The Ombuds Office welcomes any member of the Penn community who is experiencing difficulty, conflict, or confusion at work, within their studies, or throughout their life at the University more broadly. We offer an accessible and safe place to resolve differences, explore matters of concern, improve communication, and generate and evaluate options.

Our mission is to ameliorate those conditions that may impede community members finding satisfaction with their lives at Penn. Our door is open to students, staff, and faculty. We encourage people to contact us at the earliest stages of a problem so that we can assist before it escalates.

Please explore our website to learn more about the Ombuds Office and how we can help.

What is an Ombuds?

An “ombuds” (pronounced om’ budz) is a confidential, off the record resource appointed to facilitate the resolution of disputes, management of conflicts, and problem solving in relation to obstacles to one’s full and successful participation as a member of the Penn community.