ABSTRACT
This chapter explores one ombudsperson's views on ways to prevent and curtail cyberbullying on university campuses. The ombudsperson is ideally situated to address cyberbullying and its repercussions, since they are perceived as being a fair and impartial arbitrator of faculty, staff, and student issues. The lens of fairness that guides the ombudsperson in formal and informal redress processes demands consideration of four points: procedural, substantive, relational, and equitable fairness. An ombudsperson must operationalize all four aspects of fairness (procedural, substantive, relational, and equitable) when developing policies, protocols, and best practices to ensure fair treatment of all parties. Cyberbullying cases often involve heightened emotionality and tensions, making it all the more important for parties to feel like they have been treated fairly. While developing protocols and intervening in cases of cyberbullying and other unfair treatment are important aspects of the ombudsperson's role, the function also focuses on prevention through initiatives that actively cultivate healthy online communication.
