| The University Ombudsman is a senior faculty member appointed
by the President to assist students in resolving conflicts or disputes
within the university. The ombudsman also helps staff members,
instructors and administrators sort through university rules and
regulations that might apply to specific issues and concerns. In
addition to helping members of the MSU community resolve disputes, the
ombudsman also is charged with identifying MSU policies that might need
revision. The ombudsman carries out these duties in a neutral, confidential, informal and independent manner. Campus disputes usually fall into two broad categories: academic and non-academic. The former includes instruction (e.g., grades, exams, academic dishonesty), registration (e.g., holds, late registration and drops and adds), academic hearings (e.g., grievance and disciplinary hearings) and academic status (e.g., admission to university or college, voluntary withdrawal and recess). Non-academic matters include financial aid (e.g., loans and work-study), housing (e.g., contract termination), and special problems (e.g., medical concerns and disruptive students). Following a request for assistance, the ombudsman will take one or more of the following actions: (1) listen carefully to the concern, (2) explain relevant student rights and responsibilities, (3) review relevant university policies or regulations, (4) suggest fair and equitable options, (5) refer the individual to an appropriate university resource or (6) investigate, when necessary. The ombudsman also assists all parties involved in academic disciplinary hearings or academic grievance hearings, the final step in a student’s effort to resolve a dispute. Note: The ombudsman is not an advocate for any group on campus; instead, the ombudsman is an advocate for fairness. The ombudsman also does not provide legal service, represent students or instructors at academic grievance or disciplinary hearings or mediate disputes between or among faculty or between faculty and administrators. The Office of the Ombudsman does not accept formal complaints, or notice, for the university. Members of the MSU community may contact the ombudsman in person, by e-mail, by phone or through the online “problem form” that appears on the home page. Please remember that e-mail is not recommended for confidential discussions. |
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