Directories
Popular Keywords
Gallaudet University
Who We Are
Our Work
Overview
News & Stories
Nov 20, 2024
Upcoming Events
December 5, 2024
December 7, 2024
University Wide Events
No Communication Compromises
Areas of Study
Schools
Programs
Changing the world
Research
Community & Innovation
Research Experiences & Services
Our Global Presence
Global at Home
Global Learning For All
Global Engagement
Your Journey Starts Here
Admissions
Financial Aid
Explore Our Campus
Connect
Discover
Influence
Explore
Quick Links
News
Departments
Meet the Team
Information
FAQs
Contact
GU
/
Ombuds
Ely Center 113
(202) 559-5079
Email Us
The Interim Ombuds Team consists of diverse experienced bilingual professionals dedicated to providing confidential support to our University community. With various backgrounds, they are here to assist students, faculty, staff, teachers, leaders, and alumni in navigating challenges and resolving conflicts during this transitional period from November 4, 2024 to January 31, 2025.
SooHyun Tak SooHyun Tak, ‘90, ‘93, & G-’95, Deaf Korean American Female, has over 30 years of experience in the public, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. She is an independent consultant, facilitator, and trainer specializing in DEI and multicultural organizational development. Previously as a faculty member at Gallaudet University in the Departments of Counseling and Psychology, she also served as a restorative practice facilitator and mediator in the University Office of Ombuds. Holding a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, her background encompasses extensive work in mental health and advocacy in both front-line provider and supervisory roles, equipping her with the knowledge and skills to drive meaningful change in diverse organizational contexts.Days/Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:30A to 4:30P. Please schedule your meeting on this link: https://calendly.com/ombudstak
Ashley MeyerAshley Meyer (she/her), white female CODA, has been the Associate Ombuds at the Rochester Institute of Technology since 2019. She has worked at RIT for 13 years, prior to the Ombuds Office, she was in Residence Life and Academic Advising. Ashley earned her MBA from RIT in 2011 and her Bachelor’s degree from Lycoming College in 2008. Preferred pronouns are she/her/hers.Days/Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4P to 8P. Please schedule your meeting on this link: https://calendly.com/akmrla-rit
Malibu Barron Malibu Barron (she/her), ‘11, ‘13 a Deaf Multiracial Woman who is a mother of three Deaf children, a current third-year doctoral student studying at Texas State University under Community and Educational Leadership, and a strategist to impact systematic inequality on multiple levels. She believes that conflicts are a necessary part of growth through becoming comfortable with discomfort. Malibu embodies a calming force to hold multiple truths to create authentic and meaningful changes in schools, communities, and corporations. Days/Hours: Weekly schedule varies. Please use the link for this week’s hours https://calendly.com/ombuds-malibu
Jennifer Schneider, Ph.D., CO-OP®Jennifer, white hearing female, started her career as a teacher, earning a bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education from Flagler College, interning at FSDB, and then teaching students who were Deaf or hard of hearing in the public school system. She later taught at the high school and college levels. Working with college students in this capacity piqued her interest in higher education, eventually leading her to pursue a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration. She has since worked in a number of faculty and administrative roles at various colleges and universities in Florida. She is currently an organizational ombuds at the University of South Florida, a position she has held since 2015. Jennifer is a Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner (CO-OP®), and she is wholly committed to the principles that guide that work – confidentiality, impartiality, informality, and independence.Days/Hours: Mondays through Thursdays from 8A to 10:30A. Please schedule your meeting on this link: https://calendly.com/jasschneider1
The Office of the Ombuds at Gallaudet University serves as your first stop, last resort, or everything in between to discuss concerns confidentially and informally. You will have the opportunity to be seen, heard, and engaged in coming up with options or a plan of action to address your concerns.
We serve undergraduate, graduate, and international students, staff, faculty, alumni, families of students, and other University community members who are having issues that stem from university policies, practices, and relationships. Anyone is welcome. When you visit us, you will
You can! Please see below for the Interim Ombuds Team’s days and hours:
September 15, 2022
March 6, 2022
The Ombuds Office is a confidential, informal, impartial and independent resource for all of the University members. The Ombuds Office is meant to be a place where students, employees and University community members can go to address concerns or questions without fear of retaliation or...
As announced by the Office of Risk Management, Gallaudet University has launched a whistleblower hotline to report any possible misconduct pertinent to Gallaudet University and Clerc Center. This mechanism has been implemented in order to encourage and enable good-faith reports of observed or suspected misconduct...
Learn more about the various services offered by the Office of the Ombuds.
The Ombuds provides you with a confidential, informal, neutral and independent place to: Develop options Obtain referrals Clarify University policies and procedures Identify tools to achieve academic, professional, and personal success Focus on the issues, not people or personalities Work collaboratively to address problems...
As prescribed by the International Ombuds Association (IOA): The IOA Standards of Practice are based upon and derived from the ethical principles stated in the IOA Code of Ethics. Each Ombuds office should have an organizational Charter or Terms of Reference, approved by senior management,...
As prescribed by the International Ombuds Association (IOA): The IOA is dedicated to excellence in the practice of Ombuds work. The IOA Code of Ethics provides a common set of professional ethical principles to which members adhere in their organizational Ombuds practice. Based on the...
Student Handbook Interim Gender-Based and Sexual Misconduct Policy Hazing Policy Alcohol and Other Drugs Policies Section 504/ADA Grievance Procedure for Students EEO/Affirmative Action Technology Policy Service Animal Policy Student Grievance Office of Student Conduct Disciplinary Proceedings Hearing Procedures for Student Organizations Mediation as offered by the Office of...
As an advocate for fairness, the Ombuds Office shares information on institutional policies and provides guidance to our visitors in navigating conflicts and other issues. This is to support the visitor in developing a better understanding of the system at the university and learning alternative...
The Ombuds may be consulted to address conflicts related to academic and non-academic issues. Common instances of academic issues may include conflicts between students and faculty members, allegations of inappropriate comments or conduct, and questions about academic policies and procedures.
The Ombuds reports to the President of Gallaudet University. Upon request, the Ombuds sends reports in various formats to the President and other adminstrators. These reports typically list the concerns received by the office and general demographics of the visitors in a way which carefully maintains the confidentiality and anonymity of its visitors. Annual reports are posted on the Ombuds’ website at https://gallaudet.edu/ombuds/ombuds-reports/ .
The Ombuds will keep your identity confidential unless there is an imminent risk of serious harm. In other words, if a person’s physical safety is in grave danger, confidentiality cannot be maintained. Confidentiality is maintained for all other situations, unless express permission is granted by the visitor. To make a completely anonymous report, the visitor may make a non-traceable online report by using the ombuds’ webpage. Please know that if the reports are completely anonymous, the ombuds may not be able assist comprehensively in addressing these reports. The visitor also has the option to file an anonymous report through the campus whistleblower mechanism.
The Ombuds may provide only informal assistance, and cannot compel disciplinary actions or involuntary meetings. The Ombuds may conduct voluntary mediation and facilitation, confidential meetings, and conflict management training. The Ombuds also reviews policies and makes recommendations for change. Moreover, the Ombuds may provide notice to university administrators regarding systemic trends and patterns.
The Ombuds serves all members of the Gallaudet University campus community: students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, families, applicants, and others as appropriate. In other words, the Ombuds’ services are not limited only to students.
If the visitor is a member of the campus community, there is no wrong reason to visit the Ombuds Office. The Ombuds regularly receives concerns regarding the nine following categories as set by the International Ombuds Association (IOA):
For more information, you may visit the ombuds office’s website at: https://gallaudet.edu/ombuds/. For specific questions and requests for appointments, please contact us here.
ou may also visit the office at Ely Center, Room 113. Normal business hours are 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, but because hours vary to accommodate the schedules of visitors, it would be best to send an email first to schedule an appointment.
Chief of Staff
(202) 448-7175