The ombuds program is often called upon to develop and/or deliver training sessions and workshops. Additionally, the ombuds program can help facilitate forward-looking meetings (e.g., strategy sessions). If you or your group would like to explore something along these lines, or for more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Examples of Trainings:

• Basic conflict resolution
• Options for reporting
• Abrasive conduct
• Communication skills
• Creating community/group agreements
• Managing conflict in the workplace
• How to manage difficult conversations
• Cycles of conflict and de-escalation

Scheduled Trainings

The Ombuds Program, partnered with the Student Conflict Resolution Center, is pleased to bring you virtual trainings throughout the year that anyone from the campus community can join. We welcome faculty, staff, administrators, departments, undergraduate, and graduate students to join us. Dates and times are listed below, along with the topic that will be covered that week. You are welcome to sign up in advance by emailing us at ombuds@uoregon.edu or by simply clicking here at the time of the session you wish you attend. 

Basics of Communication: Tuesday, February 18th at 10am

Many of us often struggle with the basics of communication without even knowing it. In this workshop we will dig deeper into what it means to actively listen, ask effective questions, and become aware of what type of communication style works best. By learning to avoid miscommunications, build empathy, and improve critical thinking skills, you will be able to better engage in open dialogue in any circumstance.    

Effective Communication - Self Advocacy in Difficult Conversations: Wednesday, February 19th at 4pm

This workshop aims to prepare participants for conversations they may find challenging when speaking with others.  The information included in this workshop focuses on the misconceptions of self-advocacy, normalizing the anxiety around these conversations, and how to effectively communicate concerns. Participants will learn how to prepare for these conversations, techniques for starting and continuing these conversations, as well as skills like how to professionally express disagreement.

How to Manage Difficult Conversations with Supervisors: Thursday, February 20th at 4pm

Along with workplace conflict, addressing a concern with a supervisor can be stressful. During this workshop, participants can take away information about what can cause general concerns in the workplace and what to be aware of when thinking about having a conversation with their supervisor. We will help participants tackle the four stages of organization: preparation, initiation, discussion, and conclusion.

Cycles of Conflict & De-escalation: Friday, February 21st at 10am

This introductory workshop dives into understanding the stages of conflict and how conflict develops. Participants will learn goals for de-escalation which include how to ask a genuine question and how to reframe a loaded statement. Participants are also provided with a conflict navigation toolbox that addresses pre- and post- conflict components.  

Meetings

When scheduling a meeting with the Ombuds Program, here are some helpful items to keep in mind:

• While we are not typically able to schedule a visitor for the same day we usually do have availability within the next couple of business days
• Meetings are scheduled for one hour
• Should you have a circumstance where you need to meet outside of normal business hours we will be happy to work with you to find a time
• To help ensure a visitor's privacy, calendar invites are not sent
• We are able to meet via phone, Zoom, or in-person (feel free to let us know your preference and we will do our best to accommodate that, based on schedules and other factors)
• If a visitor is more than 15 minutes late to the meeting, the meeting will be rescheduled
• We do not use Teams, to help protect our visitor's privacy

For meetings in-person:

• There is street, metered parking available
• A bike rack is available on the side of the building
• The main entrance has a few steps leading up to it, and there is an accessible entrance on the side (don't hesitate to reach out should you need us to unlock that)
• Should you have any other accessibility needs for an in-person meeting please reach out to us