Introducing FSC Ombuds Team
Dear Colleagues:
While we are home to some 10,000 students and 1,700 employees, we are one community.
As a campus it’s important that we stay focused on the larger issues, issues that
could threaten our approaches to education and equity, our commitment to discovery
and scholarship, and our ability to serve where the need is clear. That said, in any
community minor disagreements, debates, and issues can arise and possibly escalate.
Embers risk larger fires, and these local, internal conflicts must always be seen
in perspective.
To help us find that perspective and maintain stability while we work our trade, educate
our students, and maintain forward momentum, I am pleased to introduce our founding
ombuds team here at FSC, a team that will be trained in conflict management, mitigation,
and calming potential conflicts. A team that will only engage in incipient or ongoing
conflict if invited to do so and agreed to by all relevant parties.
That said, it gives me great pleasure to share that our founding team of ombuds will
be:
- Bryan Garcia
- Yetunde Odugbesan
- Fatoma Rad
- Kelsey Russell
- Bill Steedle
The ombuds availability will begin with the launch of the fall 2025 semester. The
initial proposal can be found on the Ombuds at FSC webpage. An updated webpage will be established to facilitate engagement and provide additional
information. Please remember that the process, from start to finish, is fully confidential.
At FSC, we have a supportive and cohesive community. This program was carefully designed
to serve our campus by seeking paths to resolve issues while keeping our focus on
educating and supporting our students. We will soon reconnect with information on
how you can reach out to the ombuds team.
I thank our ombuds for agreeing to serve in this important role, and thank all of
you in advance for considering this process if needed, and for our collective ongoing
efforts to strengthen our campus community.
Robert S. Prezant, PhD
President
Professor of Biology
