University
of Houston Faculty
Senate
Last
updated: April 22, 2005
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UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON STAFF COUNCIL/FACULTY SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
to Institute an Ombuds Program at the University ofHouston
(Approved without dissent by the UH
Faculty Senate on April 20, 2005 and by unanimous vote by the UH Staff
Council on April 7, 2005)
WHEREAS, The University has expressed the goal of becoming
an employer of choice of both faculty and staff (hereafter called “employees”),
WHEREAS, That goal is incorporated in the University’s
Strategic Principle #6, Initiatives #21 and 24,
WHEREAS, Those sentiments are articulated in Governor
Perry’s “Best Practices for the Prevention and Detection of Fraud”, #2,
“Creating a Positive Workplace Environment,”
WHEREAS, That goal can be fostered by promoting an atmosphere
that permits employees to voice their concerns and encourages employees to
resolve misunderstandings as quickly as possible in a safe and non-judgmental
environment,
WHEREAS, Best employment practices suggest that employers
provide such an unbiased and non-threatening avenue of appeal,
WHEREAS, Best employment practices include both formal and
informal avenues of appeal,
WHEREAS, Current methods of appeal and/or grievance
available to University staff and faculty do not cover all possible problems,
WHEREAS, The loss of good employees who feel that they have
no avenue of appeal both limits the depth of experience of the university
workforce and costs money to hire and train replacements, and
WHEREAS, Some staff and faculty who feel that they have no
where to go with their complaints or that they are not being heard may take
said complaint to court, which would cost the University money for lawyer’s
fees and court costs, even if the University eventually won the lawsuit;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the University of Houston
Staff Council and Faculty Senate urges the University to establish an
Ombuds Office to handle disputes involving employees and hire an Ombudsperson
with mediation skills to run said office,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Ombudsperson report to the
Office of the President,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Ombudsperson
position/office be established as soon as possible and be funded in the FY
05-06 budget, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That both faculty and staff
representatives be involved in the selection and annual evaluation of such a
person, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That the University develop policies
and procedures that would allow and encourage faculty and staff members to use
such a system to resolve disputes.
Questions about this
page should be directed to FSenate@uh.edu
(713) 743-9181
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