The Undergraduate Ombuds Official is an advocate for fairness for undergraduate students at Texas A&M University. More specifically, the Undergraduate Ombuds Official is:

• a neutral party who provides confidential, impartial, and informal assistance in resolving conflicts or addressing issues and concerns.

• unbiased and considers the rights and interests of all parties involved.

• independent, housed in the Office of Undergraduate Studies, and reports directly to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.

The Undergraduate Ombuds Official can:

• Listen and help you achieve a greater understanding of the issue or concern.

• Answer your questions, including questions about religious holy days.

• Explain university policies and procedures.

• Assist you with solving problems at the university.

• Connect you to resources on campus.

• Help you navigate the academic appeals process.

• Identify options for resolving conflicts.

• Facilitate dialogue between you and other parties involved.

You can count on the Undergraduate Ombuds Official to be:

• Accessible

• Confidential

• Neutral and Impartial

• Informal

You may discuss any concern confidentially with the Undergraduate Ombuds Official. Some of the common issues we help with include:

• Academic-related issues and appeals

• Concerns about procedural fairness or due process

• Questions about religious holy days

• Misunderstandings between students, advisors, professors, or others

• Communication breakdowns with students, advisors, professors, or others

• Disagreements with or misunderstandings of university policies or procedures

• Concerns over retaliation

•  …and many more

You should reach out to the Undergraduate Ombuds Official at any point if you:

• Need to talk to a university official informally about an issue.

• Need to talk to someone “off the record.”

• Have an issue and you need to know your options or who to go to for help. 

• Feel that a university policy, procedure, or regulation has been applied unfairly.

• Need an outside party to help start the conversation to work towards a solution.

• Need help navigating academic appeals.

• The level of confidentiality. We do not serve as an office of record or keep any personally-identifiable records. Unless your issue involves a situation of campus violence under the Clery Act or there is imminent risk of serious harm, we will not disclose you talked with us without an explicit request from you or your permission to do so.

• Our objectivity and impartiality. We can help you think through situations clearly and see things from multiple perspectives.

• Our neutrality. We do not take sides in a conflict or take part in any formal process. 

• Our commitment. We are committed to helping individuals resolve a variety of issues, difficulties, challenges, and conflicts involving undergraduate students.

• Our knowledge of campus resources. We can connect you with other resources to help.

• Our willingness to listen. We provide a compassionate, listening ear.

The Undergraduate Ombuds Official is Dr. Lori Moore. Dr. Moore is certified in basic mediation and has previous academic leadership experience as the Associate Department Head for Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications. 

In addition to serving as the Undergraduate Ombuds Official in the Office of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Moore is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in agricultural leadership and teacher preparation.

The Undergraduate Ombuds Office is located in Rudder Tower 604, behind the elevators. 

Although not required, scheduling an appointment to visit with the Ombuds is strongly recommended.There is limited staff in the Ombuds Office, and the Ombuds is frequently out of the office or unavailable due to confidential meetings and phone calls. Scheduling an appointment ensures you will have the undivided attention of the Ombuds. To schedule an appointment in person, over the phone, or on Zoom, email us at undergradombuds@tamu.edu or call us at 979-845-3210.