Around the globe, the third Thursday in October is celebrated annually as Conflict Resolution Day. Here at NEOMED, the Office of the Ombuds sponsored several activities on that theme last week. Ombuds Angela Dash, Ph.D., organized an online scavenger hunt to promote awareness of ways that the Office of the Ombuds can help students, faculty and staff to better resolve and manage conflict in our daily lives at the University.
All of the answers could be found online. Anyone who scored at least 7 out of 10 points were automatically entered into a drawing to win a $200 Amazon Gift Card. A total of 150 people participated and 99 percent scored at least 7 out of 10 points. (For the record, 55 percent were students and 45 percent were faculty or staff.) The winner of the drawing, second-year College of Medicine student Lohith Vatti, was awarded his winning on Friday, Oct. 21—which also happened to be his birthday.
Also in recognition of Conflict Resolution Day, the campus community was invited to come chat with the ombuds on Oct. 20 in the NEW Center Atrium to learn more about the services offered by the Office. Raise the Roof Entertainment was also on campus and visitors to the Ombuds table had fun in the photo booth with their choice of silly photo props and a poster that promoted the theme of conflict resolution.
In case you missed it, following are the questions and correct answers for the scavenger hunt.
Dr. Dash may be reached at adash@neomed.edu or 330.325.6254.
Question #1
What year was the Office of the Ombuds established? (Clue.)
Answer:
2014
Question #2
The Ombuds refers to the International Ombudsman Association’s (“IOA”) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics as the framework for operations. These four tenets require: Confidentiality, Informality, Neutrality, and what else? (Clue.)
Answer:
Independence
Question #3
On March 9, 2015, a Charter Agreement for the Office of Ombuds was executed to define the privileges and responsibilities of the University Ombuds. This nine-page document can be found on NEOMED'S website. What is the heading for Roman Numeral VII in this document?
Answer:
Jurisdiction/Authority and Limits
Question #4
The Ombuds is flexible in where she meets with visitors and the time in which she meets with visitors. (Clue: 2014-2015 Annual Report of the Ombuds - can be found on NEOMED's website)
Answer:
True
Question #5
In the 2014-2015 annual report of the Office of the Ombuds, the Ombuds provided a list of books that she is reading in 2016. Which book is not on that list? (Clue: This report can be found on NEOMED's website)
Answer:
Coaching as a Leadership Style: The Art and Science of Coaching Conversations for Healthcare Professionals
Question #6
HelpGuide.org provides guidance on how one can build the skills that can turn conflicts into opportunities. What does the guide identify as the 2nd core conflict resolution skill?
(Clue: Go to www.helpguide.org and search for the article Conflict Resolution Skills: Building the Skills That Can Turn Conflicts into Opportunities)
Answer:
Emotional awareness
Question #7
Where is the Office of the Ombuds located? (Clue: The office moved September 2016. Visit the Office of Ombuds FAQs to find the new location.)
Answer:
In the library, Room L209
Question #8
What percentage of cases between October 2014 and December 2015, did the Ombuds help visitors to develop and consider options in addressing their issue(s) ? (Clue: This information can be found in the 2014-2015 Annual Report of the Ombuds on NEOMED's website).
Answer:
67%
Question #9
There are numerous ways in which the Ombuds can assist students, faculty and staff in addressing issues and concerns. Which of the following is not one of the ways in which the Ombuds provides assistance? (Clue.)
Answer:
Conducts investigations and provide findings
Question #10
The Ombuds is available to assist all students, faculty and staff.
Answer:
True