TFDL

Role of the Student Ombuds

What does an Ombuds do?

The Student Ombuds Office offers confidential and impartial support and coaching to current students.  We will: 

  • Listen to your concern 
  • Discuss and help clarify the issue you are navigating 
  • Help to brainstorm and evaluate options that you are considering 
  • Help you to understand university regulations and policies, including appeals processes 
  • Offer referrals to other campus resources if needed 
  • Serve as an impartial advisor to help you solve problems, resolve conflicts, and work to achieve fair outcomes 
  • Offer coaching to help you prepare for a difficult conversation with your supervisors, administration or instructors 
  • Facilitate informal resolution processes, with your consent 
  • Operate according to the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons Standards of Practice 

What the Student Ombuds Office doesn’t do:

  • Acts as an advocate for you or for the University of Calgary 
  • Makes decisions for you  
  • Offers legal advice  
  • Offers counseling; we can refer you to mental health and wellbeing supports 
  • Serves as a witness or representative in any judicial or administrative proceeding 
  • Serves as an entity to notify the University of Calgary regarding the filing of a legal claim 
  • Assists non-students with issues  

Can we help?  Complete our intake form and the Student Ombuds will review your concern and contact you. 

Principles of the Ombuds Office

Confidential

The Student Ombuds treats all student information and concerns as confidential. Many students find it helpful to explore options and strategies privately before deciding whether to take formal steps. The Student Ombuds provides confidential advising in supporting this decision‑making process. 

Impartial

The Student Ombuds is impartial and does not advocate for individual students or for the University of Calgary. Instead, the Ombuds advocates for fairness and works with students to identify options and opportunities that support fair and equitable outcomes. 

Informal

The Student Ombuds focuses on resolving concerns through informal means whenever possible. They may inquire into whether appropriate procedures were followed and, when necessary, make recommendations or raise identified gaps or shortcomings in policies, regulations, or procedures with institutional decision makers.

Independent

While the Student Ombuds Office operates within the administrative oversight of the Office of the Vice‑Provost (Student and Campus Experiences), the office functions independently in its work.