history of the Tropicana. You can watch (or just listen if you minimize this tab) the whole thing here: I have been talking about the Tropicana quite a bit lately. I imagine that I will be doing so for the
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interviewReturning to Campus–and Conflict | From the Ombuds
Originally published OCT. 22, 2021 I was fortunate to attend the Faculty Senate Retreat yesterday morning as a guest. This was the first Faculty Senate meeting I’ve attended in person, if memory serves, since February 2020. Much of the discussion centered on the uncertainties around classroom instruction in the upcoming semester, enforcement of mask mandates,
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsNew Audiobook: Boardwalk Playground
With all of the excitement around the International Ombuds Association‘s annual conference and the work needing attention upon my return home, I haven’t yet had a chance to share some moderately exciting personal news. Well, I haven’t had the chance until now, so here goes. My book Boardwalk Playground: The Making, Remaking, and Unmaking of
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atlantic city, author, bookYou’re Not Happy; When Do You Do Something? | From the Ombuds
As UNLV’s Ombuds I tend to talk with people who aren’t happy about something or many things. Every case is different, but generally those who visit the Ombuds Office are facing a conflict of some type. One of the biggest questions they have is, “When is it time to do something about it?” And my
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsThree More Takeaways from the Annual Report: Who, What, and How? | From the Ombuds
I have gotten a few questions about the UNLV Ombuds Office 2023 Annual Report, particularly about trends—how have concerns brought to the office shifted over the past three years? So I would like to take some time to discuss what I see when I look at the numbers, focusing on three big takeaways. First, I would
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsOmbuds Office Releases 2023 Annual Report | From the Ombuds
We’re well into January, which means that the Ombuds Annual Report for 2023 has been completed. I want to talk with you a little about the report itself, and a little about UNLV since December 6. Because, in a way that I don’t know anyone was prepared for, the tragic murder of three faculty members and the
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsFinding What’s Next | From the Ombuds
It has been nearly a month since we lost three of our teachers, colleagues, and friends in a senseless shooting, and it is still difficult to know what to say and what to do. The UNLV community has been through a traumatic event for which we have few guides. And very soon spring semester will
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsMoving Forward Together | From the Ombuds
For my last post of calendar 2023, I had planned on a retrospective of the year, looking at some of the issues brought to the Ombuds Office and discussing options for resolving them. Then December 6 happened. President Whitfield has called it an “unfathomable tragedy,” which is apt. Three members of our community–Dr. Jerry Cha-Jan
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author, From the Ombuds ArchiveStanding Against Academic Bullying | From the Ombuds
Recently, UNLV’s Ombuds Office partnered with the Graduate College to provide resources for graduate and professional students (and others) who feel that they have been subject to academic bullying. I would like to briefly explore what academic bullying is and what we can do about it. To sum up the definition on the Graduate College’s Stand Together Against
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsWhy I Am the Ombudsman | From the Ombuds
In my last post, I wrote about “Why I Am Not the Ombudsman.” If you are a fan of Star Trek in general and Leonard Nimoy in particular, you will appreciate that my next post just had to be, “Why I Am the Ombudsman.” But wait, you might think, you made such a big deal two weeks ago
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsWhy I’m Not the Ombudsman | From the Ombuds
NOV. 17, 2023 In my last post, I wrote about “Why I Am Not the Ombudsman.” If you are a fan of Star Trek in general and Leonard Nimoy in particular, you will appreciate that my next post just had to be, “Why I Am the Ombudsman.” But wait, you might think, you made such a big deal
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsDealing with Disappointment | From the Ombuds
As I have often said, the most common issues that visitors bring—by far—to the Ombuds Office is breakdowns in communication between supervisors and those they supervise. This could be a manager and employee, chair and faculty member, or even instructor and student. And the problems flow in both directions, with both the evaluated and the
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsUNLV Ombuds Office Third Quarter 2023 Report Is Available | From the Ombuds
Fast on the heels of the end of September, the Ombuds Office has issued its quarterly report covering the third quarter of 2023, a busy and productive time for the office. The Ombuds Office continued to offer workshops and presentations to a variety of groups on conflict management and communication topics. Although the subject matter differs,
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsInclusion Safety: The Door to Belonging | From the Ombuds
We all probably know how it feels to be excluded. Denied entry. Left outside. Othered. Exclusion is one of the many ways that we can make others feel “less than.” It can be done without a word, done so that the person excluded isn’t even sure it has been done. Being excluded from a space or a
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsIs it Live? Why That Matters | From the Ombuds
I’m going to really date myself here. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, a series of commercials for Memorex tapes asked the question, “Is it live…or is it Memorex?” See, there used to be audio and video cassette tapes that you could use to record music and video, respectively. The commercials were supposed to convince consumers that Memorex’s
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsSpace (and lots of it) to Learn: A Personal Journey | From the Ombuds
I’m always looking for ways to improve, whether it’s as an ombuds, mediator, instructor, or writer. So when someone suggested that taking an improv class could help sharpen my presentation and facilitation skills, I signed up. Now, about six weeks into an eight-week course, I have come to the realization that they were right, it
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsPreparing: Making Useless Plans, or Considering Multiple Possibilities? | From the Ombuds
It’s that time of the summer—Fall semester is almost here. Teaching faculty, those who support them, and students are getting ready for classes. Some are looking forward to their return to campus; some never left. The important thing, though, is that the hopeful scent of preparation hangs in the air. Just framing this post has
Ombuds Workshops: Interpersonal, Interactive, and Interesting | From the Ombuds
One of my favorite things to do as UNLV’s Ombuds is to lead interactive workshops. Our office offers over a dozen different workshops on a variety of topics relating to communication and conflict resolution. As the headline implies, these workshops are designed to help participants develop interpersonal skills in a way that is interactive and, hopefully, interesting. As Ombuds, I work with
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsUNLV Ombuds Office Releases 2023 2nd Quarter Report | From the Ombuds
One of my favorite things to do as UNLV’s Ombuds is to lead interactive workshops. Our office offers over a dozen different workshops on a variety of topics relating to communication and conflict resolution. As the headline implies, these workshops are designed to help participants develop interpersonal skills in a way that is interactive and, hopefully, interesting. As Ombuds, I work with
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From the Ombuds Archive, ombuds