In all activities, the Ombuds follows principles presented in the Standards of Practice and Ethical Principles of the International Ombuds Association: Confidentiality, Independence, Impartiality, and Informality. These principles are stated in the Charter for the Ombuds Office and provided to all visitors to the Ombuds Office.

Confidentiality
The Ombuds holds the identity and all communications with those seeking assistance in strict confidence, and does not disclose confidential communications unless given permission to do so, except as required by law, or where, in the judgment of the Ombuds, there appears to be imminent risk of serious harm.

The confidentiality of Ombuds Office communications is honored at all levels of the University. Accordingly, there is an expectation that the Ombuds will normally not be asked to testify on the University’s behalf in internal and/or external proceedings. No meetings are recorded by the Ombuds Office, by visitors, or by University staff unless explicitly permitted.

Independence
As stated in the 1969 Kahn memo that established the role, the Ombuds Office “shall be independent of all existing administrative structures of the University.” The Ombuds is independent in structure, function, and appearance to the highest degree possible within Cornell. The office is ultimately accountable for its operation to the community.

Impartiality
The Ombuds, as a designated neutral, remains unaligned and impartial. The Ombuds strives to promote procedural fairness in the content and administration of Cornell’s practices, processes, and policies. The Ombuds does not engage in any situation that could create a conflict of interest.

Informality
The Ombuds, as an informal resource, does not participate in any formal adjudicative or administrative procedure related to concerns brought to their attention. As an informal resource, the Ombuds is not authorized to accept notice (formal complaints) for Cornell. The Ombuds can provide information to the visitor on how to make the University aware of a particular issue. However, because the Ombuds holds all communications with those seeking assistance in strict confidence, subject to the limited exceptions detailed above, the Ombuds will not forward information received in confidence.