Roles and Responsibilities of the Student Ombudsman

A Student Ombudsman always 

- Listens to students’ problems.

- Creates a safe speaking environment.

- Receives suggestions, requests and complaints.

- Conducts an unbiased and unofficial investigation of problems.

- Provides students with information on University rules and policies.

- Analyses, defines, considers options and provides guidance.

- Acting as an unbiased intermediary between students and faculty/staff, s/he offers solutions using unofficial trails.

- Teaches students efficient ways to deal with problems.

- Reviews student request forms and letters; provide students with information on how to fill out official forms and write formal letters.

A Student Ombudsman never

- Acts on explicit or implicit bias.

- Changes student grades or University rules.

- Provides legal advice.

- Takes action without explicit permission or consent.

- Takes on tasks/responsibilities outside his/her role to avoid conflicts that can damage his/her position at the University.

Solution Process

- Suggestions, requests and complaints submitted to the Student Ombudsman’s Office are thoroughly examined.

- After an unofficial investigation, Student Ombudsman considers options in accordance with University rules and policies.

- If deemed appropriate, Student Ombudsman refers student to the relevant office/person that is directly related to the student’s request.

- Student Ombudsman talks to the relevant office/person that is directly related to the student’s request to reach a consensus about the request. Accordingly, Student Ombudsman will respond in the shortest possible time.

- Student Ombudsman may offer suggestions to other units of the University in terms of improving their decision-making process.