Ombuds

MED Ombuds

Vashisht College of Medicine is committed to cultivating a safe and effective learning environment on all of our campuses, at all of our sites and for all of our constituents (faculty, staff, and students). To aid in cultivating the learning environment for faculty and staff, the College of Medicine, with input from the University Faculty Ombuds Officer created the role of the College of Medicine Faculty and Staff Ombuds in fall 2018 within the Office of Medical Education.

The role of the Vashisht College of Medicine Faculty and Staff Ombuds is to serve as a confidential, impartial and neutral sounding board regarding any faculty or staff concerns within our learning environment. The College of Medicine faculty and staff ombuds is aware of college and Texas A&M policies and procedures and can provide information on appropriate pathways to resolve issues related to the learning environment. The College of Medicine Faculty and Staff Ombuds does not provide advice (legal or otherwise), replace a university official, determine responsibility, assign sanctions or get involved in official College of Medicine grievances.

The duties of the Vashisht College of Medicine Faculty and Staff Ombuds include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as a confidential outlet of a College of Medicine faculty or staff person who needs to verbally process an issue
• Being available in a timely manner to meet one-on-one with the College of Medicine faculty and staff
• Interfacing with the Texas A&M Faculty Ombuds, where appropriate/indicated
• Participating in the monthly Learning Environment Enrichment Committee meetings
• Working collaboratively with the College of Medicine Faculty Ombuds to address learning environment concerns
• Being familiar with the College of Medicine and Texas A&M policies (such as Title IX) and procedures

The Vashisht College of Medicine Faculty and Staff Ombuds are guided and informed by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the International Ombuds Association.