Helpful Reminders from Your Ombudsperson

By Luke Lara, FA Ombudsperson

Welcome to the fall 2024 semester! Hopefully your summer was rejuvenating and you’re well on your way to settling into the fall semester. I’d like to take this opportunity to remind all faculty of several resources I have been cultivating over the last two years in my role as Ombudsperson for the Faculty Assembly (FA).

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In the Faculty Resources article I discuss the LinkTree I created with several resources to support faculty including FA information, benefits, childcare, financial wellness, mental health, housing/rental assistance, faculty advocacy, and retirement resources.

Read the Reflections on My First Year as Ombudsperson article to develop a people first philosophy, learn about the institutional code of conduct, and gain some tips on how to have healthy and effective working relationships with your co-workers.

I provide a primer on union language in the Unofficial FA Dictionary Part I and the Unofficial FA Dictionary Part II articles. Learn more about how the FA operates and to better understand the terminology we use around college budgeting, the faculty contract, and negotiations.

In preparation for this academic year, I highly suggest reading the recommendations around how to deal with student conduct issues and classroom management in the Addressing Student Conduct Issues article.

If you are a new faculty member, welcome! Please read the A Must Read for 1st Year Faculty: Re-evaluating Your Initial Salary Placement to make sure you’re getting paid correctly.

Lastly, in my role as the FA Ombudsperson, I am here to assist faculty in all matters related to the contract. When in doubt, reach out and check in with me first. I am more than happy to help connect you with the right person or next steps to deal with your questions or concerns. You can learn more about my services and my role on the Ombuds website.

I hope these articles and resources are helpful. I look forward to supporting you this year.