Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Office of the University Ombuds Releases First Annual Report

Tuesday, January 12, 2021, By Brandon Dyer
Share
staff

The Office of the University Ombuds was established in February 2018.  The office, which released its first annual report this month, provides a confidential, independent, informal and neutral space where students, faculty and staff can resolve complaints, conflicts or concerns on campus.

head shot

Neal Powless

Neal Powless was appointed University ombuds in January 2019, succeeding Professor Emeritus Samuel Clemence, who led the office in an interim capacity. Powless says he hopes this report can help people feel less alone if they have experienced conflict with someone on campus. He hopes this report will help more people understand how to use the office as a resource and bring awareness to common themes of conflict.

“The report is a reflection of the trends that I’ve heard people say that are shared by others, and those are things that we, as a community, can look at and consider how we could act better as a community; how we could be more open to each other,” says Powless.“The primary concerns for people are employment, workplace and evaluative relationships, like peer-to-peer or peer-to-colleague relationships.”

The common theme that Powless has observed is breakdowns in communication. Often in the rush to achieve goals, people do not communicate efficiently to each other. That issue can lead to an uneven power dynamic between supervisors and supervisees. Communication issues can also contribute to an unhealthy work environment.

Powless says anyone using the ombud’s office does not have to fear retaliation for discussing issues they encounter on campus. By being a confidential and neutral resource, the ombud’s office created a space where individuals are empowered to find solutions that maybe they never would have considered before or to consider solutions that maybe they were not aware of, says Powless. In his first year, Powless worked on 255 cases.

The trust Powless has built with individuals he has worked with has been especially rewarding for him. He says the office offers people an opportunity to be honest about conflict in their workplace or classroom and about what they really want to achieve as a resolution. “We’re all here at Syracuse University together and so, how do we all get along? And that is what I do, that’s my goal.”

Powless has been a member of the Syracuse University campus community since 2004, first as a graduate and then as a PhD student. He went on to work as a staff member in student affairs and academic affairs. Powless is trained as a certified counselor/therapist and he has taught in three of the 13 schools and colleges.

“If you read the report and you feel an emotional response, think about your intentions. Is it bringing up, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going through this?’ Think about how you’re going to solve it and use this office as a space for yourself,” says Powless. “Conflict is not a sign of failure. Conflict is an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and the people that we work with.”

  • Author

Brandon Dyer

  • Recent
  • Former Orange Point Guard and Maxwell Alumna ‘Roxi’ Nurse McNabb Still Driving for an Assist
    Tuesday, July 8, 2025, By Jessica Smith
  • Empowering Learners With Personalized Microcredentials, Stackable Badges
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By Hope Alvarez
  • Rose Tardiff ’15: Sparking Innovation With Data, Mapping and More
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By News Staff
  • Paulo De Miranda G’00 Received ‘Much More Than a Formal Education’ From Maxwell
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By Jessica Youngman
  • Law Professor Receives 2025 Onondaga County NAACP Freedom Fund Award
    Thursday, July 3, 2025, By Robert Conrad

More In Campus & Community

Former Orange Point Guard and Maxwell Alumna ‘Roxi’ Nurse McNabb Still Driving for an Assist

As point guard for the Orange women’s basketball team, Raquel-Ann “Roxi” Nurse McNabb ’98, G’99 was known for helping her teammates ‘make buckets’—a lot of buckets. The 1997 Syracuse University Athlete of the Year, two-time team MVP and three-time BIG…

Empowering Learners With Personalized Microcredentials, Stackable Badges

The University is enhancing its commitment to lifelong learning with digital badges, a tool that recognizes and authenticates the completion of microcredentials. The badges aim to support learners in their professional and personal development by showcasing achievements in short, focused…

Rose Tardiff ’15: Sparking Innovation With Data, Mapping and More

While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in geography in the Maxwell School, Rose Tardiff ’15 became involved with the Salt City Harvest Farm, a community farm near Syracuse where newcomers from all over the world grow food and make social connections….

Paulo De Miranda G’00 Received ‘Much More Than a Formal Education’ From Maxwell

Early in his career, Paulo De Miranda G’00 embarked on several humanitarian aid and peacekeeping assignments around the world. “When we concluded our tasks, we wrote reports about our field work, but many times felt that little insight was given…

Law Professor Receives 2025 Onondaga County NAACP Freedom Fund Award

College of Law Professor Suzette Meléndez, director of the Syracuse Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic, was honored with a 2025 Onondaga County NAACP Freedom Fund Award at their 45th Annual Freedom Fund Award Dinner. Meléndez received the Maye, McKinney & Melchor Freedom…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.