To: The Wellesley Community
From: President Paula A. Johnson
Re: 2019–2020 Ombudsperson and Expanded Services
Date: February 5, 2019
I am pleased to announce that Kathryn Bender has joined Wellesley as our new ombudsperson. A highly accomplished professional, her legal and higher education experience spans more than 25 years, during which time she has successfully facilitated and mediated countless disputes for public and private colleges and universities.
The College’s Ombuds Office has also been expanded to offer a broader range of dispute resolution services, including facilitation, mediation and training. As an additional resource for resolving disputes on campus, Kathryn is available to provide advice and information to faculty and staff to help resolve any grievances arising from or affecting their work. She is also available to students who are having an issue with a faculty or staff member to talk about the problem. Conversations will be informal and off the record, except in cases of imminent physical danger.
As a neutral, independent, and confidential resource, Kathryn will listen carefully and work with individuals to clarify interests and goals, strategize about handling problematic situations, provide information about College policy, and assist with both written and verbal communication. She is also able to facilitate conversations. In all situations, she will seek processes and resolutions that are equitable to all parties.
The Ombuds Office is also a resource for navigating Wellesley’s policies and options for conflict management. Community members can bring questions about their disputes to the Ombuds Office without fear of negative consequences, and they will receive neutral, unbiased advice about available resources, how to access their options, and what to expect.
You can find Kathryn in the Ombuds Office in Clapp Library, room 301, or reach her at ombuds@wellesley.edu or 781.283.3385. Kathryn is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays (or by appointment).
This spring, Kathryn plans to initiate a listening tour across campus to learn more about the needs of our community. She is also available to speak to groups, classes, and others about any issue related to dispute resolution, communication, consensus building, and collaboration, including offering training in meditation and dispute resolution skills.
Additional information about the Ombuds Office and the role of the ombudsperson is available on the website.
We have greatly benefited from the work of Professor Emerita Liz Lieberman, who retired from the ombudsperson role at the end of 2018, after serving for seven years. I am grateful for the valuable service Liz provided, and I thank her for the care and dedication that resulted in today’s robust Ombuds Office.
