The Faculty Ombuds serves as a confidential, neutral, informal and independent resource
for faculty concerns and conflicts.
Here to Assist You The Faculty Ombuds is available to all tenured, tenure track and non-tenure track
faculty members within the UofSC system, except for USC Upstate, which has its own
faculty ombuds. The Faculty Ombuds is available to listen to visitor concerns, clarify
issues, develop options and provide information. The ombuds advocates for fair and equitably administered processes and does not advocate
on behalf of any individual within the university.
The Faculty Ombuds is not an office of notice or mandated reporter. Communications to the ombuds are not notice to the university. The ombuds may refer individuals to the appropriate place where formal notice can
be made.
The ombuds is a member in good standing of the International Ombuds Association , a professional association dedicated to supporting organizational ombuds worldwide.
As a member of the IOA, the ombuds operates within the association's code of ethics and standards of practice .
The ombuds holds all communications with those seeking assistance in strict confidence and does not disclose confidential communications unless given permission to do so.
The only exception to this privilege of confidentiality is when such a disclosure
is required by law or where there appears to be imminent risk of serious harm. The ombuds, as a designated neutral , remains unaligned and impartial and does not engage in any situation that could
create a conflict of interest. The ombuds is an informal resource who does not participate in any formal adjudicative or administrative procedure
related to concerns brought to the ombuds' attention.
The ombuds is independent in structure, function and appearance to the highest degree possible within the organization.
Contacting the Ombuds
While email is not appropriate for sharing confidential information please email me
at rdipietr@mailbox.sc.edu to schedule a face-to-face meeting.
Faculty Ombuds
To reach the Faculty Ombuds, please call 803-777-2600.
