About

The Ombuds Program at Bates provides assistance to staff and faculty seeking appropriate paths to resolving workplace concerns. An ombudsperson is an impartial and confidential resource available to all employees in the college community. They provide opportunities for discussion and a review of options for informal resolutions.

Ethical Principles

Independence

• Independent from offices of the college.
• Neutral and Impartial
• The Ombudsperson does not engage in any situation which could create a conflict of interest.

Confidentiality

• All communications with those seeking assistance is in strict confidence unless given specific permission to do so. The only exception to this privilege of confidentiality is where there appears to be imminent risk of serious harm.

Informality

• This is an informal resource to help employees resolve conflicts.

A Supportive Approach

Bates College provides members of the college community with a variety of resources for resolving workplace concerns. Employees
may access whichever resource they feel most comfortable with to assist them.

Your Supervisor

The Ombuds Program

Mike Milliken
753-6936

Human Resources
786-6140

Office of Equity and Inclusion
786-6031

Employee Assistance Program
888-238-6232

Responsibilities & Limits

Our team can assist you by:

• Listening
• Providing prompt, impartial, and confidential assistance
• Identifying options for resolving workplace concerns
• Providing answers to questions or to assist in finding someone who can
• Explaining college policies and procedures
• Assisting you with carrying a complaint forward
• Supporting/accompanying employees in personnel meetings

Our team cannot:

• Override or enforce college policy Advocate for specific outcomes
• Provide legal advice
• Require employees to take action Mediate workplace disputes
• Maintain any records or documentation

Meet our Team

Mike Milliken

753-6936
mmillike@bates.edu

Mike began working at Bates in 2007 as the college Wellness Coordinator. He has a degree from U-Maine Farmington in Community Health Education concentrating in Exercise Science and Nutrition. He is a fitness enthusiast and has been a personal trainer since 2004. He played rugby in college and went on to play for the Portland Men’s Club for 5 years. He is now the Manager of Wellness & Coordinator of Sports Clubs. In his spare time, he enjoys the Maine outdoors, music, and juggling.

Laurie Henderson

786-6228
lhenders@bates.edu

Laurie came to Bates in 1992 to be the Supervisor of Secretarial, Print and Mail Services. She was born in Massachusetts and worked at Babson and Regis Colleges before moving to Maine. She is currently the Director of Post & Print. She has a degree from Cambridge College Global in Business Administration. In the L/A community she was President of the Kiwanis Club, Assistant Balloon Meister for the Great Falls Balloon Festival and on the Allocations Committee for the United Way for multiple years. Laurie resides in Lewiston with her cat, Oreo. In her spare time, she enjoys home projects, planting, golfing and traveling.