Ombuds Office

The Kenyon College Ombudsperson (Ombuds) is a neutral conflict resolution professional whose primary responsibility is to be an informal and independent resource for people who have questions, concerns or issues internal to the College. All students, faculty and staff may consult with the ombuds about whatever is troubling them. The ombuds will listen without judgment, help with evaluating options and may provide coaching tips on how best to proceed. All communication is held confidential with limited exceptions.

Meetings can be held at the ombuds' office, another location, virtually or over the phone, whatever works best for you.

What services does the Ombuds Office provide?

Individual one-on-one meetings to discuss your issue and consider your options
Mediations with you and another person or group
Facilitated dialogue and group discussions, including Kenyon Conversations Cohorts, small mixed groups of students, staff and faculty who meet over a shared meal to build connection across campus
Training on conflict management and relational skills for teams, departments and student groups

When should I visit the Ombuds Office?

Anytime you:

Want neutral help with a difficult or sensitive issue
Need someone to listen without judgement
Want guidance on resolving a conflict on your own
Are not sure where else to go
Need help identifying your options

You don't need to have tried anything else first. The Ombuds Office can be your first step, your last resort, or anywhere in between.

Who can use the Ombuds Office?

Any member of the Kenyon community, students, faculty and staff alike, can talk with the ombuds. Students make up a large share of the people who visit each year, so if you're a student wondering if this is "for you," it is.

What happens if I reach out?

Reaching out doesn't commit you to anything. A first conversation is just that: a conversation. You'll talk through what's going on, and together you'll decide if there's a next step that makes sense, whether that's coaching on how to have a hard conversation yourself, a mediation, or simply having been heard. Nothing moves forward without your say-so.

Should I make an appointment?

To protect confidentiality and make sure the ombuds is available, it's best to schedule ahead. You can schedule an appointment online, or contact the ombuds by email or phone. You also can use this form to request that the ombuds contact you as soon as possible.

Ombuds Work, in Numbers

71 visitors met with the ombuds in 2025-2026
93% of survey respondents who used ombuds services had a positive or very positive experience
6 mediations with multiple parties facilitated
33 Campus Mediators trained and active this year
14 years of visitor data on file, informing this year's numbers

Coming this fall: 3 Kenyon Conversations Cohort sessions, bringing together students, staff and faculty over shared meals