Academic Ombuds
Confidentiality Independence Informality Neutrality
The UTHealth Houston Office of Academic Ombuds (OAO) is a confidential, independent, informal and neutral place for directing students, residents, fellows, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty to appropriate campus information, resources, and offices to express concerns, resolve disputes, manage conflicts, and improve communication skills. The Ombuds is available to discuss issues of concern, including interpersonal conflict or misunderstandings and academic or administrative concerns.
Reach out to the OAO as a first step, a last resort, or at any point along the way. You may also reach out anytime you would like to discuss something confidentially and aren’t sure where to go.
The OAO promotes a neutral, fair and equitable approach to problem solving, conflict management and consensus building. At the visitor’s option, the Ombuds is happy to listen, offer feedback, or assist in developing alternatives for addressing concerns and problems. The Ombuds may educate visitors of the available resources at UTHealth Houston when considering next steps in managing a concern or issue. Where appropriate, the OAO supports systemic changes (e.g. through providing feedback to University leadership about trends, policies and procedures, and systemic issues) to achieve this.
The Ombuds does not replace any formal University reporting channels (e.g. regarding complaints or grievances). Communication to the Ombuds does not constitute notice to UTHealth Houston. The Ombuds does not make binding decisions, mandate policies, or formally adjudicate issues. The Ombuds does not provide legal advice; communication or information provided by the Ombuds does not constitute legal advice.
Contact Us
The OAO holds all communications in strict confidence, is not part of any formal UTHealth Houston process, operates independently and keeps no formal written records. Please call or email if you would like to discuss an issue or schedule an in-person meeting. Learn more about the Academic Ombuds here.
Office Direct: 713-500-3457
Confidential Mobile: 713-705-5005
Email: ombuds@uth.tmc.edu *Please do not send confidential information via email.
Office Location: University Center Tower (UCT) suite 165
By contacting the OAO, visitors and callers agree not to tape, video, record or otherwise reproduce communications with the Ombuds.
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