California Caucus of College & University Ombuds

Asilomar in November carries the scent of pine, oak, and salt‑sprayed breeze — a reminder of the resilience in the coastal grove where Monterey pines, Coast live oaks, and wind‑shaped cypress stand together against Pacific winds.

Join fellow ombuds at the 53rd Annual Cal Caucus at Asilomar Conference Center as we gather to explore The Grove & the Understory — a theme rooted in stability, interlocking support, and the sheltered “quiet zone” beneath the forest canopy. In nature, the understory refers to the layer of smaller trees, shrubs, and ground vegetation that grows beneath the taller canopy trees, creating a calm and protected environment that supports the health of the whole woodland.  

As Ombuds, we are the stewards of that stillness. In seasons of institutional uncertainty, we provide the canopy that shelters the individual voice and the rooted stability that keeps a community grounded. Like this forest understory, our work as ombuds creates space where voices can be heard, perspectives can take root, and communities can find grounding even amid change.

Come deepen your roots with colleagues, share insights that sustain us, and discover how to cultivate peace and grounded support in the wind-swept landscapes we navigate together.