When the UO Ombuds Program celebrates its new location with an open house this week, it will further fulfill its original promise of providing a comfortable setting for students, faculty and staff to seek confidential assistance addressing challenges.

The office will host an open house at its new location at 1685 E. 17th St. from 3-5 p.m., Wednesday, May 18, to not only show off the space, but also to showcase the benefits of the location to visitors.

“Our current location was always temporary and not suited to meeting groups of visitors,” said Jen Reynolds, the interim ombuds.  “Some visitors were not comfortable with our location because Anstett Hall is such a central and public building. For an ombuds office, something less visible is preferable.”

The Ombuds Program provides confidential, impartial, independent and informal conflict management assistance to the University of Oregon community and works with individual visitors and also with groups, including teams and departments. Additionally, the office provides non-identifying feedback to university leadership on trends and concerns in the community.

The new space behind the fire station on Agate Street is easy to find and sits on the edge of campus. It will also have space for larger group meetings and mediations — important parts of the practice.

“We are fortunate to find a space that affords our visitors easy access and safeguards their privacy,” Reynolds said. “Our new location will help us continue to provide a high level of confidentiality and support to the campus community.”

Visitors to the open house will be eligible to win a gift certificate from Sweet Life Desserts.

To use the Ombuds Program, confidential appointments can be scheduled by calling 541-346-6400 or at ombuds@uoregon.edu.

— By Tobin J. Klinger, University Communications