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Want to discuss an issue with a neutral party?


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Need to talk to someone about a concern?

 
 
Photo of Female Student
 
 
Need help in resolving a dispute...or conflict?
 
     
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A service for undergraduate, graduate and professional students

  • Confidential
  • Impartial
  • Independent

John Blackshear completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Georgia State University. He completed his internship at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition, he received pre-doctoral training at the University of Kentucky’s Counseling Center.

John’s clinical interests are varied and include the following: stress and coping styles, aggression and violence, multiculturalism and diversity, spirituality and religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, depression, anxiety, alcohol and other drugs abuse/dependence, adjustment-related problems, interpersonal communication and relationship dynamics, adult development, and crises associated with life-stages transition. He enjoys working with individuals, groups, and couples. John is also the Clinical Director of the Academic Resource Center, Duke University. 



 

John Blackshear

John Blackshear, Ph.D.
Academic Resource Center
john.blackshear@duke.edu

Telephone: 919-684-5917



Jeffrey R. Dawson, Professor
Faculty Ombudsperson
School of Medicine
dawso001@mc.duke.edu


The Ombudsperson

Does
 
Does not
  • Provide a neutral, safe and confidential environment to talk

  • Listen to concerns and complaints and discusses appropriate options

  • Help to evaluate those options

  • Assist students in resolving problems

  • Mediate conflicts, convenes meetings, engages in "shuttle diplomacy"

  • Refer students to appropriate campus resources

  • Provide information about university resources

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  • Adjudicate or participate in formal university grievance processes

  • Determine guilt of any party in a dispute

  • Get involved in any formal litigation or testify in court

  • Provide legal advice

  • Assign sanctions to individuals

  • Replace any official university office, department or process

  • Keep records of students and/or conversations

 


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Examples of Services Provided by Ombudsperson

  • Helps resolve or mediate a dispute with an individual or group.

  • Helps decide how to approach a person who you think is causing a problem.

  • Discusses how to approach a fellow student who has made an offensive or insensitive comment.

  • Assists when you are uncertain what Duke policies or procedures apply to your situation.

  • Assists when you don't know what individual or university department is appropriate to go to for an answer to a specific question or to obtain a particular service.

  • Helps when you feel as if you have been unfairly treated by anyone on campus.

  • Engages in "shuttle diiplomacy" to solve a problem between you and a student/employee.

  • Helps you evaluate and select among a variety of options to address a concern with a fellow student or department.

  • Helps resolve or mediate a non-grade or non-evaluation related dispute with a faculty member.


 
   
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