Ariane White, Ed.D., director of the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center Alliance, will assume the responsibilities of university ombuds beginning in January 2023, announced Emelyn dela Peña, vice president for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In both capacities White reports to dela Peña.
As university ombuds, White will provide LMU employees with opportunities for informal, neutral, confidential, and independent consultation regarding issues or challenges that arise in the work setting, as outlined by the International Ombuds Association standards of practice. This work will dovetail with one of the primary goals of the TRHT Center Alliance: to serve as a hub to coordinate and further develop cross-campus efforts to engage conflict through a restorative paradigm, including the recognition that a proactive commitment to deepening relationships serves as an essential foundation for unlocking the generative potential of conflict. The dual appointment will anchor the TRHT Center Alliance as a hub to transform campus climate and culture by foregrounding the imperative to approach conflict through a restorative paradigm.
Individuals who consult with White as ombuds will be made aware of the full spectrum of options available to them for next steps – ranging from informal restorative processes (including supported dialogue, mediation, and restorative conferencing) to explaining the procedures for filing formal grievances. Meanwhile, the TRHT Center Alliance will continue to offer skill-building and community building opportunities to enhance a sense of belonging among campus constituents and to deepen our collective capacity to engage in practices that foster community accountability and ongoing learning and transformation.
More information can be found here.