During this difficult period, the Ombuds Office for faculty and staff is open virtually and providing the full range of services.
The Ombuds Office provides an independent, confidential, neutral and informal resource for faculty and staff who have concerns about their academic or work
environment. In this space, which supplements formal channels, concerns can be voiced, strategies for resolution discussed, resources identified and conversations facilitated. If a problem appears to be systemic, or if there is a pattern of complaints,
the office can provide a conduit to university officers responsible for reviewing practices and policies.
Any topic related to faculty and staff experiences at The New School is open for discussion. Faculty and staff are free to ask questions about policies, examine specific challenges of their work experience, explore the implications of different courses
of action, and determine the best process for resolving their issues. The only areas in which the ombuds is not available are matters covered in a union contract.
Meet the Ombuds
Ann-Louise Shapiro came to The New School as Dean of The New School for General Studies in 2001, after 16 years at Wesleyan University where she was Professor of History and Dean of the Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Programs. At the end of her
term as Dean at The New School, she returned to the faculty, teaching at Lang College and The New School for Social Research. More recently, she has completed training in Foundations of Practice for Ombudsmen and in Informal Mediation. In all of her
professional work, she has been engaged in forging a community in which all members can expect fair, respectful, and collegial behavior.