The scope of what the Office of the University Ombudsperson is very specific to ensure we can maintain our core values and principles.
Our Services
Services:
During or following an initial consultation with a Mason Ombuds, visitors may voluntarily request various kinds of assistance, including but not limited to:
- Information/Referrals about/to Mason resources, policies, and systems, and referrals to the offices and departments responsible for them
- Option generation assists visitors in identifying and evaluating options for addressing their concerns
- Conflict coaching to support personal management of common-place conflict
- Mediated or facilitated conversation among 2-3 individuals (all parties must meet with the ombuds individually before the conversation is scheduled)
- Group facilitation by the request of visitors customized to address confidential concerns raised with an ombuds*
- Customized educational workshops to enhance interpersonal communication or conflict awareness and management strategies (e.g., “What is Conflict and How does it Work?”)*
- Listening sessions designed to address confidential concerns raised with the ombudsperson*
- Outreach sessions at the request of visitors to inform a group or unit about the Ombuds Office (e.g., “The Office of the University Ombudsperson: A Campus Resource,” “The Power of Empathy” and “9 Strategies for Managing and Transforming Conflict”)
October Programming and Open House:
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October 6, 2026 - Tabling Sci Tech
Time: 10:30 - 2:30, Location: KJH Lobby
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October 8, 2026 - Open House Fairfax
Time: 10:00 - 3:00 Location: D 170, Buchanan Hall
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October 8, 2026 - Open House Virtual
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 Location: https://gmu.zoom.us/meeting/register/I0VJbgXPQxaNjEohVt_4Jw
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October 8, 2026 - Open House Mason Korea
Time: 9:00 - 9:30 Mason KST, Location:https://gmu.zoom.us/meeting/register/zxJ3T2NORGiyEcNR-RFO-Q
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October 9, 2026 - Thriving Together Conversation In-person
Time:1:00 - 2:00 Location: D 170, Buchanan Hall
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October 13, 2026 - Tabling Mason Square
Time 10:30 - 2:30 Location: VM Lobby
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October 14, 2026 - 3 Practice Circle In-person
Time: 12:15 - 1:15 Location: D 170 Buchanan Hall
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October 17, 2026 - Mason 5 K Walk/Run Register on the following link: https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/VA/Fairfax/MasonNationThrivingTogether5K
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October 19, 2026 - Verbal Aikido Going from Conflict to Conversation - Workshop In-person
Time 12:00 - 1:00 Location: D 170, Buchanan Hall, Fairfax
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October 20, 2026 - Verbal Aikido Going from Conflict to Conversation - Workshop Mason Square
Time 12:00 - 1:00 Location: VM 716
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October 21, 2026 - Open House Sci Tech
Time 9:30 - 11:30 Location: CH 219A
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October 20, 2026 - Open House Mason Square
Time 9:30 - 11:30, Location VM 323
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October 21, 2026 - Verbal Aikido Going from Conflict to Conversation Workshop Sci Tech
Time 12:00 - 1:00, KJH 254
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October 23, 2026 - Thriving Together Conversation Virtual
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 Location: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/91606224181?pwd=BdkXhsrpoYZaeFLcnjUcCa3yz2AJRg.1
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October 22, 2026 - Campus Walk
Time: 12:00 Location: Peterson Lobby
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October 28, 2026 - 3 Practice Circle Artificial Intelligence: Mad. Not Mad. Disappointed
Time: 12:15-1:15: Location: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/95375149345?pwd=rB9Kf65N9u6kFsI8LsYbnVWalz8ywz.1
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October 29, 2026 - Verbal Aikido Going from Conflict to Conversation - Virtual
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 Location: https://gmu.zoom.us/meeting/register/mTzZpYBcS5WFNBGfPRSLSw
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Ombuds Scavenger Hunt: Use the url to participate: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=VXKFnlffR0ygwAVGRgOAy5tR3_nC7j5PnzhFUNhjioFUOEw5T09DTTRTVE4xUk1QVk1OU05UMTgxWS4u
*The Office of the Ombudsperson, as it deems appropriate, provides group facilitation and educational workshops at the request of visitors working voluntarily on a confidential basis with our office.
Disclaimer: The Office of the University Ombudsperson is not an agent of the University authorized to receive notice of claims, complaints, or grievances against the University unless specifically and expressly required by law. The Office is a confidential resource; please do not communicate confidential information by email or voicemail. Retaliation against anyone for consulting with the Office or against the Ombuds for actions within the scope of their duties as described in the Charter is prohibited.
Mason Resources
The Mason community benefits from and has access to resources and expertise in interpersonal communication, facilitation, and conflict resolution. Our Office acknowledges the presence of these resources at the Mason and supplements their work rather than replacing it. We inform visitors about these resources when it is relevant to their expressed concerns and goals.
