Meet with the Student Ombuds for confidential, impartial advice
The Office of the Student Ombuds offers confidential, one-on-one appointments with students to ensure that university processes related to students operate as fairly as possible, including academic policies and procedures, academic/non-academic misconduct allegations, interpersonal issues, and financial issues related to student programs. The Ombuds provides impartial advice tailored to the student's specific case, and may make referrals to other services as needed. Students are encouraged to contact the Ombuds as soon as they identify a problem and can't readily come up with a solution—before the problem gets worse and deadlines have passed. No issue is too small! Faculty and staff can also request support on how to address a student-related issue and protect the fairness and integrity of their decisions.
Service Offerings
- Grade appeals
- Student/applicant discpline
- Academic standing (required to withdraw, probation, appeals, may not continue, etc.)
- Student-supervisor, student-professor, and peer conflicts
- Breakdowns in graduate programs
- Intellectual property issues
- Professional practice concerns (including internships & practicums)
- Residence disputes
- Academic misconduct (including plagiarism, AI use, cheating, etc.)
- Non-academic misconduct (discrimination, harassment, sexual & gender-based violence, property damage, unauthorized use)
Location
Hours of Operation
September - April: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
May - August: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (no in-person services)
Ombuds staff may see students outside of regular hours based on factors, such as being out of the country.
May - August: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (no in-person services)
Ombuds staff may see students outside of regular hours based on factors, such as being out of the country.
What to Expect
Ombuds services are confidential. While every case is unique, the Ombuds will typically ask you questions to learn more about your situation, then help you understand the applicable university regulations, provide impartial perspectives in a dispute, and recommend potential courses of action (but not make decisions on your behalf). The Ombuds can also help you prepare for academic/discipline meetings and formal hearings, as well as attend them to provide support and ensure you are fairly treated throughout the process.Cost
No charge for serviceSpecial Conditions
Available to all students, including undergraduates, graduates, students on placements or practicums, medical residents, postdoctoral fellows etc.Audience: Undergraduate students, Graduate students, Instructors, Researchers, Employees
Home Campus: All
Delivery format: In-Person: North Campus, Virtual/Phone Meeting, Email/Ticket/Form
Access: By Appointment
Service Provider: Office of the Student Ombuds
Language: English