The WashU Ombuds Resource
Confidential, impartial, independent, and informal support for WashU staff, postdocs, and navigating university-related concerns and conflict.
A trusted place to talk through challenges, explore options, and find constructive ways forward.
What Is the Ombuds Resource?
The ombuds is an independent, informal resource for discussing university-related concerns, exploring options, and navigating difficult situations. You can bring questions, challenges, or conflicts of any kind and work through them in a thoughtful, low-risk way.
How the Ombuds Resource Can Help
How We Can Help
- Listen and provide a confidential space to talk
- Help you clarify concerns and explore options
- Prepare for and navigate difficult conversations
- Identify helpful resources and next steps
- Surface patterns and concerns anonymously to leadership
What We Do Not Do
- Conduct formal investigations
- Make decisions or enforce outcomes
- Advocate for any one person or the university
- Replace Human Resources or legal processes
- Receive official notice for the university
- Keep records that identify you
Ways We Can Support You
In addition to one-on-one support, the ombuds offers a range of services to help individuals, teams, and the university navigate conflict and work more effectively.
One-on-One Conversations
A confidential space to talk through concerns, clarify options, and prepare for next steps.
Facilitated Conversations
Support for constructive, forward-looking conversations between individuals.
Team and Group Support
Facilitation and support for teams working through challenges, communication issues, or conflict.
Workshops and Training
Practical sessions on communication, feedback, conflict management, and workplace skills.
Organizational Insight
Identifying patterns and trends to inform improvements in systems, practices, and workplace culture.
What Makes An Ombuds Different
The ombuds operates according to four core principles that help create a safe, fair, and trusted experience.
Confidential
The ombuds will not share what you discuss, or even that you met, without your permission, except in rare situations involving imminent risk of serious harm.
Impartial
The ombuds does not take sides for any individual or the university.
Informal
The ombuds is an off-the-record resource and does not participate in formal processes.
Independent
The ombuds operates outside management structures and is not part of formal reporting channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
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More Questions
What is the ombuds resource?
The ombuds is an independent, informal resource for discussing university-related concerns, exploring options, and navigating difficult situations in a confidential setting.
Are there limits to confidentiality?
Confidentiality is maintained except in rare situations involving imminent risk of serious harm or where required by law.
Do I need to prepare before reaching out?
No preparation is required. You can come as you are and talk through your situation.
Still have a question? Contact the ombuds team.
Meet Your Ombuds
LaCrisia “Cris” Gilbert
WashU Ombuds
Cris has served as both an organizational and advocate ombuds and brings more than 30 years of experience in mediation, facilitation, training, and conflict resolution. She has worked in universities, government, and long-term care settings helping faculty, staff, and students navigate workplace and academic concerns with confidentiality and care.
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Scott Deyo
WashU Ombuds
Scott has nearly three decades of experience in conflict resolution across universities, nonprofits, and federal agencies. He has mediated hundreds of workplace disputes and helped thousands of people explore options for addressing communication, policy, and workplace concerns.
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Leslie Kellogg
Washington University Ombuds
Leslie Kellogg supports faculty, staff, and students in navigating workplace and academic concerns confidentially and informally. She brings deep experience in mediation, facilitation, and helping individuals explore options to address conflict and strengthen communication.
View full profile →What People Are Saying
Feedback from individuals who have worked with an ombuds.
“Without the ombuds resource, I would not have asked for things that I needed and would have communicated my needs in a completely different way. I also did not feel confident to move forward and would have hesitated..”
“The ombuds is awesome and so is this program. I had no idea this existed and I'm so thankful I found it.”
“The most helpful part was finding ways to communicate clearly, calmly, and confidently. Additionally, I now know how to move forward.”
Contact an Ombuds Team Member
Submit a confidential request to connect with an ombuds. A member of the ombuds team will respond within one business day.
Your submission is confidential.
The ombuds resource operates under a charter approved by the Executive Vice Chancellor and follows the International Ombuds Association Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. View the charter →