Ombudsman Office

The University Ombudsman Office

The University Ombudsman Office is open to all Harvard University faculty, staff, fellows, students and retirees. Lydia Cummings is an Ombudsman at Harvard University. Her office provides a confidential forum where issues may be openly discussed and options for resolution may be generated. Issues may include academic advancement, interpersonal conflicts, harassment, and policy clarification. The Office is an independent resource for problem resolution and strives to see that all members of the University community are treated equitably and fairly. The Ombudsman can provide confidential and informal assistance to help resolve issues related to workplace and learning environments. She can help analyze and assess avenues for conflict resolution, including assistance and coaching with both written and verbal communications. A visitor may discuss issues and concerns with the Ombudsman without committing to further disclosure or any formal resolution. Information concerning any visit will not be disclosed without the visitor's permission, absent compelling reasons (e.g., a court order or a potential threat to safety). Office operations are consistent with the code of ethics and the practices of the International Ombudsman Association. Next steps are always determined by the visitor, depending on the circumstances and comfort with possible options. An ombudsman is confidential, independent, and neutral.

Lydia Cummings, Ombudsman

Lydia Cummings has worked at Harvard University since 1979. She held management positions in the Office of the Vice President for Administration, Harvard Planning and Real Estate, Alumni Affairs and Development, Financial Systems and the Office of Human Resources. From 1996 to 2003, Lydia was the Associate Director of Labor and Employee Relations in the Office of Human Resources. Her professional areas of expertise include employee counseling, contract negotiation, informal mediation of group conflicts, and assisting individuals to develop strategies for conflict resolution.

Contact us

University Ombudsman Office
Holyoke Center, Suite 748
(617) 495-7748

Harvard Medical Area Ombuds Office

The Harvard Medical Area Ombudsman Office is available to all students, trainees, faculty, and staff affiliated with Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and Harvard School of Public Health.The Ombudsperson will assist people with complaints involving interpersonal misunderstandings or conflict.The Ombuds Office is independent of any existing administrative or academic structures and is responsible only to the dean of each school.The office supplements the existing resources available to members of our communities.Speaking with the Ombudsperson will likely increase visitors’ awareness of alternatives valuable to for resolving concerns.Possibilities will be tailored to fit particular circumstances and take into account any fears about retaliation or other negative career consequences.The goal will be to enhance the visitors’ ability to independently deal more effectively with the situation.The Ombudsperson is designated neutral and does not advocate for any individual or point of view.

Linda Wilcox, Ombudsperson

Linda Wilcox has served as Ombudsperson at Harvard Medical School, Dental School, and School of Public Health, since the office’s inception in 1991. She assists Harvard faculty, staff, students, and appointees who are experiencing conflict to organize their ideas, acquire relevant information, and create options for conflict resolution. When appropriate, she mediates disputes between parties many of which are related to issues of authorship and attribution of credit. Linda holds both a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study and a Master’s Degree in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has completed Harvard Law School’s Certificate Program on Negotiation. Prior to coming to Harvard, Linda was a labor negotiator for a regional school system and mediator for the Salem Mediation Program in Massachusetts. Linda addresses topics related to authorship and ownership disputes, sexual harassment, discrimination, and negotiation styles and techniques. She divides her Harvard time between client consulting and education.

Contact
Linda Wilcox, Ombudsperson
164 Longwood Avenue, First Floor
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 432-4040 (confidential phone)
(617) 432-4041 (assistant)
linda_wilcox@hms.harvard.edu
http://www.hms.harvard.edu/ombuds/