Welcome
Dr. Alison Chrisler is the university's inaugural Faculty Ombuds. Her scholarship and clinical work have long centered on navigating sensitive, high-stakes interpersonal dynamics, including supporting hospitalized children and their families through their most vulnerable moments as a Certified Child Life Specialist. At American University, she has served on the Faculty Senate Committee on Faculty Grievance, including as its Chair, giving her direct, firsthand experience with the formal processes of dispute and fairness that sit at the heart of ombuds work. Her service as a Faculty Senator has deepened her understanding of the concerns and pressures that faculty navigate across the university, while her previous role as Director of Undergraduate Programs has cultivated a deep practice of listening carefully to faculty needs within the structures and demands of academic life.
Role of the Faculty Ombuds
When you meet with the Faculty Ombuds, you can expect a private conversation grounded in four professional principles:
- Confidentiality: What you share stays in the office, and the Faculty Ombuds will not disclose identifying information or confidential communications unless there appears to be imminent risk of serious harm or as otherwise required by law.
- Independence: The Faculty Ombuds sits outside the university’s formal decision-making chain, so no one can direct what you discuss or how it’s handled.
- Impartiality: The Faculty Ombuds doesn’t pick a side. The goal is to help you see your situation clearly and weigh your options.
- Informality: Conversations here are off the record. The Faculty Ombuds doesn’t open investigations or participate in formal proceedings.
Who Can Use This Office
- All faculty (adjunct and full-time)
Common Reasons to Reach Out
- Conflict with a colleague, department chair, or administrator
- Questions about policies or procedures
- Concerns about fairness, communication, or workplace climate
- Unsure where to go or who to talk to
- Need a sounding board that is confidential
What the Ombuds Can Do
- Listen and help you think through your concerns
- Identify university policies, procedures, and resources
- Help you think through and weigh your options
- Coach you on preparing for a difficult conversation
- Refer you to the appropriate office or resource
- Facilitate informal resolution
- Share trends and systemic concerns in aggregate, without identifying individuals
What the Ombuds Does Not Do
- Take sides or advocate for an individual or for the university
- Conduct formal investigations or make binding decisions
- Accept notice of claims on behalf of the university
- Provide legal advice or psychological counseling
- Override or change policies
- Serve as a witness in formal proceedings
What to Expect
- Reach out. [email protected]
- Talk it through. Initial meeting, typically 30 to 60 minutes, in person, by phone, or by video.
- Explore options. Discuss paths forward, both informal and formal.
- Decide next steps. You choose. The Faculty Ombuds will support, but does not advise or decide for you.
Please note: Email is not a secure channel. Consider requesting a call or meeting instead of sharing sensitive details by email.
Ready to talk?
Contact the Faculty Ombuds at [email protected] to schedule a conversation.
Hours: By appointment