What is Ombuds
鈥淲hat is Ombudsman?鈥� 盲mb蓹dzm蓹n
The word 鈥渙mbudsman鈥� (om-budz-man) comes from the Swedish language and means 鈥渞epresentative.鈥� A Student Ombudsperson (interchangeable term for 鈥渙mbudsperson鈥�: 鈥渙mbuds鈥� or 鈥渙mbudsman鈥�) is a designated administrator who offers 无忧短视频 students impartial, informal, and confidential support to assist them with a variety of issues and concerns.
It is appropriate to contact the Student Ombudsperson when you:
- aren鈥檛 sure what policies or procedures apply to your situation
- would like to discuss a sensitive issue/concern
- feel that you are being treated unfairly
- feel like your concerns are circling around and not getting resolved
- don鈥檛 know whom to ask or where to go
The Student Ombudsperson can help by:
- Sorting through a situation
- Helping you define your goals as it relates to your concern
- Exploring options for resolving your concern
- Discussing and providing resources
- Listening and recommending the next steps
- Interpreting university policies
- Advising you on how to effectively communicate about your concern to others who are involved
The Student Ombudsperson does:
- Advocate for fair and equitable application of University procedures
- Assist in clarifying issues
- Brainstorm and explore options
- Communicate informally and off-the-record
- Explain University policies and procedures
- Listen your concern confidentially
- Provide a safe place for discussion
- Provide information about campus resources
- Provide referrals to other services or resources
- Track trends and general issues at a campus level
The Student Ombudsperson (does not):
- Doesn't advocate for a particular outcome
- Doesn't advocate for individuals or take sides
- Doesn't change policies, procedures, or make academic/administrative decisions
- Doesn't conduct formal investigations
- Doesn't keep records identifying individuals who meet with the Student Ombudsperson
- Doesn't maintain confidentiality when there is a disclosure of suspected discrimination or harassment on the basis of a protected characteristic such as sex or gender, which includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and related retaliation
- Doesn't maintain confidentiality when there is any imminent risk of serious harm or danger to individual or community
- Doesn't participate or testify in formal procedures including legal proceedings
- Doesn't provide legal advice
- Doesn't share information with others without permission
Note: the content of this page was adapted from and .
