{"683719":{"#nid":"683719","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Launches Office of the Ombuds","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is pleased to announce the establishment of the Office of the Ombuds, an independent and impartial resource for students, faculty, staff, and postdocs. The ombuds serves as a trusted advisor \u2014 someone you can speak with informally about Institute-related concerns and conflicts. Whether you are facing a difficult situation at school or work, are unsure how to navigate a disagreement, or you need someone to help you think through your options, the ombuds is here to support you.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ombuds can help you:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClarify issues and explore ways to resolve them.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EImprove communication with others.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIdentify and evaluate options.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUnderstand relevant Institute policies and processes.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPrepare for difficult conversations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs a neutral\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003Eand confidential resource, the ombuds does not take sides or make formal decisions. Instead, they advocate for fairness, helping individuals feel heard and empowered to act, while also supporting the Institute by reducing conflict, improving engagement, and surfacing systemic concerns. All communication with the ombuds is kept confidential except in limited circumstances when legal or imminent safety concerns require disclosure. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am passionate about this work because I get to help people find paths forward that improve their mental health, professional relationships, and overall success,\u201d said Georgia Tech Ombuds Dona Yarbrough. \u201cAt the same time, the Institute benefits through reduced conflict, improved communication, and more informed decision-making. Research has also shown that ombuds programs help organizations save money by avoiding the costs associated with unresolved workplace conflict; miscommunication; and student, faculty, and staff disengagement.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Office of the Ombuds is available to all members of the Georgia Tech community. It is not part of any formal grievance process, and contacting the office does not trigger an investigation. Instead, it offers an opportunity for off-the-record conversation, reflection, and consultation. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo learn more, including how to schedule a confidential appointment, visit \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/ombuds\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Egatech.edu\/ombuds\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech is pleased to announce the establishment of the Office of the Ombuds, an independent and impartial resource for students, faculty, staff, and postdocs.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech is pleased to announce the establishment of the Office of the Ombuds, an independent and impartial resource for students, faculty, staff, and postdocs. "}],"uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2025-08-11 20:33:35","changed_gmt":"2025-08-11 20:38:46","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-08-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-08-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"677651":{"id":"677651","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech Ombuds Dona Yarbrough","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech Ombuds Dona Yarbrough consults with a Georgia Tech employee.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1754944503","gmt_created":"2025-08-11 20:35:03","changed":"1754944503","gmt_changed":"2025-08-11 20:35:03","alt":"Photo of Georgia Tech Ombuds Dona Yarbrough","file":{"fid":"261570","name":"26-4901-Ombuds010.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/11\/26-4901-Ombuds010.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/08\/11\/26-4901-Ombuds010.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1608261,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/08\/11\/26-4901-Ombuds010.jpeg?itok=sBYaAmOZ"}}},"media_ids":["677651"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/ombuds","title":"Office of the Ombuds"}],"groups":[{"id":"64319","name":"Administration and Finance"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERachael Pocklington\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["rpocklington@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}