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Faculty Reporting

The Ombudsperson serves as a trusted advisor in an independent, confidential, and informal capacity to faculty, staff, and graduate students to help them make empowered decisions while addressing conflicts and barriers related to experiences at the University of Tennessee. When you talk with the ombudsperson, you will

  • Be treated fairly
  • Not be required to share your conversations with anybody else, and
  • Not be required to engage in formal HR or any other grievance processes

Faculty or staff persons may call the ombudsperson and leave a confidential message on voicemail if there is no answer. Only a name and contact information are needed. You may also contact the ombudsperson via email. However, anyone contacting via email about ombuds services or concerns should provide minimal information because these emails are not confidential.

OED works with various legal mandates set out by state and federal laws, and university policies related to civil rights, equal employment and affirmative action. OED also provides leadership and services that promote the institution’s mission of creating and sustaining a learning environment that is welcoming to all and hostile to none.

The Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs (VPFA) oversees faculty processes related to the recruitment, retention, evaluation, promotion, and professional development for all faculty, both tenure-track and non-tenure-track. He leads campus efforts on all aspects of the faculty priority of the Vol Vision Strategic Plan. Faculty Affairs is the university contact for the following issues, actions, and goals:

  • Promoting diversity within faculty ranks
  • Academic freedom
  • Revision of Faculty Handbook and the Manual for Faculty Evaluation
  • Faculty grievances
  • Shared governance

Dr. John Zomchick, VPFA

(865) 974-6152

zomchick@utk.edu

946-CARE for Distressed Faculty and Staff is a hotline available twenty-four hours a day to help maintain a secure and healthy working environment. Your call will be handled with utmost sensitivity and concern, and trained professionals will carefully assess the situation and take appropriate action.

The University of Tennessee is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and work environment free from sexual misconduct, relationship violence, stalking, and retaliation. You can file a report with the Title IX office by calling (865) 974-9600 or after hours (865) 974-4357. If you wish to email: titleix@utk.edu.

For information about benefits, policies, employment, and training opportunities, please call Human Resources at (865) 974-6642, or email at hr@utk.edu.