The goal of the Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Ombuds Program is to provide graduate students and postdocs with a neutral, third-party to assist with conflict resolution and solutions-oriented support. The ombuds program provides an alternative to the formal grievances and complaint process. It emphasizes non-adversarial problem-solving options, rather than formal, rights-based options.
Graduate students and postdocs within EMS can choose to meet with any ombudsperson across the College, regardless of department affiliation.
Energy and Mineral Engineering:
- Barbara Arnold, Professor of Practice in Mining Engineering
- Derek Elsworth, Professor of Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering
Geography:
- Luke Trusel, Assistant Professor of Geography
Geosciences:
- Sridhar Anandakrishnan, Professor of Geosciences
- Christelle Wauthier, Associate Professor of Geosciences
Materials Science and Engineering:
- Nasim Alem, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
- Nathan Smith, Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Meteorology and Atmospheric Science:
- Tasha Miles, Research Professor of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
- Sukyoung Lee, Distinguished Professor of Meteorology
- Ray Najjar, Professor of Oceanography
About the Ombudsperson
Ombudspersons provide a safe environment for graduate students and postdocs to discuss issues and concerns. Examples of issues that may affect graduate students and postdocs include conflict with advisers/supervisors, department chairs, students or peers. Ombudspersons assist students in analyzing their situation, understanding relevant University policies, providing information and advice, exploring possible solutions, informally mediating a dispute where appropriate, making referrals to formal channels. Ombudspersons do not formally advocate for the individual or any point of view, but instead work to promote a fair process for all. They can recommend changes in policies and procedures but cannot overturn decisions made by university officials. Ombudspersons do not keep formal records, perform formal investigations, or provide legal advice.
Ombudspersons are committed to…
Independence. The Ombuds operates independently from other University entities and holds no other position that would compromise that independence. The Ombuds has no administrative, supervisory, or evaluative authority over graduate students or postdocs and exercises sole discretion over whether or how to act on a concern.
Impartiality. The Ombuds strives for fairness, objectivity, and impartiality. The Ombuds does not take sides, advocate for any individual, or align with any group in a way that could create actual or perceived conflicts of interest. The Ombuds supports fair and equitable processes.
Informality. The Ombuds serves as an informal, voluntary, and off-the-record resource. Conversations with the Ombuds do not constitute notice to the University. The Ombuds does not conduct formal investigations or participate in formal grievance, disciplinary, legal, or administrative proceedings.
Confidentiality. The Ombuds keeps confidential the identities of those seeking assistance and all communications with them, to the extent permitted by law. Information will not be disclosed without permission, except where there appears to be an imminent threat of serious harm or where required by law. The Ombuds maintains no official records of visitors or their concerns.
Additional Resources
The Graduate School Graduate Student Ombudsperson Program
Associate Department Heads for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Visit your Department’s website
Academic Advising
- Website: advising.psu.edu/advising-centers
Directorate of International Student & Scholar Advising (DISSA)
- Support for international students
- Advice on visas and immigration issues
- Phone: 814-865-6348 ext. 0
- Location: 410 Boucke Building
Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
- Provides education, information, outreach, and advocacy services on sexual and gender diversity
- Phone: 814-863-1248
- Location: LL011 HUB-Robeson Center
- Email: lgbtqa@psu.edu
Multicultural Resource Center (MRC)
- Provides support and educational services for domestic multicultural students
- Phone: 814-865-1773
- Location: 220 Grange Building
Paul Robeson Cultural Center (PRCC)
- Programs and services for all students related to racial and cultural identity
- Phone: 814-865-3776
- Location: 21 HUB-Robeson Center
Residence Life
- 24/7 support regarding on-campus living
- Phone: 814-863-1710 (from 8-5; police after hours)
- Location: 201 Johnston Commons or area office
Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response (OSMPR)
- Report sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct (e.g., sexual assault, exploitation, stalking, dating/domestic violence)
- Investigates concerns; provides resources, support, and accommodations
- Phone: 814-8670099
- Location: 222 Boucke Building
- Website: titleix.psu.edu
Student Disability Resources
- Provides reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities
- Phone: 814-863-1807
- Location: 116 Boucke Building
Health Promotion and Wellness
- Services for a range of health issues, including nutrition, substance use (alcohol, marijuana, & nicotine), sexual health, sleep, & stress
- Programming for yoga & meditation, overall well-being, resilience, stress, sleep, and sexual health in addition to other health topics
- Phone: 814-863-0461
- Location: 001P Intramural (IM) Building
- Website: studentaffairs.psu.edu/health-promotion
University Health Services
- 24/7 Advice Nurse
- Phone: 814-863-4463
- Location: Student Health Center Building
Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development (CSED)
- Programs, advocacy, and services for students of all religious and spiritual identities
- Phone: 814-865-6548
- Location: 111 Pasquerilla Spiritual Center
- Email: spiritual@psu.edu
- Website: studentaffairs.psu.edu/spiritual