OMBUDS
The word “ombudsman” comes from Sweden and means “representative of the people”. Meharry Medical College has created an ombuds program to help students, residents, faculty and staff resolve issues and promote fair and equal treatment for all members of the MMC community. Rev. Robert Hall serves as MMC’s ombudsman.
Rev. Robert Hall, Ombudsmen
Rev. Hall serves as chaplain and special advisor to the president at Meharry Medical College. He is also the newly appointed organizational ombuds at Meharry Medical College. brings a wealth of personal experience as a spiritual leader, entrepreneur, and former educator.
Purpose of the Office of the Ombuds
The ombudsman’s services are:
- Confidential – No written records are kept and all information shared during individual contact with ombudsmen remains private, except in cases of direct threat of physical harm to self or others.
- Informal – The Ombudsman is a voluntary “behind the scenes” sounding board or consultant; but is not a “notified officer” of the MMC for filing or deciding formal complaints, grievances, appeals or disciplinary proceedings.
- Independent – The Ombudsman program is not part of MMC’s formal administrative chain of command, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the President report only general issue trends and other aggregate data (without identifying individuals).
- Impartial – The Ombudsman remains objective and impartial when responding to individual complaints. The Ombudsman advocates for fair practices but does not serve as an individual’s designated advocate or spokesperson in a dispute or complaint.
Role of the Ombudsman
The role includes:
- Listening and discussing questions, concerns and complaints
- Help in evaluating possible options
- Expanding the number of options available
- Explanation of College and school policies and procedures
- Referrals to relevant individuals or authorities
- Gathering information on an informal basis
- Coaching individuals to resolve their own problems informally
- Informal facilitation of meetings between individuals in conflict
- Conflict mediation
- Help visitors make complaints to others upon request
- Referring to a formal complaint when informal processes have been exhausted (e.g. filing a grievance or complaint)
The role does not include
- Adjudicating or participating in formal grievance processes
- Testifying in any legal proceeding instituted
- Administrative or academic decision-making for others
- Making decisions about the guilt or wrongdoing of anyone involved
- Investigations of a formal nature
- Providing legal advice
- Psychological counseling or therapy
- Serves as a Meharry Medical College notification office or as a place to file a grievance or complaint or register a problem.
Contact the Ombuds Office
Rev. Robert Hall, Ombudsman
Call: 615.327.6975
Email: rhall@mmc.edu