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Addressing unresolved issues and concerns that exist in a diverse campus community is essential to working in a harmonious atmosphere. Since conflicts occur at all levels in a university community, The University of Arizona Ombuds Program is pleased to present this educational opportunity to campus. The seminar will be presented by Toni P. Robinson, alternative dispute resolution consultant and ombuds in the office of the president at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.   

An ombuds program helps to promote ethical conduct and values; to alleviate or mitigate disruption caused by disputes; and to identify policies, practices or issues in wich a systems change may be appropriate. Ombuds programs are particularly effective within organizations during difficult economic and other challenging times. In this interactive workshop, participants will discuss how to use an ombuds program to assist in identifying roadblocks, strategies, resources and options for managing everyday conflicts.   

Robinson designs and teaches numerous courses and workshops on conflict management, negotiation and other alternative dispute resolution processes. She was formerly the deputy ombuds in the office of the commissioner for the Social Security Administration. She has served as faculty for Harvard's Program on Negotiation, MIT and Tufts University; as senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Managment; and has worked with numerous other academic, corporate, and government organizations.

Robinson is a past board member of the University and College Ombuds Association and The Ombuds Association. She has served on the professional development committees for both national organizations, developing and conducting specialized ombuds courses on their behalf. The two organizations merged and are now known as The International Ombudsman Association.

Robinson is a graduate of the Seattle University School of Law and holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from The Johns Hopkins University.