Early in my ombuds career, I was told that conflict, more often than not, is driven by unmet expectations. Talking with participants in dozens, if not hundreds of large and small conflicts through, I absolutely agree. Almost always, unsatisfied expectations, whether verbalized or not, are at the root of interpersonal and even institutional issues. One […]
Do Expectations Push or Punish Us? Read More »
informed informalityExploring the reasons I’m starting a new blog, and explaining what it means.
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informed informalityAs 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
You’re Not Happy; When Do You Do Something? | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsI 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
Three More Takeaways from the Annual Report: Who, What, and How? | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsWe’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
Ombuds Office Releases 2023 Annual Report | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsIt 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
Finding What’s Next | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsRecently, 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
Standing Against Academic Bullying | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsIn 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
Why I Am the Ombudsman | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsNOV. 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
Why I’m Not the Ombudsman | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsFast 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,
UNLV Ombuds Office Third Quarter 2023 Report Is Available | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsI’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
Is it Live? Why That Matters | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsI’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
Space (and lots of it) to Learn: A Personal Journey | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsIt’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
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
Ombuds Workshops: Interpersonal, Interactive, and Interesting | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsOne 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
UNLV Ombuds Office Releases 2023 2nd Quarter Report | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsJUN. 19, 2023 In my most recent post, I talked a little about why I am shadowing folks around UNLV. I find immersing myself in other peoples’ workplace realities intellectually stimulating (there’s something invigorating about knowing with absolute certainty that you have the least relevant knowledge in the immediate area). What’s more, it helps me to
What Really Happens at the Ombuds Office? | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsJUN. 5, 2023 One of the best things about working in the Ombuds Office is getting to know a variety of people doing a many of jobs and expanding knowledge in different ways. I continue to be amazed by the sheer diversity of talents in the UNLV community. Every day, people are doing their part
Why I Want to Be Your Shadow (And You Should Too) | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsI’ve got a new From the Ombuds posted–this one looks at the why of what I do: When I mention my job (UNLV’s Ombuds, if you didn’t already know), I get a lot of questions, mostly about what I do and how. But there’s one question I rarely get asked, either because people already know
Why Do We Have an Ombuds, Anyway? | From the Ombuds Read More »
ombudsAPR. 23, 2023 One quarter of 2023 is in the books. Let that sink in for a moment. In another three months, half the year will be gone, with so much yet to do. For better or worse, I have a quarterly report to help quantify just how much I’ve done (or haven’t done) on
UNLV Ombuds Office First Quarter 2023 Report Released | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombudsAPR. 10, 2023 Here’s the scene: you are about a month into a new relationship. You and your partner are strolling down a moonlit beach, antiquing in the Left Bank, striding toward the peak of Mt. Whitney, or doing whatever you think would be an intense bonding activity. Honestly, it can just be sitting at
No, We (Usually) Don’t Want to Hear About Your Ex | From the Ombuds Read More »
From the Ombuds Archive, ombuds