The University of Hawai'i-Manoa Ombuds Office issued its first annual report, analyzing more than 350 cases the ombudsman dealt with between August 2006 and August 2007.

According to the nine-page report, students were more likely to seek help from the Ombuds Office, with 62 percent of cases being initiated by students. Less than 40 percent of the cases came from faculty, staff and administrators.

The most common issues involved housing, registration, grading, advising and employment, said Manoa Ombudsman Neil Milner in his report.

Many UH conflicts involve people who have worked together for a long time and will likely continue to have to work together, the report said.

These are especially difficult disputes to resolve, but doing so is essential, Milner said.

The report offers recommendations on how to deal with these issues.

Finally, according to the report, there are many skilled and helpful problem-solvers at all levels of UHM.

The report is available at www.manoa.hawaii.edu/ombuds or in hard copy.