Serving as Binghamton University's designated neutral, the University Ombudsman's primary responsibility is to provide independent, confidential and informal assistance to the campus community.

The University Ombudsman assists individuals and groups in the resolution of problems, conflicts and crises. Collaborative dispute resolution is encouraged whenever possible and mediation services are availabe on request.

The University Ombudsman is an advocate for fairness and equity, and does not take sides on behalf of any individual or cause. While maintaining impartiality, the University Ombudsman regularly makes recommendations to University officials regarding policies, practices and procedures. The office supplements existing resources at the University - it does not duplicate them. The University Ombudsman also provides referrals to other offices and services.

At its most basic level, the University Ombudsman Office is a safe place to voice your concerns, evaluate your situation, organize your thoughts and figure out your options from talking through a problem to filing a formal grievance. The Ombudsman Office operates with strict confidentiality and keeps no records identifying visitors. It can be a good first step if you don't know where else to turn or how to proceed. As an independent, neutral, confidential and informal resource, the Ombudsman Office does not accept legal notice for Binghamton University. If you wish to go on record about a problem or put the University on notice, the University Ombudsman can offer information on how to do so.

The Ombudsman Office operates according to the International Ombudsman Association (IOA) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Founded as an independent department in June 2001, the Ombudsman Office is open to all members of the Binghamton University community, including the Research Foundation.