Online
Ombudsman
An
ombudsman is a person who investigates student complaints against the
college or its functionaries. The role of the Online Ombudsman is to
ensure that students receive fair and equitable treatment within the
College. The Ombudsman is not an advocate for students but rather an
advocate for fair processes. The Ombudsman considers all sides of a
question in an objective and impartial manner then determines how best
to help bring about a non-adversarial solution.
The
Online Ombudsman's Office operates confidentially. What this means is
we do not disclose who used -- or did not use the office. We make the
promise of confidentiality to the College community in the hopes that
individuals will feel safe using this service. However, the Online Ombudsman's
Office cannot guarantee confidentiality when:
1.
The office is made aware of a crime.
2.
The Ombudsman's Office is told by a user of the Office about the intent
of an individual to harm him/herself or another.
When
should I contact the Online Ombudsman?
Contact
the Online Ombudsman for the following:
1. If you are unsure about what campus resources are available to
help you in you situation.
2. If you have experienced delay, error, discourtesy, etc. by a campus
unit.
3. If you feel a College policy, procedure or regulation has been
applied unfairly.
4. If you have a conflict with another party and need help in facilitating
a resolution.
5. If you need coaching on how to address a sensitive subject with
another party.
6. If you don't know who to talk to, where to turn, or what to do
concerning a College-related problem or complaint.
Steps
you should take before contacting the Online Ombudsman
Before
contacting the Online Ombudsman, you should speak directly with the
person who is involved with your concern or question and try to resolve
the issue. If you are not satisfied with the handling of your concern
or question, and the person involved is a teacher, you should next speak
with the department head to whom your teacher reports. Otherwise, you
should consult with your Academic Advisor about the recourses available
to you if it concerns an academic issue. If the issue is non-academic,
you should then next speak to the manager of the unit involved.
If
you are still not satisfied with the handling of your concern or question,
you can speak to a Dean for in a faculty issue. In an issue involving
an administrative office (i.e., Counselling Center, Financial Aid, grades,
or student health, etc.), you can speak to the Registrar.
If all of the above avenues fail to resolve your concern or question
to your satisfaction, you have the right to pursue the matter further
by contacting the Ombudsman.
How
to contact the Online Ombudsman
To
contact the Online Ombudsman,
complete
and send the form below.
